The Pig Program

Vanessa tends Chum Chum Chum's babies, making sure each one get some milk. Mom is fast asleep and snoring.

There an old adage that if you give a man a fish, he eats for a day, but if you teach a man to fish, he'll eat every day. Working on that principle, Liz McKie and Melissa Bazely of Dove Missions began the pig program in Nuevo Renacer.

In this pilot program, a female pig was bought for a family, who was taught how to take care of it, as well as a pen and food. When the piglets reach about two months, the farmer gives one female pig back to Dove Missions and can sell the other piglets (for about $30 for a female, about $25 for a male).

Then Dove Missions sets up another family with the new pig, and when she matures, she'll be bred and and the cycle continues. It's a way of providing income and food for the community. Pork, by the way, is a real delicacy here, with a pig roast the favoured Christmas dinner.

Late last week, momma pig, who they've named Chum Chum Chum, gave birth to 15 piglets (one died at birth, the other on Sunday). So, after the farmer gives one female back to Dove Missions, he'll have 12 piglets to sell.

 

Comments

[Lali]

Extremely cute piggies!! Great photos!!