DR Congo: From Struggle to Hope: How Duck Breeding Transformed Laurette’s Family in Menkao
In Menkao, in the commune of Maluku in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, lives Laurette, 65 years old, together with her three grandchildren: Davina (10), Jibril (9), and Salomon (11). All three are sponsored children in the World Vision Menkao Area Program. Before receiving support, the family faced major difficulties in ensuring the children's schooling and overall well-being.
With very limited resources, the family had no stable means to cover essential expenses such as school supplies, school fees, balanced nutrition, and basic health care. The children were regularly exposed to the risk of school absenteeism and undernutrition, which weakened their learning and development.
The lack of sufficient income directly affected the children’s well-being. Some days, Laurette could not send them to school due to a lack of money. Their diet was poorly diversified, reducing their concentration and energy in class. This situation, shared by many vulnerable families in Menkao, increased the risk of malnutrition and school dropout.
As part of the economic empowerment approaches promoted by World Vision, the family received four ducks to start a small livestock activity. Thanks to the daily care provided by the children, feeding the ducks, cleaning the enclosure, and monitoring the eggs, the ducks multiplied quickly. The family decided to sell four ducks for a total of 80 USD. This money was used to buy school supplies, pay part of the school fees, and support Laurette with essential needs.
The remaining ducks continued to reproduce, providing a source of food through occasional meat consumption, as well as a financial reserve and long-term economic stability through the many ducklings born.
Jibril shares: “I love science and learning about animals. The ducks helped us return to school. I want to become a veterinarian to care for animals.”
Davina adds: “Thanks to the sale of the ducks, I got my notebooks. I love lessons on the human body and I want to become a nurse.”
Salomon concludes: “The ducks taught us that we can succeed even with very little. I want to become an agronomist to help other families.”
The family’s small livestock activity improved household income and strengthened food security thanks to continuous duck reproduction. The family now has several ducklings and young ducks, forming a sustainable nutritional and financial reserve. The children have regained school stability and motivation. At the program level, 2,968 children, including 1,948 girls, have benefited from improved well-being thanks to family economic strengthening initiatives supported by World Vision.
Today, the children pursue their studies with greater peace of mind. Jibril dreams of becoming a veterinarian, Davina wants to become a nurse, and Salomon hopes to become an agronomist.
With deep gratitude, Laurette shares:
“These ducks changed our lives. They feed us, they multiply, and my grandchildren can study. I thank World Vision for this hope.”