The KYEEMA Foundation is seeking funds for the production and distribution of thermostable I-2 Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine in Ethiopia. Our request for funding can be found at the following website address: http://www.globalgiving.com/pr/700/proj606a.html

This project will benefit poor women and children in Ethiopian villages. Villagers depend on small flocks of scavenging chickens for income and food. Newcastle disease (ND), caused by a virus, is often fatal in unvaccinated chickens and can destroy entire village flocks. The Ethiopian government wants to produce the vaccine. Locally produced thermotolerant I-2 vaccine will protect chickens against ND and helps poor rural women and children by providing a chicken “bank” for use in lean times.

The project will assist the Government Veterinary Laboratory to produce I-2 ND vaccine; then train Government Agricultural Extension staff and interested NGOs how to select and educate community vaccinators to vaccinate chickens. It will also work on building sustainable distribution mechanisms for the vaccine. As a result of this activity, it is hoped that village chicken populations will increase, allowing families to eat more chickens and eggs and women to sell chickens to buy food and pay school fees