The Little Way
The project „The Little Way“ is inspired by the patron saint of the Theresian Sisters, Thérèse of Lisieux. It is intended to express a commitment to helping the community in everyday life through small acts and service. Specifically with regard to the project in Malawi, the project comprises the following levels:
Help for Self-Help
A community of the Theresian Sisters is trained to integrate egg-laying hen keeping into their daily lives. For this purpose, premises in the community are prepared and the sisters are trained practically. The eggs are used for the sisters’ own consumption and sold locally. In this way, the sisters generate a small income that can be used for the next levels.
Community Engagement
To increase the nutritional value of the local population while simultaneously strengthening their economic viability, people in the neighboring villages are offered the following: at the next harvest, they deliver 4 sacks of maize (the main crop and staple food) to the sisters. In return, they receive three laying-ready hens and feed for one year. The laying hens produce one egg every day and strengthen people’s nutrition with the product. After one year, the project is started again with the next harvest.
Education Start
The families taking part in the project are additionally offered the opportunity to take part two to three times per week in a low-threshold educational program provided by the sisters. During this time, children who are not of school age are introduced to education, adults receive instruction on everyday issues, value education, and accessible teaching. In addition, all children receive a special egg drink every day.
