Budding Avian Empire

Vision 2025

With summer finally here and 2016 just around the corner, apart from breaking out the BBQ and the jandals (or thongs for our Australian friends), we thought we'd take just a moment to share our vision for 2016 and beyond.

Social entrepreneurialism is all about using the tools of business to deliver the most positive social impact. We've set an audacious, yet achievable, annual earnings target of US$457 and a savings target of US$450 for an average franchisee by their third year of part-time chicken raising. To put that in perspective, and by way of comparison, a large well-resourced international development organisation has raised average incomes for people in Burundi by just US$65 per year through market access initiatives.

With 65 franchisees enrolled in the programme so far and the new micro-farm set up we plan to enroll 195 franchisees by the end of 2016, and then launch a second hub in another Cambodian province by 2017.

By 2025, our target is 15,000 franchisees
working their own way out of ultra-poverty. 

We've recently put together a snappy energetic business plan to aid our expansion. If you know someone who has difficulty deciding which luxury house to spend the weekend at, but who also wants to do some social good by backing a fresh business approach to development, please do drop us a line!

Something to chirp about

Thanks to the generosity of principal funder TALKINGtech Foundation, the micro-farm is now operational...

All seven production coops & feed storage area are now complete, the water supply & plumbing system has been set up, electricity supply connected, and the fencing is underway. The move to the new farm hub and infrastructure set up has meant production's been on hold for several months but franchisees are once again rearing chickens - and we're already raising the fourth of seven batches of baby chicks in our new daily-sales supply system.

Sounds messy but daily-sales is the 'glue' holding our new production model together and the key to our expansion and sustainability. Local markets demand daily supply and with the micro-farm we now have the capacity to achieve daily supply through both franchisee and farm supply. With around 1,200 chickens each month to sell now, Phirun's been busy building relationships with buyers. So far we've got two market stall customers lined up for the first sales in early December. Not quite an avian empire yet but we're well on the way!

Grateful thanks to TALKINGtech Foundation and the farm appeal donors who made the dream of a new farm a reality. 

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​Volunteer Vibe - Gary Bishop

​Huge thanks to building hero Gary (pictured left with Phirun & DyYat). He recently returned from Chhouk where his creative skills were put to use building this mighty water tower, an instrumental part of the new farm. Helped out by Phrun and DyYat, Gary mastered the solid structure capable of withstanding one tonne in weight (that's the weight of a polar bear) a true feat of stamina in mid-30C heat. 

The water tower is part of a sustainable supply system which pipes gravity-fed water to each farm coop to hydrate young chicks & prevent cross-contamination between coops. Gary enjoyed working with local staff and is keen to return to help out again. Gary also generously donated tools to the farm and local builders who have few tools of their own. Thanks also go to Dave Champion who expertly designed the 1000 litre tower & water system. 

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Make a difference not just a living. Unknown

Happiness. People spend their whole lives searching for it. Well that search just got a whole lot easier. And it's not just us saying it, new research suggests that having a sense of purpose in life is one of three key things that brings sustained happiness.

So don't be chicken...if you've got useful skills and you'd like to gain purpose by giving your time please email us [email protected]

Happy summer & thanks for your support,
 Gerard & Hana, co-founders.