Access to food is the foundation of progress.

We believe that food security is the cornerstone of not just surviving but thriving. We aim to help rural, farmers, and refugee communities gain access to hens for long-term food security.

Using metrics from the UN's Food and Agricultural Services and starting in Ukraine, we aim to provide households in food-scarce regions with 30-50 chickens. This enables individuals to tap into an essential protein source and ensure they have enough hens and eggs to maintain their stock.

We are also setting up two hubs to reach more people rapidly, promote entrepreneurship, and reduce costs of poultry - thus enabling us to help more people.

What is the breakdown of costs?

Based on current market prices, we estimate each set of chickens and related materials to cost around $1,225 per household. We are working on getting this number down via partnerships and volunteer opportunities, such as building the coops.

The bulk of our funds will go to building 2 hubs, which will provide the annual protein needs for 50 people at a refugee center, support another 33 veteran-led and rural households, and setup a second hub to reduce our long-term costs.

Costs can be broken down into six categories:

The Phoenix Hub - $6,000 for 50 chickens, 20 meat rabbits, incubator, coop, coop insulation, rabbit hutch, nesting boxes, and permaculture garden to supplement livestock and resident requirements.
The Ecostation Hub - $5,000 for 50 chickens, chicken coop, coop insulation, incubator, nesting boxes
Ongoing 2025 Household Support - $1,000 for 30-50 chickens (hens and broilers) for 33+ households
Emergency fund - $2,000 set aside for volunteer evacuation, unexpected expenses or price increases, and similar items.
Educational Support - $600 to the translation of key educational materials to be used by recipients and volunteers in English, Ukrainian, Russian, and Polish to ensure proper livestock care.
Transportation - $400 for the delivery of chickens, materials, etc.

Why chickens?

Chickens require minimal space, provide significant protein through eggs and meat, and can be kept by individuals or larger communities--making them easy to integrate into any living situation. Taking care of animals, including chickens, can also improve mental wellness for individuals with trauma--a common struggle for refugees and displaced persons.

But Project Henrietta has a personal history, too. Named after founder Justin Harrell's pet chicken Henrietta, the project was founded in the refugee camp of Mechande, Uganda, alongside Pathfinder UG partner Honore Ng. The goal was to easily and cost-efficiently improve access to a protein source.

However, COVID put the project on hold.

Why meat rabbits?

Meat rabbits are an incredibly efficient and low-effort source of protein. For example, you need about 20 meat rabbits to support 70% of the protein requirements for 50 people. This is an incredibly affordable method of achieving a replenishing protein source.

Are there special perks for donors?

Donors who gifting $100 or more will receive a limited Checkpoint Chicken Patch.

The first 4 donors who gift $1,200 or more can name one of our 2 chicken coops or 1 rabbit hutch.

FAQ

You are starting the project in Ukraine. What else are you doing there? In the past, we have assisted with refugee evacuations, emergency aid, and medical supply access. We have a two-pronged vision for our programs in Ukraine: Food security through poultry and local NGO support to increase efficiencies and prevent waste.
Are you a registered nonprofit? Yes, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered in the state of Tennessee, EIN 99-5094007.
Is my gift tax deductible? Yes. Effective September 5, 2024, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and your donation should be tax deductible.
Are all of your volunteers also veterans? No. While we do give preference to US military veterans, we do accept civilians. Our founder and the core Pathfinder XGI team are all U.S. military veterans and our volunteer teams are veteran-led.
How can I volunteer? We are prepping a streamlined volunteer system to go live in January. This will allow you to apply to our database to help with domestic and international projects.
I don't have money. How can I help? Sharing with friends, family, and coworkers is the easiest way to make an impact. We also accept in-kind donations for auctions. Please message Kelsey at kelsey@pathfinderxgi.com for more information on how you can help.

Project Henrietta

Sustainable food security