Member Welfare Project and Easter Sunday

Member Welfare Project

Last Thursday (April 13, 2017) Elder Biven had the opportunity to accompany President Lucilino Mendonca on visits to four of the ten families that are participating in the Praia Stake Member Welfare project. President Mendonca is the 2nd counselor in the Mission Presidency and also the Director of Self-Reliance for the southern islands.  




The families were all doing well with their chickens.  Some coops were in "backyards"; some were located on roofs; and some were kept in a nearby valley.  


















In some cases members had even expanded their flocks, making use of adjoining areas.



Eggs can be sold for 15 - 18 Cabo Verdian escudos each (100 cv escudos is about $1 US), or about $2 US per dozen.  Even after paying for feed and setting aside money for replacement chickens, a family with 20 chickens can earn enough to make a meaningful improvement in their ability to support themselves.

Saturday we had the privilege of visiting another family.  This coop was in Achada Grande de Frente which is the most eastern neighborhood in Praia on the roof of a home on a bluff overlooking the seaport.  There was a beautiful breeze as we climbed onto the roof to take a look.  Sister Biven says that it was a tender mercy that she had on her longest blue skirt so she could carefully and modestly climb the ladder.





President Mendonca and Elder Biven examining the rooftop coop.

And here are the residents.  Clean and healthy chickens.  The owner hauls water up to the coop frequently and they have enjoyed being able to sell eggs every week.  We stood in great respect for the coop owner, who after showing us the coop, was walking to church to help clean the building, just as members do at home.  His work was not yet done for the day.






Domingos and his wife, the owners of the coop, took us to see the view of the seaport from the bluff near their home.  It was enjoyable to spend a few moments with them.  In our broken Portuguese we found out that they have three grown children, just as we do.  And one granddaughter.

It seems that chickens will be a part of our future as we are supporting local priesthood leadership in their desires to start a similar project in the Assomada District which covers the center and north of the island of Santiago, and also also in the Fogo stake which encompasses the island of Fogo.

Easter Sunday

Today is Easter, the day when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is risen!   Here is a photo of our Easter breakfast, we have figured out how to source all kinds of things these last two weeks.  We enjoyed eggs which were a gift from one of the chicken coop owners, ham and Parmesan cheese from the Italian store..... (when we bought it their computer was down and so they told us to take it and come back later to pay.  We did!). Delicious, local fresh papaya and little Portuguese custards from the bakery.  And of course, filtered water.

After breakfast we walked to church and met our Mission Ward Family.  We loved singing beautiful hymns such as "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" in Portuguese.  The language is so much easier to speak and understand when it is accompanied by music and by the Holy Spirit.

We are happy to be in Cabo Verde.  There have been challenges and we are certain that there will be many more.  During times of challenge, we do feel your prayers and we are grateful for them.  Thank-you.