Bamidele and Comfort Padonu
Chicken Farmers
Nigeria

Perhaps it would be noteworthy enough that Bamidele and Comfort Padonu of central Nigeria increased their chicken farm from 300 to 1,500 birds with help from Good Seed Enterprise Development, their local Christian microfinance institution. Perhaps one could also note that as they enlarged their business, they used their education to develop some of the best chicken feed on the market that they can now retail to other chicken farmers. But what is even more amazing is the distribution system the Padonus have put in place. The Padonus sell their eggs to over 100 widows and orphans—many of whom were widowed or orphaned by the Muslim-Christian riots that extended from 2001– 2005. The Padonus sell the eggs to their distributors below market prices, enabling the widows and orphans to profit significantly from their resale.

Through their business they are not only helping the widows and orphans generate income but also starting many small egg retail businesses. The Padonus have maintained a very simple standard of living as they practice what James called “true religion.” "Our dream is to open a home for the orphans and a training center for the widows with our profits," noted the Padonus. They have already started building, and it won't be long before that is a dream come true.