By Jeff Lee, CBF field personnel
When people talk about changing lives, they often picture grand gestures—massive donations, big events or sweeping policies. But sometimes, change begins with something small and feathered. For CBF and the residents of Poraka, a group home for adults with developmental delays in Skopje, Macedonia, that “something” was chickens.
Over the past few years, CBF has worked alongside Poraka to build a rhythm of life centered around growth, care and connection. Together, they’ve cultivated greenhouses full of fruits and vegetables—bright tomatoes swelling under the glass, rows of leafy greens tended by careful hands. Last year, that partnership took another step forward when more than 150 chickens arrived at Poraka, marking a new chapter in their shared story of empowerment and compassion.
The chickens became teachers. They offered lessons not found in books—patience, routine and the gentle art of nurturing. Residents learned how to feed and care for these animals, how to collect eggs and how to turn daily tasks into acts of stewardship. Every basket of eggs represented independence, purpose and contribution. Some were eaten; others were sold to locals in the community. Profits from those sales flowed back to Food Bank Macedonia, fueling the cycle of giving and ensuring other families in need could find nourishment too.
Then came another wave of new life—100 baby chicks, tiny bundles of possibility. As they grew, something unexpected revealed itself: half were males. They didn’t lay eggs, but they brought another kind of blessing. In a world where nothing should go to waste, these roosters became a source of protein and sustenance for Poraka’s residents. It was a practical solution born out of community wisdom—turning a challenge into opportunity.
This spring, several of the male chickens were prepared for a communal feast. By the time the day arrived, the air was thick with anticipation and the courtyard buzzed with energy. Fires crackled as chickens roasted, filling the air with the unmistakable scent of home-cooked celebration. Over 50 residents gathered around tables, smiling, laughing, linking arms in joy. I was there—an observer turned participant in something profoundly human.
Once the plates were cleared, tables were pushed to the side, a familiar rhythm took over. Macedonian music spilled through the space; feet tapped, hands clapped, laughter echoed. There were traditional dances, unpolished yet perfect, filled with warmth and inclusion. For a few beautiful hours, the barriers that often separate people melted away, leaving only shared humanity.
That moment—a meal shared, a dance begun, a story continued—captures why food is more than sustenance. It is community. It is dignity. It is love in motion. From chickens to meals to laughter, the journey at Poraka reminds us that feeding people is not just about nourishment; it’s about belonging. And sometimes, all it takes to build hope is a handful of seeds, a caring heart and the humble gift of chickens.