For many years, Mpaka Refugee Camp has had a special place in the hearts of Waterford students and teacher, who visit the camp three times a year carrying out a variety of activities to support its inhabitants.

In 2013, as part of this commitment, the school decided to contribute part of the money raised during a fundraising event to a sustainable chicken rearing project at Mpaka Refugee camp. After identifying an old shed at the camp, the work began to turn it into an area to rear day-old chicks. They purchased fencing, lights, feeders and feed, heating elements, locks, sawdust and all the other materials needed to start the project. Once the shed had been converted, they purchased 200 day-old chicks. The development committee at the camp was in charge of the project and the first cycle was very successful. They only lost 12 chicks and the rest were reared, slaughtered and sold. With the money from this they were then able to buy 400 day old chicks. The second cycle was even more successful and they sold all these chicks and bought a further 1000 chicks. Following this, they approached Waterford to help them buy a deep freeze as once slaughtered they needed to freeze the chickens.

This project has been going successfully for 3 years. The chicken committee supplies the refugees at the camp with produce, and sells the rest to people from the surrounding community.