A 12-year-old boy in rural Ethiopia has been hailed by British humanitarian organisations after he tried to register his sick chicken at a local hospital, a gesture that underscores the deep bond between children and their livestock in communities where animals are vital to survival. The incident took place in the town of Metu, in the Oromia region, where the boy, identified as Bontu Jima, arrived at the gates of the Metu Primary Hospital carrying a limp hen. Witnesses say he approached the reception desk and asked to see a doctor for the bird, which he described as having stopped eating.
Hospital staff, initially taken aback, gently explained that they could not treat animals and directed him to a nearby veterinary clinic. However, the boy’s actions quickly drew attention on social media and among aid workers. The UK-based charity Send a Cow, which operates in the region, praised his “instinctive compassion” in a statement, noting that many rural Ethiopian children are raised to care for livestock as part of family survival strategies.
“This boy’s actions reflect the care and responsibility that children learn from a young age. It is a sign of resilience and empathy,” the statement read. The boy’s father later told local media that the chicken had been treated by a vet and was recovering.
The story has been widely shared online, with many commentators expressing admiration for the boy’s determination. No official comment has been issued by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, but a representative of the hospital said such incidents are not uncommon, as boundaries between human and animal healthcare can blur in remote areas. The episode highlights broader challenges in Ethiopia, where veterinary services are often scarce.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, Ethiopia has one of the lowest densities of veterinarians in Africa, with fewer than 1,000 qualified vets for a livestock population of more than 60 million. UK aid agencies have used the story to promote their work in supporting both community health and veterinary outreach. “It is a reminder that development is about more than just infrastructure; it is about understanding how communities live and work,” said a spokesperson for the Department for International Development.
The boy has been offered a tour of a veterinary facility by the local government, and a small crowdfunding campaign has raised funds to support his family’s livestock. For now, Bontu Jima remains a local celebrity, his chicken back on its feet.
