A 12-year-old boy in rural Ethiopia attempted to admit a sick chicken to a local hospital, prompting commendation from a UK charity for his empathy and resourcefulness.
According to reports, the boy, whose name has not been released, arrived at the hospital in the town of Debre Berhan carrying the chicken under his arm. Hospital staff initially assumed he was seeking treatment for himself, but the boy insisted that the bird required medical attention. He explained that the chicken had not eaten for days and was showing signs of illness. The boy had no money for veterinary care and believed the hospital could help.
Staff at the facility, run by the UK-based charity Project HOPE, did not turn him away. Instead, they provided basic first aid to the chicken, including rehydration and food, and advised the boy on how to care for it. The bird survived and was returned to the boy.
The charity, which has operated in Ethiopia for more than 20 years, issued a statement commending the boy's compassion. "This young boy's actions demonstrate a profound sense of responsibility and care for his animal," the statement read. "It reminds us that in communities where access to veterinary care is limited, children often take on adult burdens."
The incident has drawn attention to the challenges faced by rural Ethiopian communities, where livestock are integral to livelihoods and emotional wellbeing. Ethiopia has one of the lowest densities of veterinarians in the world, with fewer than 20 for a livestock population exceeding 70 million.
Project HOPE said it would explore how to better support animal health in the region, potentially through training of community health workers to recognise basic signs of illness in animals.
The boy's identity has been withheld for privacy reasons.
