When Mary's family was chosen to become part of a fish farming project, they never imagined it would lead to better health, surplus food and a steady income.

Sponsored child Mary lives with her family in Zambia. Several years ago her single mother Teresa was chosen to participate in a fish farming project as part of World Vision's development activities in her community.

Community leaders identified some land for Teresa to use and World Vision taught her how to construct fish ponds and raise fish. She was given 220 small fingerlings of red-breasted bream to kick off her venture.

"Before fish farming I grew beans, cassava and maize," says Teresa. "My income was 50,000 Kwacha (A$17) per month."

Teresa's monthly income doubled when she began selling the fish she was raising, and with this extra money she was able to expand her vegetable plot and sell the surplus produce.

"With the extra income I now earn I buy books for the children, uniforms, school fees and buy food and fertiliser for maize production. I also buy vegetable seeds and feed for the fish.”

Her one pond has grown to four, housing over 1,000 fish. "When I produce enough fish World Vision comes and gets 220 and passes them on to another beneficiary," Teresa explains of the revolving loan system benefiting many other families in the community.

Teresa was also loaned ducks whose droppings are used to fertilise the ponds. They have since produced offspring which Teresa is keeping for financial security.

Teresa says her family's wellbeing is greatly improved because of the fish farm."Before I could not have imagined I would be a fish farmer and that my children would have enough to eat and that we would have surplus food or that I would be able to afford to pay for school fees," Teresa says joyfully.

Helping families like Mary's generate a reliable source of income so that they can meet their basic needs and save for the future is often an important element of World Vision development programs supported through child sponsorship.