Isaias, 9, lives in Peru, a country in South America. Many people in Peru get unwell because they can't afford to buy the right balance of foods they need to stay healthy. Isaias' dad got an illness called TB (tuberculosis) because his diet was bad and he worked long days. This was bad news for the family, as they needed the money he earned to survive. But a Christian Aid partner helped him out by giving him guinea pigs! ...And teaching him to breed them.

Guinea pigs are pregnant for about 80 days. This means they can have babies about four times a year. They have 2-4 babies each time. ‘We don’t give them names: there are so many of them. I think we must have about 60,’ says Isaias.

‘I look after the guinea pigs and I stroke them. When they escape we have to find them and catch them and put them back in the hutch with the others.’

Isaias' family can sell the guinea pigs they breed - for 32 soles each.  This is about £5, which really helps. And because the guinea pigs make lots of noise they advertise themselves!

In Peru, it's normal to eat guinea pig - it's actually very good for you. When meat is too expensive to buy the family eat their own guinea pigs. Isaias’ dad says it tastes delicious, even better than eating beef!

Isaias loves the guinea pigs so he’s not always keen to eat them for dinner. ‘I don’t like eating it, but sometimes I like it a bit. I prefer beans and rice with fried banana.'