As current events seem to break down our sense of ‘normalcy’ around the world, there has never been a better time to build each other up for a brighter future. BamCashea is engaging with more partners with similar goals of empowering women by improving the profits, and processes, around the production of shea butter in Ghana. In the past few months we have reached out to small and large businesses to curate a market for a portion the Norntoma Cooperative’s ethically and sustainably produced shea butter, which will provide capital and stability to their operations while growing their local and national value-added product market. Pure shea butter samples hit the streets of the Pacific Northwest While BamCashea targets some of the roots of social and environmental exploitation in Ghana, by working with African American business owners like Fatimah in Tacoma, WA, we are connecting multiple groups of marginalized people to build each other up. Fatimah has been producing shea butter products and teaching African cultural art and dance forms in Washington State for over 30 years, and prides herself on sourcing shea directly from women in West Africa. Her company – Integrity Solutions – was born out of the need to develop the entrepreneurial mindset and build cultural identity and capacity. Fatimah’s team has modeled one of the premier, solution oriented programs in WA State. BamCashea is proud to connect the Norntoma Cooperative with Integrity Solutions as they continue to grow and connect African Americans to their roots, relatives, and the realities of the supply chain. You can read more about Fatimah and their services at integritysolutions.online Fired up about efficiencyIn addition to working to bring Norntoma’s products to local and international markets, we have continued to work with Burn Design Lab to collaborate on fuel efficiency improvements for equipment involved in the shea process. BDL and BamCashea have similar goals to facilitate local manufacturing and institutional knowledge of fuel efficient roasting and cookstove designs. Local production not only reduces costs of shipping and risks of damage en route, but it also ensures longevity of the equipment (which can be maintained, repaired, and replaced locally), and promotes adoption of sustainable designs in Ghana. Together with BDL and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), we are laying the groundwork for a long term partnership. We have developed baseline efficiency metrics for the shea process that will be used to evaluate the impact of efficient upgrades to the Norntoma Cooperative, and will be holding site visits very soon for students and staff to assess the equipment needs of the cooperative. In each of the avenues we delve, BamCashea remains committed to the empowerment of women, farmers, and the environment. We all have a role to play. Thank you to those who have donated their time, money, and energy to make the world a better place for us all. We appreciate your support and sharing of our efforts.
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September 2021
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