SIERRA LEONE - $4,900
Gari and Foofoo Production
Project Coordinator: James Sojay Koroma

TDWPWD is a current partner. This project enables them to meet, starting with sixty women, the rapidly growing need which can not be met by the current project's funding. The project is located in the rural area outside the town of Mile 91.

The sixty members will be subdivided into four groups with one machine assigned to each group. The group harvests cassava from their garden and brings it to the processing site. Each of the women is necessary for a particular part of production which makes cassava into gari cloth. To make the foofoo, the women grind the cassava and allow it to ferment before it is ready for sale in 3-4 days. The processing machines will belong to the group rather than to individual members. Each group is expected to earn $260 per month and repay $20. Each woman will receive $15 per month income.

Bob (RSWR Board member) and Lydia (his daughter) Marsalli visited in January 2008. Originally, this project supported small-scale business of grain, vegetable and cash crop sales. Through active engagement in business, our village is now a business center where a trade fair is observed every Friday. The number of members in the organization has grown, most women can now send their children to school and some can approach banks for savings.

Project Completed: June 30, 2009