Since Paul’s and Brian’s scoping trip to Ghana in June that we reported in the Summer newsletter, the planning and funding of the shea project has progressed significantly. BDL has teamed up with Burro, a Ghana-based developer and distributor of productivity-enhancing innovations, providing the local partner that we seek for all of our projects.

Together, Burro and BDL applied for a grant through Winrock International to develop an improved shea roaster for northern Ghana. In November, we heard the welcome news that Burro and BDL were awarded the grant, which will support half the cost of the $250,000 project. We are now raising matching funds cover the rest.

Initial research suggests that the target population for the project is around 50,000 to 60,000 people in northern Ghana, with the potential to impact many more who process shea in neighboring countries. The project is scheduled to start at the beginning of January and will last two years. During that time, initial field testing and market research will take place, followed by iterations of design, prototyping, and testing. The project will conclude with a pilot run of the final roaster, which will then be manufactured and/or assembled in Ghana. We invite you to consider a gift to support this effort, which will improve the health and livelihoods of so many hard-working women in Africa who make their living by processing shea.

— Brian Gylland