Widows Sustainable Business Program
Physical exams of the Tanzanian widows demonstrated medical issues- severe dehydration, malnutrition, aching shoulders, knees, backs, forearms, hands, congestion, cuts, scratched eyes, tremendous stress - the result of long days in the available work of “Rock Crashing”. Days filled breaking boulders into tiny bits by hand for use in construction, earning 2500TSh or $1.50 per day to care for their families.
Sustainable, less physical, more profitable business opportunities in baking, crafts, and sales of vegetables, fruits, and fish are under way. Widows are positioned in small groups which meet regularly for business lessons with MRI Tanzanian Representatives who track progress and profits.
- The business groups provide a buffer for times of illness, and have started savings accounts for use in medical emergency and special needs.
- The new business opportunity of baking is providing jobs and learning through lessons from our MRI Nutritionist for more nutritious recipes and marketing ideas. We are in the process of constructing earth and solar ovens to augment open fire cooking and reduce fuel consumption.
- Women who sell fish, vegetables, fruits and quality hand made crafts are working together for better for purchasing power.
- For those who wish to continue “rock crashing”, sledgehammers, hammers, facemasks and safety glasses have been purchased with MRI stimulus money. This has boosted production, profit and safety.