Belize is blessed with the soils and climate to grow abundant fruits and vegetables. Several multi-national companies export these for sale worldwide. But the local market is way under serviced. We want to help each village have a cannery. This is just a micro-enterprise that a person can have where they can fruits and vegetables for local sale. Typically the fruits are ripe for 2 weeks, and then rot. There is a tremendous amount that goes to waste. Then the rest of the year, people go to the store and buy these same fruits and vegetables at a much higher costs. We want to teach canning and business so a family can earn a good living supplying their village with locally grown produce at a very good price.
They get the fruit for free, buy jars from the Mennonite stores, and get the sugar for very little. If they will can during season, they then can sell year round. They need good recipes that they like, and a business plan. This includes teaching them to make a profit besides paying themselves for their labor.
We have worked with Cornerstone High School and they have completed one cycle. Now they need to do it again. We want to take this to different schools, and some mothers, and provide the canner, the plan and the encouragement to stick with it. We look for the entrepreneur in the groups at school. This is a very practical job for someone. We work with them on a sales plan.
The start up kit costs for the canner, fuel, and jars is $200. I even had a mother say she could do this on her wood fire outside her house. The students can design their own labels, and create their marketing. Locals will buy, and tourists/missionaries will buy. Once the process is refined, we may be able to even export some product. Marie Sharp started in her kitchen, and now exports worldwide to Wal-Mart.
If you would like to help, donate $200 for one village. Volunteer to go cook alongside a local and share cooking experience. It is a great relationship building tool. Adopt a village. Help them realize how the Lord has given them an abundance of opportunity.
