Project Update: Rice Mill
NEWSLETTER SPRING 2010
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In our Spring 2009 newsletter, we wrote about the launch of a grain mill project in Gilgo, a town in the South province of Haiti.
Now a mature project, its continued development illustrates the important relationship between the Lambi Fund of Haiti and community organizations.
Lambi Fund's relationship with the God is All Powerful Organization of Gilgo (ODTPG) actually began several years ago with an ox plowing project, where the Lambi Fund helped ODTPG replace hoes and shovels with oxen and plows.
Thanks to the oxen, community members in Gilgo were able to produce far more rice. As rice production grew, so did the need for milling. Gilgo residents had been taking the four to six hour walk to the nearest rice mill when they came to the Lambi Fund for support in erecting their own.
The Lambi Fund assessed the request, and when the project was deemed feasible, a new partnership was born.
Once the land was bought, the building for the mill was built, the mill was installed, the training was completed, and ODTPG opened the doors to its mill. They charged fair market rates for their service, and community members flocked to the mill in its initial months.
Once the season for milling rice had passed, however, business fell sharply. The members of ODTPG met to consider ways to increase business, ultimately deciding to buy a corn mill as well.
Because corn and rice are milled at different times throughout the year, having both a corn and rice mill has allowed ODTPG to maintain a steady source of income year round, and provided the community with both services locally. Local solutions for local problems.
