Jobs for 250 Impoverished Families in Swaziland

Trying to find resources where the CHIPS (Community Health Intervention Programme Swaziland) program operates that can be marketed outside the community is a challenge. But we have found something that seems to have some appeal in the capital of Mbabane, 120 kilometers away!

Currently, macadamia shells are imported from South Africa and sold through the garden shops as ground cover for flower beds. We have introduced local marula shells into the market and hope to supplant the South African imports.

Marula shells are discarded each year after the marula fruit has been harvested. The left over shells are thrown into ever growing mounds. Having zero value here in Maphiveni, this is an ideal opportunity to create the connection to a market where the shells do have value.

While several groups in the communities CHIPS serves have stepped up, a group from Maphiveni has collected and supplied over eight 50 gallon (220 liter) drums of the shells. We pay E200 (about US $20) per barrel of shells and sell them for E300 in Mbabane (the difference helps cover some of the cost of petrol and maintenance on the trailer [as it is taking a beating on the gravel road and carrying four full barrels at a time]).

In an area that has little to no viable economy, this injection of funds helps the people that supply the shells buy the necessities and things to make their life better.

Continuing to grow the market is a priority as well hiring local Swazi's to promote the opportunity into the different CHIPS communities.

Links:

• Visit our web site!