Kyangwali Women’s Microcredit
Mill Project
Benson Wereje discusses the Mill Project
The 40 members of the Kyangwali Women’s Microcredit Project produce maize, sorghum, rice and g-nuts (peanuts) but have problems accessing the mills which will make their crops more marketable. They want to build a mill within their community. PeopleWeaver will purchase the motorized mill and fund the construction of the shelter where it will be housed. The shelter will be built by MC members. PeopleWeaver will be in partnership with Coburwas Club to provide training in project management, mill maintenance, organizational development and community involvement.
Currently, the women are forced to pay in order to have their grains milled. This is an obvious financial burden which many women cannot afford. Those who cannot pay to have their grain milled must do it by hand for their families. The traditional way of hand-grinding maize takes hours, as opposed to minutes in a mill.
The high-quality milled grains will allow the women to sell their goods at a higher price in the markets. For a reasonable fee, the women will also provide milling services to others in the area. The work the women do with the mill will promote gender equity and their ability to contribute economically to their families' livelihoods. This mill project is an exemplary example of sustainable development. Not just one or a handful of individuals benefit from the mill partnership, but entire communities are lifted up and local economies strengthened. The women will gain business and partnership skills, and confidence, as well as a respected position in the community.
