Jan 21, 2011,

      Hello from Ghana! 

The time is up! Thank you to all of you who donated, and all of you who passed this link along. This fund-raiser was a big success, and we will begin work on the projects right away.

We are currently in Accra, the capital of Ghana, about to set off for Tapko this week. The widows of Tapko are ready for us and excited to begin work on the projects. We will begin building beds for the dry-season farming right away, and shortly after will begin planting the acacia trees. They are prepared to water everything by hand for the remainder of the dry season until April or May. 

If the funds are sufficient, we will help the women purchase the grinding mill asap. If not, some friends in Canada have agreed to help raise a little more so that we will have enough to purchase it before we leave the country in a few months.

If you would still like to donate, but missed the dead-line on here, email us at tapko.collective@gmail.com.

Once again, thank you all for donating. We will keep you updated on the progress of the projects.

      Greg and Fabienne

The Tapko Widow's Collective is a group of over 70 women living in the village of Tapko, in northwest Ghana, who are dedicated to creating sustainable and empowering solutions to poverty in their community. An entirely grassroots, village-organized group, they have identified specific needs and goals to continue their process toward self-sufficiency. In 2003 the collective began selling direct-trade Shea butter to supply Tapko with a sustainable source of income. Since then they have purchased health care and school supplies.

      The Widow's Collective is currently raising funds for three projects which, along with the Shea butter income, will provide them with increased economic and environmental stability:

        1. Acacia Tree Planting - In northwest Ghana, people rely on firewood for cooking. In some villages Shea trees are being cut down, as a last resort, for firewood. Since Tapko relies on Shea trees to make and sell Shea butter, the villagers do not want this trend to take root in their community. To conserve Shea trees, the community plans to purchase and plant 5000 Acacia trees. Acacia is a robust variety which survives in desert climates, grows quickly,and can be cut for firewood 3 years after planting. 

        2. Grinding Mill - They plan to purchase a grinding mill which will allow them to grind Shea more efficiently, as well as process food crops, such as millet and corn.

        3. Dry Season Farming - People in nearby regions of Ghana have developed methods of growing more food during the long dry season using container gardening, improved water storage, and drought resistant plant varieties. Tapko would like to buy seeds and equipment in order to begin applying dry farming techniques in their community. They would also like to bring someone to the village who is experienced with these methods of agriculture.

     The funds we raise will be entirely used by the Tapko Widow's Collective to work on these 3 projects. $3000 is our goal, but by raising more than $3000 the people of Tapko will be able to plant more Acacia trees, an act which will protect the region's Shea. From January through June 2011 we will be traveling to Ghana to work with the people of Tapko as these initiatives are carried out.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer tax receipts for donations at this point. To do so, we would need to be a registered non profit, which neither us or the Widows' Collective officially are.

Thank you for supporting people making locally-inspired change,

Fabienne and Greg