Kiva loan client making "gari" in Ghana!

As a Kiva Fellow in Ghana, Africa, I am learning so much about how a small loan to impoverished, yet determined, entrepreneurs can initiate positive changes in their lives. I visited Hannah at her place of business, for example, and as she made the "gari" that she sells, she told me how the loan she received has helped her to make enough profit to buy her children shoes, and better clothes than ever before. This is a small, but significant change for Hannah, and she feels proud that she has been able to accomplish this. In this short video, you will see Hannah hard at work, roasting gari. Gari is made from cassavas. The cassava is grated, and the sap is squeezed out and then it is dried in the sun. Then it is roasted in a pan over a fire, chopping it and stirring it to keep it separated and turn it into a fine texture that is similar to cornmeal. It can also be milled to become even finer. The work is very hot and smoky due to the wood fires. Gari is used for several popular dishes in Ghana. It is particularly loved as a sort of sweet porridge when milk, sugar and sometimes peanuts are added. Most students in Ghana carry this to school as a snack. It is also used as a sort of dumpling that is added to soups and stews. It is sprinkled on top of a dish called red-red, as well, which is made with beans and fried plantains. Mmmmmm!

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Kiva
• www.kiva.org
• Kiva Fellow
• microfinance
• microloans
• Ghana
• Gari
• cassava
• entrepreneur
• microlending

[Thamikaroxy]

@Beautiesface25 To get to the point of her 'stirring' the fine powder, she harvested the manioc, washed it, peeled and let it dry in the sun for days (in the US, if it's not hot enough, you can thinly slice in a food processor and put the in a dehydrator. then she pounded the with a GIANT mortar and pestle....in the US you can use a blender or something like that... I wish I knew where else the video poster was going with this, but since it's not described, it's hard to tell...

[Probesoul]

That food can cure cancer, sickle-cell disease and possibly cystic fibrosis.... it's made from the cassava root which is rich in vitamin B17... vitamin B17 (laetrile) is banned by the FDA and it is found in bitter almond (banned in the US) the seeds of apricot, apple, peach and it is found in the above... B17 it's also rich in African yams... The big pharma/government dirty secret to keep everyone sick and dying just the way they like it.

[Beautiesface25]

I wish there was more explaination about the video ... Like what they were doing and why.