The Uplift Project

Zena Britton has spent the last eight years building her cassava business in the community of Wakapal. With hard work, dedication, and long hours spent planting, harvesting, and processing cassava by hand, Zena has managed to support her family despite significant challenges. Each day, she travels to her farm, far from her home, to nurture the cassava plants, which take nearly ten months to mature. Currently, processing cassava involves manually pushing wheelbarrows filled with 200-300 pounds of cassava, followed by a labor-intensive cycle of scraping, grating, washing, and baking. It's physically demanding and time-consuming, limiting her production capacity and income potential. Through a grant from the Uplift Project, Zena plans to purchase a cassava processing mill—a piece of equipment that will drastically reduce the time and labor required to prepare cassava. This investment will allow her to increase production, reduce costs, and grow her business more effectively. With the additional income generated, Zena aims to improve her family's quality of life, ensuring more stability and better educational opportunities for her children. "This grant would be very beneficial to me and my family, " Zena emphasizes. She envisions a future where her thriving business not only sustains her family but also brings prosperity to her community in Wakapal. Your support can help Zena transform her dreams into reality, providing her with the tools needed to build a better future for herself, her family, and her community.

Mario Perreire has spent the last fifteen years honing his craft as a skilled furniture maker in Wakapal, Guyana. Specializing in high-quality, handcrafted furniture such as wardrobes, beds, tables, chairs, doors, and writing desks, Mario's dedication to craftsmanship is evident in every piece he creates. Mario recently expanded his client base beyond his community, reaching customers along the Pomeroon River and Essequibo Coast. However, despite growing demand, Mario faces significant constraints due to limited access to materials and specialized equipment. Currently, Mario relies heavily on manual labor and basic tools, significantly limiting his production capacity. With support from the Uplift Project, Mario intends to invest in critical supplies and essential equipment—particularly high-quality hardwood and professional woodworking tools. His immediate needs include acquiring additional hardwood materials and a reliable saw, such as a DeWalt electric saw, to improve production efficiency and quality. "With more materials and better tools, I can grow my business further and fulfill orders faster, " Mario explained. His business primarily serves government workers, teachers, and other community members who value durable, well-made furniture crafted from solid hardwood, a sustainable and long-lasting alternative to imported composite wood products. Your support can enable Mario to overcome these barriers, expand his furniture business, and improve economic stability for his family and community. With your help, Mario's vision of providing quality hardwood furniture and employing local residents can become a thriving reality.