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.

Carla Smith is a resilient entrepreneur from Wakapau, who dreams of rebuilding her once-thriving chicken business. Carla initially started her poultry venture to support her children's education and her family's daily needs. However, life's challenges, including her husband's illness and financial pressures, forced her to pause this promising venture. Now, Carla seeks support through the Uplift Project's grant to restart her business. With the requested funds, Carla plans to purchase chickens—both broilers for meat and layers for eggs—alongside essential feed and supplies. She aims to raise around 60 chickens initially, focusing heavily on egg production to meet local demand. Wakapau villagers currently travel significant distances, spending thousands to obtain poultry products. Carla's business would provide a convenient, affordable alternative, improving her family's livelihood and benefiting the local community. "This business helps me feed my children and support my family," Carla passionately explains. Community members recognize Carla for her dedication and excellent poultry farming skills. With your support, Carla's vision to restart her poultry business can become a reality, creating sustainable economic opportunities and positively impacting her community. Join us in empowering Carla and her family by contributing to her journey toward economic independence.