In Chera, a small village in Northern Ghana, we have entered our second year of shea butter production. Last year was our first year of production, using 60 bags of shea nuts. Local women gather these nuts and sell them to Matt25 Foundation. This year brings exciting news, as we're set to produce using 600 bags of shea nuts.
We are able to significantly increase our production this year thanks to a game-changer: the kneader. This machine eases the workload for the women, eliminating the need for three hours of manual kneading. With the kneader's help the shea butter production is now more efficient and less physically demanding for the women of Chera.
Shea butter is extracted from the nuts of the shea tree through a process that involves harvesting, roasting, grinding, and kneading. After harvesting, the shea nuts are roasted to release their natural oils. The roasted nuts are then ground and kneaded to extract the rich and creamy shea butter.
However, every journey has its challenges. Initial issues with the kneader and ongoing struggles for consistent water access are some of the struggles we've faced. Despite these obstacles the women remain motivated and the production runs rather smoothly. Together, we continue to support communities and nurture sustainable shea butter production.
