Rotary club sponsors soy milk machines
The Rotary Club of Woy Woy is sponsoring the purchase of five machines to produce soy milk to combat malnutrition in Guatemalan children.
"Guatemala has the highest level of malnutrition in children younger than five years of age and has the highest chronic malnutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean," said club president Ms Jayne Mote.
"Malnutrition in children increases the risk of decreased cognitive development and slows down their overall growth.
"This is a serious problem, mainly in rural areas of Guatemala."
Ms Mote said the machines will process soy beans, with water and steam, to produce a slurry that can be separated into protein-rich soy milk and a solid by product called okara.
"Woy Woy Rotary has partnered with the Rotary Club of Guatemala Asuncion to install five machines," she said.
"These machines will be operated by five independent cooperating organisations at five different locations.
"Guatemalan Rotary clubs will oversee each of these organisations.
"The soy milk generated from these eight machines will collectively serve more than 4000 children to alleviate their malnutrition," Ms Mote said.
The machines and the introduction of okara will also stimulate Guatemalan community economies through new training, trading and business opportunities.
"The production of okara has provided a micro-enterprise where local women can make and sell protein-rich okara-based baked goods to generate income," Ms Mote said.
"Participating women were also trained on the economic benefits of the business.
"Working together and developing alliances with organisations with common interests has been a major approach in our global grant projects," said Ms Mote.
"Our partners commit to provide physical facilities, hire staff to operate the machines, pay for utilities such as electricity, gas and water; and make provisions for distributing soymilk to children.
"They help women start their microenterprise business and promote their ventures," Ms Mote said.
According to Ms Mote, the project had also forged new relationships amongst Woy Woy Rotarians and international clubs.
"We created partnerships among our Rotary friends from multiple districts and clubs.
"This is just one of many programs which really does show how we as Rotarians help to build friendships and international understanding, goodwill and peace," Ms Mote said.
SOURCE:
Newsletter, 4 Dec 2018
Vic Deeble, Rotary Club of Woy Woy