Philippine Houdart Marketing, Shea Butter initiative [Paris, France]
			Click for     more Photos Volunteer Vacation
	Philippine with the Shea Butter producers in Damango.
		Description: (Accra & Damango, Ghana. Jun - Jul, 2010) Global Mamas has recently made the strategic decision to expand into the distribution of bulk shea butter. We have teamed up with Eugenia Akuete of Naasakle who has already made a name for her company when it comes to producing premium shea butter. She is in the midst of transforming her production model to shift all processing of the shea butter to the north of Ghana (where shea nuts grow in the wild). She has helped form a cooperative of 700 women in the village of Damango to produce the butter. Philippine did a lot of research to find out how exactly to position the shea butter in our marketing. She also assessed which certifying organization Global Mamas should choose to apply for organic and fair trade certifications from. Achievements: Philippine assisted WIP in many areas: New product development for the Shea butter initiative. Research of potential clients for the pure Shea butter. Evaluation of Fair Trade certification options for the Shea butter. Shea butter website development including text and photos Highlights: Philippine enjoyed traveling to the North of Ghana to meet the women that produce shea butter. She was strategic in evaluating their working conditions and ensured that the strict and important criteria for a Fair Trade Certificates was in place. Philippine was also excited to get creative and assist in the development of new Shea butter products. She explored new formulas and potential packing to expand the existing products. "The most satisfying part of my volunteer experience was the freedom of my work. I was able to work from Cape Coast and Accra on different projects. Meeting the women in Damongo was wonderful. The women are amazing and they were so nice to us. I discovered many things thanks to this trip!" close window