Moringa, commonly know as the the Miracle Tree has the ability to change lives. It truly can be a miracle in the lives of those living in poverty. I first took interest in this plant because of it’s high nutritional content and medicinal value, but soon discovered how it has the ability to meet an even greater need, poverty alleviation. Can you imagine the joy that comes when you wake up in the morning knowing that your life is making a difference? Please read on to discover how you can help my family accomplish this and it starts simply with a plant called Moringa.
So what makes Moringa so special? How can it help to lift people out of poverty? Moringa leaves are packed with nutrition that can change the lives of malnourished children, pregnant mothers, the elderly, and HIV/AIDS. I did some research and was astounded to find the following amounts of just how much nutritional value it has! The fresh leaves from the Oleifera variety have 7 times the vitamin C in oranges, 4 times the calcium of milk, and 3 times the potassium of bananas, 4 times the iron in spinach, as much protein as in eggs, and 4 times more Vitamin A than carrots. This is its nutritional value, but how exactly can it help someone in poverty? Meet Odette…
Odette is a teacher in Burundi [Photo above, third from the left], living in a typical Burundi home – clay or mud bricks for walls and a dirt floor. A teacher's pay in Burundi is barely enough for survival. Our family’s non-profit, SHAPE International http://www.shapeinternational.org/ has partnered with an organization in Burundi called SHINE to help Odette and other women like her. We provide these women with training and equipment to start their own businesses.
Last year SHAPE’s partner, SHINE, started harvesting the leaves and seeds to create jobs for people in local villages where the trees grow. SHINE now has an opportunity to sell the oil seeds to a company in neighboring Rwanda. The funds we are raising will purchase seed bags, scales to weigh the bags, transportation to Rwanda and wages for workers to harvest the seeds.
After the seeds are sold, the proceeds will be used to harvest more seeds and to plant new trees. This project will provide jobs for people in the poorest areas of Burundi. We need at least $500 to accomplish this and you can help.
To meet this need please donate at SHAPE’s Razoo account or become a fan and know that you are making a difference in the lives of people like Odette. http://www.razoo.com/story/Moringa-Oil-Seed-Business?referral_code=share
Please help spread the word about SHAPE International and become a fan of our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/SHAPEInt
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