The Kaleo project
Building sustainable impact in Kaleo
We are establishing a permanent shea processing center in Kaleo, and we are looking for partners to build it with us.
What the center will do
Employ at least six permanent staff
Permanent, salaried roles rather than seasonal piecework, so that people can plan beyond the harvest.
Improve production quality and volume
Consistent equipment and a controlled space, which is what lets us guarantee a buyer the same butter every time.
Create stable income for vulnerable groups
Reliable income for women, youth, persons with disabilities, and people affected by NTDs across the surrounding communities.
Expand export capacity
The volume and documentation that export buyers require, opening markets we currently have to turn down.
Why this matters
From seasonal work to steady employment
Community-based shea processing already supports over 200 women. A permanent center raises the quality we can guarantee to buyers and keeps more of the value in Kaleo rather than losing it with the raw nut.
Without a fixed site, production rises and falls with the season and with whatever space we can borrow. That limits the orders we can accept, which limits the hours we can offer, which is exactly the cycle we exist to break. We are seeking partners, donors, and collaborators to bring this vision to life.