First Sourcing Trip to Ghana
ORÍSUN rests on three pillars: the promotion of natural health and wellness with African herbs and superplants, women’s economic empowerment, and sustainability. These three values are the hallmarks of the partnerships we form with grassroots organizations, one of which I visited in Northern Ghana early in February. Prior to my visits, I had been communicating virtually with the representatives of this organization for months, gradually laying the groundwork for a partnership that will provide stable market access for women in rural Northern Ghana.
This organization works to empower women in Northern Ghana through the promotion of sustainable agriculture and the development of value chains for indigenous nutrient-dense crops. They work together with women to help them realize the benefits of farming and harvesting produce in ways that replenish the natural resources in their environments, especially the nutrients in the soil.
They undertake their women’s empowerment and sustainable agricultural development work in the following ways:
They create sustainable value chains that make it possible for the women in the communities to earn a decent living
They ensure the sustainability of plants and trees like the baobab tree by encouraging community members to plant baobab trees and by helping them realize that it is financially beneficial for them when the old baobab trees thrive.
They encourage community members to leave some baobab fruits on the trees i.e. not all the fruits are harvested so birds and other animals can spread the baobab seeds left over after each harvest season.
After months of postponing this trip and worrying that things may not go as planned because of the covid-19 pandemic, I can tell you that I am glad that everything came together.
Learning more about the organization’s vision and seeing their impacts in the communities they serve made me more aware of the need to remain true to our mission of helping you lead a healthy and wholesome life through African-grown superfoods and herbs while giving visibility to African women cultivating and producing our ingredients.
I look forward to finalizing this partnership and look forward to making real impacts in rural African communities as ORÍSUN brings you the wonders of Africa in our wellness and clean beauty products.