The sun hadn't even risen yet as we headed to the airport in Guatemala City at 4:30am to catch a flight to Nicaragua for the next leg of our journey. The upside to being early risers was we were able to get over thirty people through the exit tax line and customs stations without a hitch. I think we all caught a little shut eye on the 55 minute flight to Managua.
The group divided into two at the airport. Group 1 boarded a very "cozy" minibus piled high with luggage strapped to the top and stocked with sandwiches on board for sustance during the four hour ride to Cusmapa. Upon arrival, Group 1 visited the communities where early childhood nutrition projects are underway using FortiSoyTM, a complementary soy protein and micronutrient supplement created by NSRL. Staff from Fabretto Children's Foundation (FCF) were our hosts when we arrived in Cusmapa. They are the in-country partners for this project and were eager to share how well the project is progressing and introduce us to the children who are benefiting from FortiSoyTM.
Group 2 headed to a meeting with a local company who is producing soymilk, soy beverage mixes and marketing Textured Soy Protein. The get together generated lively discussions and dialogue about collaboration opportunities. An additional meeting was held with our partners at Cargill Tip Top about future plans. The end result was many opportunities and great enthusiam for projects in the upcoming year.
The evening wrapped up with a dinner with the USDA Ag Attache from the U.S. Embassy. Trade discussions and USDA programs were topics of conversation during the delicious meal of local Nicaraguan cuisine.
After a long day, everyone was looking forward to a good night's sleep. Tomorrow will be another full day of site visits and meetings as we wrap up what has turned out to be not only worthwhile, but a highly productive trip to Central America.
Warmest Regards,
Bridget
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Buenos Dias from Guatemala City
Another beautiful day in Guatemala City. The cold weather of Illinois seems like a distant memory as we begin the second day of the Nutrition Solutions Conference. Over 90 people joined us as we embarked on field visits to show participants first hand the excellent work being done by so many working together to combat malnutrition.
Our first stop was to Cento de Artes, a technical training center, that has been supported through many organizations working together. Rotary International is very involved in supporting this project. The Center offers career training in the areas of catering, baking, becoming a beautitian, metal working, electrical repair and computers.
The Center is also home to a SoyCow machine, used for producing soymilk from whole soybeans. The SoyCow is a WISHH project in partnership with the local Rotary Club. The team at the Center is using soymilk and okara, a co-product, in their baked goods and catering menu. They have also had success selling both soymilk and okara throughout local neighborhoods and the community at large. Our visit included a tour of the facility, a demonstration of the SoyCow and a cooking class that featured soy protein dishes. The visit concluded with a superb soy lunch prepared by the Center.
Next up was a visit to the Pediatrics Association soy nutrition project which is sponsored by Cargill. The Pediatrics Association is located in the neighborhood that houses the city dump. The neighborhood is also located near the Cargill Perry Foods plan. Due to the generousity and contributions of Cargill Associates, the entire area has benefited immensely. WISHH and NSRL, working in concert with Cargill and PA, have found ways to increase the protein content and overall nutrition of the meals served to the local children. Textured Soy Protein is one of the ingredients that has been added to local dishes and it is well liked by the children who are served the meals. The farmer leaders really enjoyed meeting the children and were pleased to see how much the children enjoyed the soy-enhanced lunches.
The field visits concluded with a visit to Fundaninas, a local home for girls. Fundaninas was founded by the Isabel Bosch of the Guitierrez Foundation. Fundaninas is an outstanding organization that provides a home for many young girls who might otherwise have no where to live. Fundaninas is home to a SoyCow that provides soymilk and okara for all of the girls on a daily basis. Visiting with the girls and talking with Dona Isabel is always a pleansant experience. One of the girls, whom we had met before, shared with us that she will be graduating soon and has plans to begin teacher's training. We are so happy for her and look forward to her continued success in life. There were many more great stories like this one and they all reinforce that what we do in Central America is making a difference in the lives of many.
A local handicraft market was the next stop for some of the team who were interested in getting gifts and souvenirs to remember their trip to Guatemala. Others headed back to the hotel for meetings and we all reconnected for dinner at another of our favorite Guatemalan restaurants.
Our flight to Managua, Nicaragua departs at 4:30am, so I will finish up here and wish you a good evening.
Buenas noches,
Bridget
Our first stop was to Cento de Artes, a technical training center, that has been supported through many organizations working together. Rotary International is very involved in supporting this project. The Center offers career training in the areas of catering, baking, becoming a beautitian, metal working, electrical repair and computers.
The Center is also home to a SoyCow machine, used for producing soymilk from whole soybeans. The SoyCow is a WISHH project in partnership with the local Rotary Club. The team at the Center is using soymilk and okara, a co-product, in their baked goods and catering menu. They have also had success selling both soymilk and okara throughout local neighborhoods and the community at large. Our visit included a tour of the facility, a demonstration of the SoyCow and a cooking class that featured soy protein dishes. The visit concluded with a superb soy lunch prepared by the Center.
Next up was a visit to the Pediatrics Association soy nutrition project which is sponsored by Cargill. The Pediatrics Association is located in the neighborhood that houses the city dump. The neighborhood is also located near the Cargill Perry Foods plan. Due to the generousity and contributions of Cargill Associates, the entire area has benefited immensely. WISHH and NSRL, working in concert with Cargill and PA, have found ways to increase the protein content and overall nutrition of the meals served to the local children. Textured Soy Protein is one of the ingredients that has been added to local dishes and it is well liked by the children who are served the meals. The farmer leaders really enjoyed meeting the children and were pleased to see how much the children enjoyed the soy-enhanced lunches.
The field visits concluded with a visit to Fundaninas, a local home for girls. Fundaninas was founded by the Isabel Bosch of the Guitierrez Foundation. Fundaninas is an outstanding organization that provides a home for many young girls who might otherwise have no where to live. Fundaninas is home to a SoyCow that provides soymilk and okara for all of the girls on a daily basis. Visiting with the girls and talking with Dona Isabel is always a pleansant experience. One of the girls, whom we had met before, shared with us that she will be graduating soon and has plans to begin teacher's training. We are so happy for her and look forward to her continued success in life. There were many more great stories like this one and they all reinforce that what we do in Central America is making a difference in the lives of many.
A local handicraft market was the next stop for some of the team who were interested in getting gifts and souvenirs to remember their trip to Guatemala. Others headed back to the hotel for meetings and we all reconnected for dinner at another of our favorite Guatemalan restaurants.
Our flight to Managua, Nicaragua departs at 4:30am, so I will finish up here and wish you a good evening.
Buenas noches,
Bridget
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Nutrition Solutions for Central America kicks off in Guatemala City
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
It was 73 degrees in Guatemala City when we arrived and the sun is just beginning to set. It is always enjoyable to return to Guatemala and the excitement of the upcoming Corporate Social Responsiblity Conference adds to the anticipation of this visit.
The team from the Illinois Soybean Association(ISA) consists of: two directors - - Ms. Pat Dumoulin and Mr. Ross Prough; 11 Illinois Soy Ambassadors and four staff from the National Soybean Research Laboratory (NSRL).
This morning began with an excellent Guatemalan breakfast. There was an entire table of fresh fruits that were colorful local cuisine. I tried the cashew fruit and learned it is truly quite astringent, but I was up for a new and unique flavorful fruit. I always enjoy the local beans and plantains as did the others at the breakfast table.
After breakfast, the Nutrition Solutions for Central America Conference began with opening remarks from the Honorable Ambassador Stephen G. McFarland, United States Embassy in Guatemala. He was followed by Mr. Lus Arenales from Cargill Perry Foods. Ms. Mariana Torres, CentraRSE and Dr. Cazali, Secretary of Food Security and Nutrition, SESAN, also welcomed the many participants and shared their viewpoints about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The conference focused on the role CSR plays in creating nutrition solutions for Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Speakers included representatives from the Guatemalan government, the U.S. Embassy, local industry officials, non-government organizations, academic institutions and U.S. soybean farmers. The U.S. soybean farmers represented the ISA, as well as soybean farmer leaders from the Qualified State Soybean boards from Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Michigan and South Dakota. Participants also encompassed regional companies with an interest in CSR. Over 150 people were in attendance which made for interesting discussion, interactive dialogue and intriguing interface among a multitude of people with common concerns for nutrition solutions.
During her presentation, Pat Dumoulin shared about the work done by ISA, the United Soybean Board, the American Soybean Association and the Qualified State Soybean Boards in the areas of research, market development, communicaitons and education. Pat also discussed the work being done in Central America by the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH). The audience thoroughly enjoyed Pat's presentation, especially when she shared photos and details about her family, her family's farming operation and their historical Centennial Farm in northern Illinois.
The NSRL team gave two presentations during the conference. The first was focused on soy's role in nutrition solutions and the second, presented by Viji Jain, focused on FortiSoyTM projects currently being completed or underway in Honduras and Nicaragua.
Conference participants found the event to be an excellent forum to exchange information, network and discover new connections for collaboration. The conference provided an avenue for local industry to join in projects, activities and opportunities that deliver nutrition solutions for Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
After the conference, the U.S. soybean farmer leaders, NSRL and WISHH representatives enjoyed a delicious dinner at a picturesque thatch-roofed restaurant featuring fantastic Central American food with a Guatemalan influence.
The group said their good nights and made plans for the second day of the conference which includes visits to nutrition project sites in Guatemala City. Our group, as well as the majority of the attendees are looking forward to the field visits where we will see first hand the difference soy makes in nutrition solutions for Central America.
Warmest Regards,
Bridget
It was 73 degrees in Guatemala City when we arrived and the sun is just beginning to set. It is always enjoyable to return to Guatemala and the excitement of the upcoming Corporate Social Responsiblity Conference adds to the anticipation of this visit.
The team from the Illinois Soybean Association(ISA) consists of: two directors - - Ms. Pat Dumoulin and Mr. Ross Prough; 11 Illinois Soy Ambassadors and four staff from the National Soybean Research Laboratory (NSRL).
This morning began with an excellent Guatemalan breakfast. There was an entire table of fresh fruits that were colorful local cuisine. I tried the cashew fruit and learned it is truly quite astringent, but I was up for a new and unique flavorful fruit. I always enjoy the local beans and plantains as did the others at the breakfast table.
After breakfast, the Nutrition Solutions for Central America Conference began with opening remarks from the Honorable Ambassador Stephen G. McFarland, United States Embassy in Guatemala. He was followed by Mr. Lus Arenales from Cargill Perry Foods. Ms. Mariana Torres, CentraRSE and Dr. Cazali, Secretary of Food Security and Nutrition, SESAN, also welcomed the many participants and shared their viewpoints about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The conference focused on the role CSR plays in creating nutrition solutions for Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Speakers included representatives from the Guatemalan government, the U.S. Embassy, local industry officials, non-government organizations, academic institutions and U.S. soybean farmers. The U.S. soybean farmers represented the ISA, as well as soybean farmer leaders from the Qualified State Soybean boards from Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Michigan and South Dakota. Participants also encompassed regional companies with an interest in CSR. Over 150 people were in attendance which made for interesting discussion, interactive dialogue and intriguing interface among a multitude of people with common concerns for nutrition solutions.
During her presentation, Pat Dumoulin shared about the work done by ISA, the United Soybean Board, the American Soybean Association and the Qualified State Soybean Boards in the areas of research, market development, communicaitons and education. Pat also discussed the work being done in Central America by the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH). The audience thoroughly enjoyed Pat's presentation, especially when she shared photos and details about her family, her family's farming operation and their historical Centennial Farm in northern Illinois.
The NSRL team gave two presentations during the conference. The first was focused on soy's role in nutrition solutions and the second, presented by Viji Jain, focused on FortiSoyTM projects currently being completed or underway in Honduras and Nicaragua.
Conference participants found the event to be an excellent forum to exchange information, network and discover new connections for collaboration. The conference provided an avenue for local industry to join in projects, activities and opportunities that deliver nutrition solutions for Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
After the conference, the U.S. soybean farmer leaders, NSRL and WISHH representatives enjoyed a delicious dinner at a picturesque thatch-roofed restaurant featuring fantastic Central American food with a Guatemalan influence.
The group said their good nights and made plans for the second day of the conference which includes visits to nutrition project sites in Guatemala City. Our group, as well as the majority of the attendees are looking forward to the field visits where we will see first hand the difference soy makes in nutrition solutions for Central America.
Warmest Regards,
Bridget
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