The tub cost seven or eight dollars then, a great find for a graduate student, living on a fixed income.  At the time, I did not fully understand the fair trade implications that surrounded the Western import and cheap sale of the shea nut and/or shea butter. The nuts for the butter are gathered and processed by African women living in the Sahel region.  The cold pressed butter however is bought and sold by middlemen and traders who bring the product from the “shea belt” to the overseas markets as a cash crop.

I carted home the waxy, off-white block that day, pleased to spend the next hour whipping the raw butter into a silky smooth hair and body cream.  I added olive and grapeseed oils to the raw shea, and set forth to mixing it using the same hand mixer I often used to make bread and cookies.  During this process, I started to wonder just why raw shea butter, as an African import, was so darn cheap to buy in the West, and why its exporters hadn’t whipped the butter themselves (thus increasing its worth) in order to bring a more valuable product to the international market?

As I began to learn more about the plight of rural women shea producers and their struggle to establish fair market prices, I started to understand how the purchase of fair trade shea butter skincare products made a direct impact on the lives and livelihoods of women living in West and Central African communities.  Later, I learned from Rahama Wright, former Peace Corps Volunteer and founder of Shea Yeleen, that raw shea butter’s true market value was kept artificially low because the women who processed it did not receive equitable compensation for their labor.  She founded Shea Yeleen, a non-profit organization, to increase the visibility of rural women shea producers and advocate for a supply chain process that directly benefits these women shea producers.

Organizations like Shea Yeleen provide shea producers the opportunity to earn more for their labor, establish fair market prices, and increase female control over the shea butter production process.  In addition to organizing women-owned cooperatives, Shea Yeleen purchases raw shea butter from traditional producers at above-market prices.  It also educates U.S. consumers on the value of supporting equitable trade. As a result of Shea Yeleen’s consumer education efforts and commitment to local organizations, shea producers are able to earn a living wage for the very first time.

Last year, I had the opportunity to support Shea Yeleen during the 2011 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.  There, I met three women who had received technical and business education provided by Shea Yeleen.  They were smart, empowered, and strong women who were rising leaders in their communities not only because of their dynamic personalities, but also because of the positive impact that fair trade shea butter had made on their daily lives.   Shea Yeleen sells whipped body butters, balms, and soaps at fair trade prices and these finished products help women develop shea butter cooperatives that create a better, more sustainable, shea butter production process.

While processing shea butter at home is still a sometimes-fun weekend crafting activity, I also support Shea Yeleen’s mission and the shea producers who have gained economic independence as a direct result of Shea Yeleen’s work to empower women entrepreneurs.  To support fair trade shea butter and African women, shop www.SheaYeleen.com or a comparable fair trade retailer.  When shopping for shea butter, always double check the labels to ensure that you are buying raw, unrefined shea butter that is fair trade certified.

Zambia Chickens. William Longa, 9, left, and his brother, Laston Longa, 12, with the family's chickens in Luanshya in Copperbelt Province, Zambia. Source: Heifer International Pressroom.

Day 22 on El Camino. For up-to-date news and photos of the journey, please go to: www.elcaminoylacomida.com.  By now, you know that this is the way of St. James. Seeing old churches and monasteries is an incredible experience, regardless of what your beliefs are.

Heifer Tanzania partners with many churches of all denominations throughout the country. To read more about these partnerships and to view video of an exuberant outdoor church service in Tanzania, visitHeifer’sblog.

To donate on Heifer’s site, please go here.

Tanzania Donkeys. Sambekie is a member of the Ekenyawa women’s group, a part of the Heifer International Tanzania donkey project. Before they got the donkeys the women had to carry 40 liters of water twice a day from the local watering hole, which was several kilometers from the village. The work was exhausting. Hygiene in the village was poor because of the water shortage. Today, donkeys carry enough water that the entire village can have water to drink, to cook, to wash clothes, and to bathe. Source: Heifer International Pressroom.

Beginning of Week 3, Day 21. For up-to-date news and photos of the journey, please go to: www.elcaminoylacomida.com.  Making it this far, we want to break out in song and dance!

Zambian women have beautiful singing voices. Listen to members of a Heifer women’s dairy cattle project in Tigwirizane, Zambia sing in appreciation of Heifer’s support inthisblogposting.

To donate on Heifer’s site, please go here.

Tanzania Pigs. Sebastian, 22, of Heifer International’s Singa Group pig project in Kibosho East in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania. Source: Heifer International Pressroom.

Beginning of Week 2, Day 14 on this trek.  For up-to-date news and photos of the journey, please go to: www.elcaminoylacomida.com.   Since every ounce on our backs count, everything we carry must be useful, worthwhile, and multiple uses. Heifer’s models also ensures that any gift goes the distance.

Agiftofchicks, ducks or geese can quickly turn into a sizeable flock that can triple a family’s income. The fowl  are easily managed as they require little space, and can help control garden pests and improve soil quality. One large chicken egg contains more than six grams of protein—which the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization indicates is about half the daily requirement for toddlers. Eggs also contain selenium, which helps build a strong immune system, and B vitamins like folate and riboflavin that help convert food into energy. Plus, chickens and ducks can lay nearly 200 eggs a year, providing plenty for families to sell for extra income.

To donate on Heifer’s site, please go here.

The Carnivore, Nairobi, Kenya

Considered one of “Africa’s greatest eating experiences” in Nairobi, The Carnivore offers a wide selection of exotic meats. Similar to a churrascaria, the meat is roasted over charcoal and served at the table. This restaurant turns into one of the most popular nightclubs once the sun sets.

Tanzania Camels: Isaya Shakwet Village Chairman of Mkuru: Camels aren't bad for the environment, camels eat leaves of trees and not the grass. Camels feet are different from cows- its like sponge. Before we didn't have camels... When we get camels we are happy because They changed our life camels can carry a lot of luggage and goods like water and supplies. We were able to take people to the hospital by camel. They are changing our life quite a bit because now we employ people with our safari company. Mkuru Village, Arusha Region, Northern Tanzania HPI Tanzania. Source: Heifer International Pressroom

Day 5 on the Way. Each of us carry our own water, and most of us carry a water bladder. When you are carrying everything you need on your back, it is critical to have easy access to water. For up-to-date news and photos of the journey, please go to: www.elcaminoylacomida.com.

Camels nibble leaves from many different trees and bushes and don’t just graze on grass, so their milk is rich in a variety of nutrients and antioxidants. For instance, camel milk has roughly three times more vitamin C than cow milk. Camels are also very useful for transportation and to help haul water and firewood. Learn how a Maasai community in Tanzania traded its traditional cow herd for drought-tolerant camels in the Holiday 2010 issueofHeifer’sWorldArk.

Also, check out more benefits and interesting traits of camels on theHeiferblog.

To donate on Heifer’s site, please go here.

Tanzania Cow: Lucas Selvester with the family's HPI heifer. Getenga Village, Tarime District, Mara Region. HPI Tanzania. Source: Heifer International Pressroom

Day 4 on the Way. Walking on hot days, the thought of jumping into a body of water sounds like bliss. For up-to-date news and photos of the journey, please go to: www.elcaminoylacomida.com.

Heifer International does aquaculture or fish-farming projects. In Tanzania, Nicholas Mwakabelele built his ponds in 2003 and quickly saw the benefits of raising Nile tilapia. His family ate well and grew healthier, and he eventually he trained two villages on fish farming and gave away countless fingerlings. He began to earn a profit, despite all the fish he gave away, and started making bricks to build a new house as his business and recognition grew. ReadmoreaboutNicholas’ story.

To donate on Heifer’s site, please go here.

Zambia Goats: Humphrey Kalus and his mother Bess Mutelo feeding their goats. Source: Heifer International Pressroom

Day 3 on the Way. It’s fascinating to see so many people walk for over 30 days on a road that would take far less to drive. Yet walking is certainly more environmentally friendly. For up-to-date news and photos of the journey, please go to: www.elcaminoylacomida.com.

In many of the areas where Heifer International works, biogas projects turn manure into clean-burning gas. Biogas offers rural families an alternative form of energy for cooking, heating and lighting that is not only better for the environment, but better for the health of the families who use it. Read more about Heifer’s biogas projects and see videos of the technology at work ontheHeiferBlog.

To donate on Heifer’s site, please go here.

Source: imow.org

Founded by the indomitable Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, The Green Belt Movement, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, has earned the anger of the Kenyan government for its work to get communities to become environmentally conscious. By inspiring may women throughout Kenya to plant trees, The Green Belt Movement has created grassroots environmentalists and stewards of the planet who also learn income-generating skills such as forestry and bee-keeping.

Typically, I spend most of the DC summer cursing the heat and humidity, dodging tourists and doing a whole lot of grumbling about “actually living here”.  (True Story: During Cherry Blossom season, I actually tried wearing a whistle when I ran on the National Mall to clear a path through the crowds.  However, the Capitol Police didn’t find this cute.  So, I had to stop.  Can’t fight The Man.)  This year, instead of being annoyed that my regular jogging route is jammed with gawkers staring at old monuments, I’ve taken the attitude of “if you can’t beat ‘em…”.  Thanks in part to Michelle Obama’s focus on healthy eating, this summer is the perfect one for a food lover like me to be a Tourist in My Own City.  I kicked off my summer of DC sights last week at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.  This food-centric, hands-on event happens every year and features three focal points around which eating, entertainment and crafts/trades revolve.  Columbia, the Peace Corps (celebrating 50 years) and Rhythm&Blue/The Motor City are the highlighted areas for 2011.  Here’s a glimpse.

Hurry! You've only got 5 more days to catch this year's exhibits and activities!

I was astounded by the authenticity of the Festival.  Almost all the demonstrators are from the areas represented- many have translators on hand to facilitate the face-to-face interactions that make this an amazing event.

The Columbian industries and crafts exhibits were so colorful!

The Peace Corps' tents featured countries they've been stationed in but focused on areas of Southeast Asia and Western Africa. Kids can look, touch and even help with the crafts being demonstrated.

Besides crafts and skills unique to the countries, cooking demonstrations happen almost hourly.

Columbian Food Demonstration: Ssshhh, translator! Be quiet so I can practice my Spanish!

Peace Corps Cooking Demo Schedule: Only drawback- health code prevents tastings! Boo!

The Festival is flanked by the Smithsonian museums as it sprawls down the National Mall.  The smells of the food tents drift from the Capitol Building to the Washington Monument.  How could you resist stopping? Each of the food tents features not only regional cuisines but also beers unique to that area!  Cheers!

After all that eating, it’s time for some activity!  Cultural music and dancing can be found throughout the festival.  People are frequently dancing barefoot in the grass under the shade of tents or in the center of the aisle in the musical arenas.

Finally, I was so pleased to see that there was nary a fast or junk food item in sight.  Instead, fruit booths and fruit drinks were set up at periodic intervals.  Plus, there was a free filtered water bottle refill station!  So eco-conscious!

I left the Festival not feeling the slightest bit annoyed by crowds.  Instead, I felt an unfamiliar emotion about my city.  Don’t quote on me this, but I think it maybe just might have been…pride.