One of the ways in which Ghana Red Cross Society works with local communities takes the form of self-help groups known as Mothers' Clubs. In addition to the normal activities of health education, first aid training, maternity and other health support, many Mothers' Clubs engage in forms of community enterprise activities, raising funds to support community-based provision of services. At Dodowa, in the Greater Accra Region, the Mothers' Club grow cassava and process it into garee, which is then sold locally to generate funds to support primary and junior secondary education.
This page and the following pages tells the story of how this work s undertaken. The pictures were taken during a visit by a team from Ghana Red Cross Society to Dodowa Mothers' Club, and the text has been prepared from the explanation provided by the Mothers' Club Leader.
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Members of the Mothers' Club are seen here in the field where they grow cassava. The field, approximately 2 acres in size, is leased. It takes 10 to 12 months for the plants to yield roots of the required size. | |||
| The field must be tended during the season, kept free of weeds, rubbish and vermin. | |
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When harvested, the skins of the cassava roots are cut, using small machetes. | |||
| Children lend a hand in cutting off the skins | |
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The cassava roots are washed, ready for shredding | |||
| No shredder, no picture | The washed roots must then be shredded. The Mothers' Club has no machine of their own, so must pay for the use of a machine located elsewhere. | |||
| To next stages |