Our first Caribbean project took place in 2010 in the island of Saint Martin. The project was initiated due to the lack of knowledge about shea butter amongst young people in some islands in the Caribbean. The main purpose was also to introduce and instill entrepreneurship.

The main objectives of the project:

• To enable young people to learn about shea butter and its properties through research and presentation
• To produce shea butter cream by mixing key ingredients
• Toe learn the importance of raw material up to the finished goods
• To learn how to market their product through branding and advertising

The project was initiated over a 3week period by one of our team members Vanessa who oversaw as the project manager. The youngsters were allocated responsibilities in purchasing equipment, researching ingredients, production, design, manufacturing and sales.  The Calabash Hub provided the jars and shea butter and the base ingredients were purchased on the island.
                    

RESULTS
The project was a total success. The islanders were very receptive especially through the youth work. The young people made 12 Shea Body Smothers (x10 30ml, x 2 120ml) which were all sold in less than 1 week with a 42% profit. There was also enough mixture to make refills.

TESTIMONIALs
The Shea Body Smother was used by a young girl aged 5 that suffered from eczema who was currently using subscribed prescriptions. After 1 week of usage she no longer itched and her skin healed.

There was an epidemic called Dengue which is a mild version of malaria. The people who used the SBS had no bites and those that did not encountered bites. It is known that lemon grass is an excellent insect repellent.

An islander is willing to continue to sell the shea butter on behalf of The Calabash Hub

UPDATES:  The Calabash Hub visited St Martin, Guadeloupe and St Barts in June 2012 to initiate further projects.