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Post Harvest
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| CTI Travels to Sudan |
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On
a sunny June day in Jalimo, Sudan, Kathleen Graham, a CTI Volunteer, welcomed twenty Sudanese agricultural
extension agents to the
three day "Training of Trainers" technology workshop she had organized with the help of Norwegian People's Aid manager Ezana Getahun. The goal was to transform these agents into
Ewing grinder experts, so they could return to their communities and teach
villagers to use and maintain the Ewing
grinder. Before the workshop was over,
each agent had to stand and demonstrate how he or she would teach others to
take the grinder apart and put it together; to process peanuts, millet,
sorghum, coffee, maize, sesame, cow peas and coffee; and to clean and maintain
the grinder in good condition. Homework
included each participant preparing a written training plan, which was also
presented to the group and critiqued!
Basic business planning, record keeping and food prep safety were also on
the agenda, as NPA and CTI hope the grinders will become part of income
generating activities. Read More
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Wooden Body for Omega Grinder?
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The genius of George Ewing strikes again! In response to a discussion on
how we might reduce the manufacturing and shipping costs of our Omega grinders,
George offered to make a wooden grinder. And, voilá! George made this model out of oak with metal tubing for the throat of the
grinder. Otherwise the body, front plate and yoke all are made of wood in place
of machined aluminium castings. Although we don't have production costs for the
"Woody" as yet, we believe that as much as $125 could be removed from the
inventoried cost. Additionally, because the product could be shipped
disassembled, some savings could be realized in the shipping. There is also the
possibility of just shipping the metal components, i.e., shaft, helix, burrs,
bearings and metal throat and allowing local artisans to make their own wooden
part.
So many options! A few Board members are also approaching IKEA to see if
there is a fit with their philanthropic outreach and/or utilizing their supply
chain to make and package the parts for us. We will report more on this exciting
development as it develops. In the mean time, George, thank you once
again!
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Congo Orphanage Uses CTI Grinder
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| Fred and Elsie Scaife purchased a grinder last spring and took it to the Bunia Children's Hope Center, an orphanage which is part of the Anglican Church of the Congo. On the day the grinder arrived, the cooks used it to make peanut butter which was used to make a peanut sauce that was served over sweet potatoes to the children in the orphanage. We have posted the spring and summer issues of the Scaife's newsletters on the CTI website. Read More |
Executive Director Retirement Plans Announced
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Bruce Humphrys, Executive Director since 2003, has announced
his plans to retire from CTI after a long career in non-profit management. Board
Chair Rob Scarlett sends the following message: The CTI Board of Directors would like you to know that we
have been discussing Bruce Humphrys' retirement plans for sometime now. We are all keenly aware of the substantial contributions
that Bruce has made to the growth and stability of CTI as its Executive
Director; and we are extremely pleased that he has agreed to stay on and
continue providing his leadership during all phases of this recruiting process.
Once we have recruited the new Executive Director
(hopefully, by November 2007), Bruce has agreed to stay on through February
2008 to assist with the introduction and orientation of the new Executive. This
will ensure CTI a smooth transition.
Beyond that February 2008 date, Bruce has offered to shift
his efforts into a part-time role, focusing on major individual gifts and other
fund-raising activities. This way, CTI will continue to benefit from Bruce's
prowess in those areas.
Rob Scarlett, Chair
Compatible Technology International
Anyone interested in applying for this position can request
the job posting from Bruce by calling or e-mailing the CTI office.
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| Where in the World is Keely |  Keely Franke, Program Assistant for the past year and a half, has
left the area for a three-year program in an Episcopal Church seminary in Austin, TX. Keely will be pursuing her long-time desire
to become an Episcopal priest, probably with an Hispanic emphasis.
Keely came to CTI as the part time Program Assistant after
one of her classes at Hamline University introduced her to the
organization. Her dedication, attention
to detail, and personality has been appreciated by the many CTI volunteers
whose efforts she supported. Thank you,
Keely!
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| Volunteer Recognition Event September 27 |
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CTI will recognize all volunteers with a special thank you event to be held at Gibbs Museum in St. Paul on September 27 from 3-6:30 pm, with a program at 5. More information will be sent to volunteers in September.
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