Full Belly Project
The Full Belly Project Ltd is a
Universal Nut Sheller
Their primary objective was to increase the cost effectiveness of peanut agriculture as a means of sustainable development in those countries, through the development of affordable appropriate technology. There are an estimated half billion people across the globe in over 100 countries, primarily in the equatorial regions and particularly in Africa, dependent upon peanuts as their primary source of protein.
The major
The final design for the machine was completed in January 2005, and has come to be known as the
Other versions of the UNS have been designed:
- An "electrical powered sheller" has been designed in 2008 after a request from an orphanage in Haiti and is also distributed in Guyana.
- A "pedal powered sheller" was designed in 2009 to shell faster. It has been distributed in the Philippines, in Guyana, and in Guatemala.
Soap for Hope
In keeping with their mission of changing the world for the “bottom billion” through production of self-sustainable technologies, the Full Belly Project and partners at Diversey introduced the soap press in 2013. Known as Soap for Hope, this project reuses a portion the millions of pounds of soap that are thrown away annually by local hotels and resorts. The soap press allows communities to produce and distribute recycled soap products to fend off disease, promote better health, and generate income for impoverished communities around the world. The Full Belly Project developed a “soap press in a box” micro-factory to ship abroad for assembly, granting entrepreneurial opportunity to those with less access to proper sanitation and resources.
The soap press in now in 18 countries around the world providing over 41,000 people with soap.
Distributing technology
Presently, the organization is collaborating with like-minded development organizations in an effort to target areas most in need of this sustainable technology. Since finishing the final design of the Universal Nut Sheller, The Full Belly Project has distributed machines in
With a few manual adjustments the machine is also capable of shelling
Impact on women
This technology is particularly empowering for women in that it relieves them of the burden of hand-shelling
Awards
- MIT Ideas (2006)
- Popular Mechanics Magazine – Breakthrough Award (2006)
- Carolina Challenge – Business Plan
- CNN Heroes – Jock Brandis (2008)
- Tech Awards Laureate (2008)
- Purpose Prize – Jock Brandis (2008)
See also
- Universal Nut Sheller
- Appropriate technology
- Peanut
- Jock Brandis
- Jatropha curcas
References
- ^ a b "Farmers introduced to innovative way of beating the drought". The Gleaner. 19 August 2015.
- ^ Ben Schactman (12 January 2021). "After two decades, Wilmington's Full Belly Project closes up shop". WHQR.
- ^ "CRI launches shea nut and ground nut sheller machines". ModernGhana. 28 July 2009.
- ^ "The Full Belly Project - Frequently Asked Questions". The Full Belly Project. Archived from the original on 2010-09-04. Retrieved 2010-09-18.