Shea butter has been used for centuries in West Africa for
everything from dry skin and stretchmarks to insect repellant and cooking oil.
In the Tamale-Gushi region of Ghana, shea is respected not only for its
numerous applications but also as the sole source of income for the women of
these subsistence-farming communities—which they need to pay for their
children’s school fees and to buy household items such as soap.
Women who harvest shea put their lives at risk twice a day.
To ensure that is does not interfere with their primary farming and household
responsibilities women must do the harvesting of the shea fruit (whose kernel
is used to make the shea butter) at dawn and dusk. These are also the times of
day at which there is the highest likelihood they may be fatally bitten by the
vipers and green and black mambas—among the most poisonous snakes in the
world—that inhabit the shea trees.
The One Village Planet—Women’s Development Initiative is
dedicated to ensuring the safety of the women who depend on shea. By purchasing
Just Shea you will not only be receiving the time tested benefits of shea
butter, you will be contributing to saving these women’s lives: proceeds from
the sale of Just Shea are used to outfit them with protective boots, gloves,
and coats, so that they may pursue their industry in safety.
Just Shea is, well, just
pure shea butter—it is hand-processed using traditional methods by women in
Tamale, Ghana and packaged in Sugar Hill.
