Tag Archives: Composting

Mujeres Unidas Launches New Social Enterprise

In addition to the production and sale of organic compost, Mujeres Unidas has been working since January 2016 to consider other possible social enterprise activities to add to their organizational portfolio.

A community members examines a household cleaning product manufactured by Mujeres Unidas.
A community members examines a household cleaning product manufactured by Mujeres Unidas.

With the help of  project partner CIAMF, the women organized trainings to teach members of the organization how to manufacture household cleaning supplies which could then be sold.

In March, the women’s group launched its first day of sales of household cleaning supplies, selling out their supply. The women sold from a tract of land on a busy commercial avenue that has been loaned to them for the next two years. The group hopes to use the plot of land as a base for their expanded social enterprise activities.

A temporary display of Mujeres Unidas manufactured cleaning products on their first day of being offered to the public.
A temporary display of Mujeres Unidas manufactured cleaning products on their first day being offered to the public.

As part of their expanded enterprise activities, Mujeres Unidas is working with designers from the University of Texas to develop semi-permanent infrastructure on the commercial site including a green house, a composting area, and a sales area that would allow them to grow plants for sale, increase their compost production, and have a formal storefront.

Mujeres Unidas Receives Vermicomposting Technical Training

After developing the vermiculture project in January 2012, Mujeres Unidas worked with  project partner Benita García of Fundación Agricultura y Medio Ambiente to support the initial phase of the vermiculture project. She held a series of workshops in Los Platanitos offering technical training in vermicomposting and assisted the women with maintaining the composting bins.

Review a summary of the training activities here. 

Members of Mujeres Unidas pose with Benita Garcia of FAMA after a vermicomposting workshop.
Members of Mujeres Unidas pose with Benita Garcia of FAMA after a vermicomposting workshop.

Mujeres Unidas Visits Organic Products Fair

Mujeres Unidas had the opportunity to attend organic materials fair sponsored by the National Botanical Garden in Santo Domingo in April of 2015. Vendors at the fair showcased a variety of organic and recycled products. The fair was a chance for the members of Mujeres Unidas to network with other community organizations that work in the natural and organic products space. It was also a chance to gain ideas regarding how the organic fertilizer produced as a result of the community composting project in Los Platanitos could be marketed and sold more widely . The U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, James Brewster, also attended the fair, and members of Mujeres Unidas were able to take a picture with him.

A member of Mujeres Unidas presents the US Ambassador with a brochure detailing the organization's work.
A member of Mujeres Unidas presents the US Ambassador with a brochure detailing the organization’s work.