Juba Women's Cooperative Introduces Brick Making

Counterpart has partnered with an existing women's cooperative based in Juba, South Sudan to add an income-generating component to the already strong local organization. The coop exists to "strengthen and reinforce the self-help capability of women" by means of improving "health, nutrition, food security, education and socio-economic status" through grassroots means. The organization started in Juba in 1992 and has registered under the Ministry of Social Welfare. The Government of South Sudan has since granted the Women's Cooperative a plot of land which now includes storage facilities and a borehole
 
The Juba Women's Cooperative is currently involved in several activities ranging from adult literacy to health awareness programs to income generating projects. Counterpart has now introduced a brick making component to the women's cooperative as a means of income generation for 10 women. Under this program, Counterpart has supplied one brick machine, one trainer, sufficient materials for several initial batches of bricks and assistance in finding and creating market linkages in order to sell the product.
 
The women will first be trained for two weeks by a professional brick mason in the skill of concrete block making. During the training, the women will learn to mix appropriate quantities of sand, cement and other ingredients in correct proportion, how to operate and care for the brick press, then how to properly cure the blocks over the following weeks. The final result is blocks suitable for construction of schools, government buildings or private residences.
 
Construction is at a peak in Juba – this capital of South Sudan has experienced an exceptional growth rate over the past years. There exists sufficient demand for building materials such as concrete blocks to support the Cooperative's supply thus producing profit for the women.
 
Counterpart works closely with the Cooperative's accountant to ensure that the project is budgeted to allow for sustainability. Creating a sustainable business plan, the co-op was able to grow and expand while the women were able to take home profits to benefit their families.

Please read more about Counterpart's Women and Girls Education and Livelihood Support Project.

Photo: © Counterpart International.