PROGRAMS FOR PROGRESS.
ICE CREAM ENTERPRISE
ASOGESTA: ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN RECYCLERS
SCHOOLS FOR LIFE
REVENUE GENERATION PROGRAM
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Background: 250 widows, victims of the 1990’s violence, found themselves heads of household, without any means of support. Most of them were illiterate, so finding a job in the area was almost impossible.
Project Description: In 1992 Fundaunibán helped them form a cooperative called Gesta and organize to start collecting discarded plastic bags and strings in 112 banana farms, and then processing them into farming supplies, thus creating employment and educational opportunities.
Impact: In addition to its social and economic impact, Gesta has had a tremendous environmental impact by decontaminating 30,000 hectares of soil, while improving the farms' productivity. Among many others, in 2005 Gesta won the best Recycling Industry Program Award from the Colombian Environment Ministry.
Background: 250 widows, victims of the 1990’s violence, found themselves heads of household, without any means of support. Most of them were illiterate, so finding a job in the area was almost impossible.
Project Description: In 1992 Fundaunibán helped them form a cooperative called Gesta and organize to start collecting discarded plastic bags and strings in 112 banana farms, and then processing them into farming supplies, thus creating employment and educational opportunities.
Impact: In addition to its social and economic impact, Gesta has had a tremendous environmental impact by decontaminating 30,000 hectares of soil, while improving the farms' productivity. Among many others, in 2005 Gesta won the best Recycling Industry Program Award from the Colombian Environment Ministry.
"One of the women lost
almost her entire family.
Thanks to her work at
Gesta, she even managed
to finish high school and
today her daughter works
here as well."
- Ana Yenny Gomez,
Manager, Asogesta
TRANSLATED FROM SPANISH
