“Raspberries for peace” supports the return of the refugees and the creation of the necessary conditions for a multiethnic cohabitation. It is part of a broader long term programme that has already witnessed the creation of open nurseries and greenhouses for the production of good quality plants and of new varieties, the creation of experimental irrigation and freezing systems. The goal of this project is the creation of a laboratory for the transformation of fruit in jam, preserves and syrups. On the one hand it can diversify the production of the cooperative, which will be able to offer not only fresh and frozen products but also a transformed product with a higher profit margin. On the other hand it can increase and give greater stability to the position created by the cooperative, which is subject to seasonality.

The project also provides for the adaptation of the working areas and for the purchase of the necessary equipment to begin production and for consistent manufacturing tests during the first year. It also provides for development of the production line. In the second year the supply of the equipment and the organization of the storage rooms will be completed.
The employees will also be trained in the preservation, storage, marketing and sale of the products.

Period: from 01/01/2007

Population: 12 women who are the heads of their families (they live alone with their children) in extreme poverty in Montevideo, Uruguay. They live in conditions of extreme vulnerability without being able to meet basic needs and in areas called “the marginal brink of the city”. This refers to their ranking in society and also to the fact that these marginal zones of the city are also the site of the largest waste dumps of the city.

Beginning: 31/05/2008

In 2005, the Associazione Fondo Progetti Solidarietà did an assessment, on the territory, of all the interventions made so far by Ayuub. After various meetings with girls and women involved in emergency programmes, programmes for orphan assistance, education, basic health, professional training, adult literalization and cooperatives, this project was elaborated. The guidelines and the methods of intervention were discussed with the representatives of the female groups of the 32 villages involved. The local partner, the NGO Ayuub, is well known in these villages because ever since it was created it has handled various emergency and development interventions directed especially to women.

The preliminary studies for the project revealed the illiteracy of the women, the lack of professionalism and the lack of financial resources. These are the main problems, which are connected to cultural and traditional factors and that prevent women to move forward.

Based on this information, the necessary actions were identified. They are based on the continuation or the extension of the actions which have already been undertaken (the fight against FGM, micro credit, crafts courses, adult literalization causes, courses for health workers) and on the creation of new actions: increasing the female attendance level in primary and secondary school, literalization of the women in rural villages, professional training for women, new work opportunities for women and the elimination of FGM.

Period: 01/01/2008

The role of women in relation to the use and supply of water has to be valorised.The intention of the School is to favour awareness in the new generations regarding the importance and correct usage of water sources. It intends to support the women of the communities, so revalorizing their political and social role in relation to water. For the women of the area, the School will be a reference point for seminars and conferences valorising their role inside the family and the community and their natural position in the education of their children.

Water is also as a distinguishing element: socially, culturally and also spiritually.
Women and children are extremely tied to water more than others and more than others are in contact with water on a daily basis.