The first workshop was held in Daraiya (Al Chouf District) from March 28 till April 1, with a total of 40 participants who were welcomed by the coop president Mrs. Rima Mourad and AFDC representative Mrs. Siham Salman. Briefly she introduced the main goal of the project aiming to support local communities in particular women.
What's happening at HSS?
Daraya- Nassim Al Farah Coop- Al Ikleem- Al Chouf District
Woman Empowerment through building their Knowledge in Food Production and Safety I
During the first and second day the participants learned about communication and conflict resolutions. The participants learned about different types of communication as verbal, nonverbal, visual, and written communication. Furthermore, the words that can be used, the voice tone and body language. They experienced the effective communication and discussion through a series of activities. Additionally, the participants talked about conflict and misunderstanding that could happen during their work. They have learned about conflicts resolution examples such as internal and personal, between two individual or between two groups or more. Through a set of exercises, the attendees were requested to discuss issues related to their interest, goals, friendships, work place, teamwork, and etc. A discussion about aromatic and medicinal plants was done where the participants learned about its benefits, and planting methods through using seeds, seedling, or cuttings. Different plants were presented as thyme, rosemary, sage, lavender, mint, lemon grass, Carob etc. They have also learned which distillery pots are better and the different available sizes, brands, and qualities.
AFDC
AFDC
On the 3rd day, Mr. Sarriddine discussed with the participants the methods of drying fruits and vegetable using sun light, dehydrators and stoves using different kind of fruits like apple, bananas and different vegetables. After the break the participants learned about organic wastes and compost by collecting fruit peels, unwanted vegetables with some cardboards, and dried weed then set them in a pile for compost. After one month the compost can be used for the plants. Finally, Mr. Sarriddine presented the kitchens maps approved by the ministry of Health and the ministry of Agriculture.
After brief revision of day one, the main goal of day four was presented by Mrs Rima Bou Fakhreddine. The participants discussed the suitable marketing methods, and learned about the marketing strategy definition, goals, tactics, and road map. Through group work, they were asked to write the coop history, types of products, supply sources, local markets, workers, members, products name and etc. They understood the importance of designing a product name stickers or labels for their own identity. Finally, the participants agreed on the responsibilities, roles, and duties among the coop members.
During the final day, cheese processing training was done with Dr. Chadi Mohanna from the Ministry of Agriculture. The participants learned about cheese processing tools and equipment. They used tools for cheese making such as the pots, cheese mold, thermometer, special cheese containers and etc. The participants with Dr. Mohanna made different kinds of cheeses such as Mozzarella, Haloum, Akkawi and baladi.
AFDC
AFDC's main goal through these activities and workshops is to increase the rural communities' skills and capacities, specifically in food production and food safety. Working in agro-food production is essential in the Lebanese rural areas due to the economic and financial situation. Moreover, AFDC is aiming to work directly with women cooperatives and provide them with advanced training sessions to improve the quality and the quantity of their products. Additionally, helping them in finding new markets, getting fresh fruits and vegetable, and selling their product which will increase the women cooperatives daily income.