Our Visit to Mama Folonko
- Claire Hewitt
- Mar 2, 2016
- 2 min read
Whilst in Kartong, Gambia we visited Mama Folonko, a solar food drying project set up in 2015.
The project is managed by Buba who took time out of his day to show us around. At Mama Folonko they solar dry a number of different products including mango, tomatoes, papaya, nana (mint) and Moringa leaves.
It was great to see innovative ideas like this making use of the abundant West African sunshine. The project not only produces quality food stuff, it has also created a number of jobs and incomes, mainly for women, in the Kartong area. The women pick and prep the crops, such as the Moringa leaves, ready to be dried.
Moringa, a plant, is fast becoming the new ‘super food’, with its anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering, and cardio-protective properties.
It also contributes to maintaining skin, vision and immune function. We had previously heard of Moringa as we’d both (Emma and I) personally used it in face creams. Knowing about the amazing health benefits we jumped at the option to buy Moringa Tea bags with Nana (mint), which Buba freshly made for us.
We hope to see products such as the Moringa Tea bags readily available in shops back home. The tea which had Nana (mint) added to flavour was so refreshing and the healthy benefits, including anti-aging, are defiantly an added bonus!!
If you ever find yourself in the Kartong area please take the time to Visit Buba and Mama Folonko. It was great to see new projects such as this one happing in order to support the Gambian trade. We wish you every success Buba and co!!
If you wish to visit the Mama Folonko project or want to find out more contact Buba:
Email: Bubamanneh63@gmail.com
Telephone: +220 9283354
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