Home News United Nations G-77 Initiative

G-77 Initiative
PDF Print E-mail
Rupani Foundation's "Mine to Market" program to be presented as a "Success Story" at the G-77 Conference in 2009

The Rupani Foundation’s successful efforts to assist the Mountain Communities in remote areas of the world by helping them to develop economically sustainable “Mine to Market” programs will be a “Success Story” example for discussion during the G-77 and China Conference activities to be held in 2009.
unwesupport
Under the “Mine to Market” program, in the remote mountain areas of Pakistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan to name a few, which are rich in minerals such as semi-precious stones, the Foundation builds trade schools that teach the village men how to effectively mine the minerals. The trade schools are equipped with gem cutting and polishing machinery and the village women are taught how to cut, polish and enhance the stones. The difference to the village economy is significant. Where a raw, unfinished stone may bring a villager 10 Rupees, a finished stone can easily provide the villager 200 Rupees or more.

Generally the schools operate from 8 AM to 1 PM. When classes are over, the villagers are free to use the cutting and polishing machinery and tools for their personal use. This is when entrepreneurship begins for many of them when they purchase raw stones and turn them into polished ones ready for resale.

In addition, as students graduate, the Foundation makes available tools for them to use in their home, so that, as an example, a mother can take care of her small children at home while cutting and polishing stones brought in by the father or other villagers.

The Foundation is now looking at replicating this effort in Madagascar and other potential countries, as well as expanding the number of schools in those countries where schools currently exist.

Ambassador Francis Lorenzo introduced the Rupani Foundation’s “Mines to Market” model to the G-77 Ministers at the Dominican Republic, and recommended that the Foundation’s model for a sustainable revenue program for indigenous people be considered as one of the “Success Stories” for discussion by the Ministers. Foundation Chair Nasruddin Rupani will, make the presentation.

< Prev   Next >
 

Making A Difference

The mission of Rupani Foundation is to engage in the Mountain regions of the world to integrate underprivileged areas and people into the evolving global socio-economic society during the coming decades.

Volunteer

The Foundation is always in need of dedicated volunteers who can assist in the war against poverty. Do you want to contribute to the international development of Mountain Communities?

Partnerships

Rupani Foundation will continue to cultivate relationships with NGOs, private foundations and local institutions that share our Vision and Goals. The scope of these partnerships will span the globe with the objective of maximizing the reach and impact of our collective efforts for the benefit of Mountain Communities.