LEBANON

Development Cooperative of Jizzine

WRF-Lebanon partners with the COOP--a legally registered cooperative formed by approximately 200 registered members who are all survivors of landmines and war. The COOP provides employment opportunities and manages, markets, and processes the goods produced by its members. The home-based enterprises receive regular professional inspection and support to ensure high quality products and ongoing skills development. Certain processing aspects, however, take place at the COOP.

The COOP building houses the:

Honey and Beeswax Processing Unit;

Laboratory Unit (for honey testing);

Cold Storage Room;

Distillation Unit;

Feed Selling Unit

Product Packaging Center; and

Storage Room.

The honey, egg, chicken, goat’s milk, and herb products are either sold directly by the beneficiaries or by the COOP. The profits are significant and have transformed the lives of the individuals, their families, and the community as a whole. The program is designed specifically to work within the cultural context of South Lebanon and does not add undue burden on families. Additionally, many aspects of how the program is run came directly from the community.