Soya Milk |
In Katmandu, cow milk is an expensive commodity, the quality of which is
not always guaranteed. Moreover, due to frequent strikes milk may be
inaccessible for long periods. This is why Women's Foundation had the idea of producing soy milk in the traditional way. Made with
soybeans, this milk contains much of the same nutrients found in cow milk and
can be used instead - with much lower cost. Soy milk has therefore proved to be
an ideal option.
Women's Foundation appealed to Dil Se in 2010 to
obtain financial support in order to buy the machine called "Vita Goat
System" that produces excellent soy milk and tofu. The machine was
installed near the kitchen at the Women's Foundation's shelter. An expert from
India first gathered and trained a group of women in production techniques.They
later passed on their knowledge to other women and girls who regularly take
part in the manufacturing process. Nowadays, the facility produces 80 liters of
soy milk intended to supplement the diet of about 160 people, including the
children and teenagers in the childcare center and in the shelter, and some
members of the Women's Foundation. Using the same system, the facility also
produces about 16 to 20 kilos of tofu per month for the shelter.
Since the setting up of the soy milk facility, the replacement of cow milk with soy milk has been a great success. After a short adjustment period, everyone got used to it. The consumers of this soy milk frequently drink the soy milk and it is also used to prepare traditional foods such as rice pudding and milk tea. From the environmental stand point, the production of soy milk does not generate waste and requires no electricity or running water - an important asset in this heavily polluted region. From an economic perspective, expenditures to maintain the shelter and child care center have decreased significantly due to the low cost of soy milk and the ensuing profit, allowing the Women's Foundation to move forward in its process towards self-sustainability.
Since the setting up of the soy milk facility, the replacement of cow milk with soy milk has been a great success. After a short adjustment period, everyone got used to it. The consumers of this soy milk frequently drink the soy milk and it is also used to prepare traditional foods such as rice pudding and milk tea. From the environmental stand point, the production of soy milk does not generate waste and requires no electricity or running water - an important asset in this heavily polluted region. From an economic perspective, expenditures to maintain the shelter and child care center have decreased significantly due to the low cost of soy milk and the ensuing profit, allowing the Women's Foundation to move forward in its process towards self-sustainability.
