PROJECT PERU
Posted by John Schatz
Soy Cow Operation Going Strong
This project is the result of a unique partnership led by Southwest Oshkosh Rotary and supported by the Oshkosh
Rotary Club and the LaMolina Vieja Rotary Club in Lima Peru. This joint project has become a model of international cooperation and effective project management in Peru and is one of the few soy cow projects that have persisted beyond the initial phase.
This operation also produces a by-product of undiscovered fiber called "okara" which is utilized as an ingredient in the production of bread by a government supported bakery. The protein rich bread is distributed th the needy along with the soymilk. As a result there is no waste product and the full nutritional value of the soybeans reaches those in need.
Management of the project is very "hands-on" under the leadership of Rotarian Bill Thimke who along with other Rotarians visits Peru several times a year to check on the "cows". Bill was trained by the cows' manufacturer to assemble and repair the machines and thus often brings new parts and services the cows on these visits.
In 2010 La Molina completed construction of a new building to house both the current machine and a new and much larger ASC50 machine which doubled the production capability and increased production capacity to over 4,000 servings a day. The $21,000 machine was funded by the two Oshkosh Rotary Clubs. La Molina has also purchased a new delivery vehicle and has taken over the funding of the beans and other supplies.
A cow installed in 2007 in Ate, Peru continues operation under the Oshkosh Rotary Club sponsorship. Also in 2010 a new soy cow was installed in the northern Peruvian city of Piata and Rimac in cooperation with the local Rotary Clubs.
This project is the result of a unique partnership led by Southwest Oshkosh Rotary and supported by the Oshkosh
Rotary Club and the LaMolina Vieja Rotary Club in Lima Peru. This joint project has become a model of international cooperation and effective project management in Peru and is one of the few soy cow projects that have persisted beyond the initial phase.
This operation also produces a by-product of undiscovered fiber called "okara" which is utilized as an ingredient in the production of bread by a government supported bakery. The protein rich bread is distributed th the needy along with the soymilk. As a result there is no waste product and the full nutritional value of the soybeans reaches those in need.
Management of the project is very "hands-on" under the leadership of Rotarian Bill Thimke who along with other Rotarians visits Peru several times a year to check on the "cows". Bill was trained by the cows' manufacturer to assemble and repair the machines and thus often brings new parts and services the cows on these visits.
In 2010 La Molina completed construction of a new building to house both the current machine and a new and much larger ASC50 machine which doubled the production capability and increased production capacity to over 4,000 servings a day. The $21,000 machine was funded by the two Oshkosh Rotary Clubs. La Molina has also purchased a new delivery vehicle and has taken over the funding of the beans and other supplies.
A cow installed in 2007 in Ate, Peru continues operation under the Oshkosh Rotary Club sponsorship. Also in 2010 a new soy cow was installed in the northern Peruvian city of Piata and Rimac in cooperation with the local Rotary Clubs.