To understand our relationship with the Tawira, you have to
first understand their relationship with Mopawi.
Mopawi is a non-profit group dedicated to promoting sustainable
development in the native Miskito and Garifuna populations
in La Mosquitia, a rainforest in eastern Honduras. Their name
comes from “Moskito Pawisa,” which means “development
of la moskitia.”
Mopawi believes that both the ecosystem and culture of the
Mosquitia region are at risk. As natural resources become
scarce elsewhere, outside interests have attempted to move
in to exploit the region. Mopawi works as an advocate for
the Miskito (called “Tawira” in their native language),
reviewing any proposed development projects, and approving
only those that they deem to be in the best interest of the
rainforest and its native people.
Ojon for Sale
For some years, the Tawira sold ojon oil to others in the
region on a very small scale. In the mid-1980s Mopawi helped
them to promote the product on a national level, in hopes
of generating income for the producer families in the region.
By the 1990s, they were selling less than 2,000 liters (about
2,500 small bottles) of ojon oil a year, generating approximately
$5,000 a year. This meant an income of less than $67 per producer
each year.
At the end of the 1990s, Denis Simioni, now president of Ojon®Corp.,
appeared on the scene expressing an interest in marketing
the product internationally. With the consent and assistance
of Mopawi, we placed our first order of ojon oil with the
Tawira in mid-2003 – 4,500 liters (about 6,000 bottles).
In order to ensure that the Tawira would gain a better quality
of life from the venture, Ojon®Corp.
offered to pay 230% of the previous market price for the raw
oil.
In 2004 production totaled 30,000 liters, providing the Tawira with an increase in income of 450%, benefiting over thousands of people.
Improving on Tradition
Traditional methods of extracting the oil from the ojon nuts
required large quantities of firewood, which was taken from
the rainforest. In order to preserve this resource, Ojon® has begun supplying the Tawira with high efficiency clay ovens.
We also supply motor boats to help with the transportation
of the raw ingredient from village to village. In fact, Ojon®Corp and Mopawi have taken full responsibility for transporting the Ojon® oil. Previously, producers had to carry small quantities of ojon from their villages to sell in Puerto Lempira, a journey of 1 to 3 days paddling each way.
Partners in Progress Ojon®Corporation
holds annual meetings in the rainforest with all of the producers.
We go from one village to the next, listening to any concerns
and providing an update on the progress of Ojon®
in the marketplace.
Naturally, Mopawi and the Tawira want to secure sustainable
long-term benefits from Ojon®
production and commercialization. Forest management is essential.
A first study has been completed to understand the current
status of the palm trees in the rainforest and the management
requirement going forward. Ojon®Corporation
has committed to providing a percentage of earnings to the
Tawira for forest management purposes.
Supporting Education An Ojon® Scholarship Fund will be started
in 2005 to benefit disadvantaged school children in the Ojon®
production area of Rio Kruta and the vicinity. This Fund will
encourage youth to further their studies and develop leadership
skills. In the first phase of the project, the Fund will help
them to access secondary level education; in future, a higher
education. A local Community Committee will administer the
Fund, granting scholarships to the most outstanding students
based on school records and guided by a scholarship regulation
system.
