Jatropha Pepinye

by Daniel Schnitzer

Here in Terrier Rouge, I’ve been visiting the remarkable Jatropha Pepinye project for the past few days.  In just two years, JP has demonstrated the technical viability of the Jatropha value chain.  A top-of-the-line expeller produces Jatropha oil, and a micro-biodiesel plant built by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center yields biodiesel and glycerin.  The project currently employs six full-time staff, and is experimenting with recipes for liquid soap production.

While I’ve been here, JP has been hosting volunteers from the nearby Haven Project, which is devoted to building quality homes in small towns in Haiti.  Haven principally uses local contractors for construction, but is now in the midst of its “build-it week” where 260 volunteers (mostly from Ireland) are plastering, painting and installing plumbing and home wiring in the 200 homes which have been built here.

Check out more of my pictures from Jatopha Pepinye.

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