Food Processing: Day One at ITTU—Preparing to build our machines!

Today was our first day at ITTU in Kumasi. We woke up after a good night’s rest and left for work at 7:30am. ITTU is located in Suami Magazine, a town that specializes in selling any and all parts of cars. If you could imagine an outside market-type where store after store after store is filled to the brim with their products, each one specializing in one specific product (tires, screws, bumpers, doors, steering wheels, belts, etc.) then you would be imaging exactly what we saw. 

Suami Magazine

Suami Magazine

At ITTU we finally met William, James and Francis, part of the team who operates the manufacturing of the Grater and Press in Ghana. We began by unpacking all the gear we brought in 9 suitcases; we filled up our room with piles of metal, plastic, and baggies as we sorted all our material.

We focused on preparing our tasks that we will be accomplishing in the next two weeks. The Tech Subteam worked on listing machine inventory so that they know what materials we still need to purchase to build our machines. They were even able to start testing some spot welding for a machine part that was ideated back at Olin. The Business Subteam spent the day with Deborah, talking about the cost and pricing of our machines.

Team Task-list Board

Tech Subteam

Business Subteam with Ben and Deborah

During the day we were able to eat the mangos we bought on the drive over to ITTU--the mangos were small, juicy, and very sweet! We also drank and ate some fresh coconuts from a woman who came to ITTU with a bowl full of them. We asked her to come back tomorrow! We are learning to drink water from sachets as well as wash our hands with them. At my first attempt I squirted my face on accident! But I'm getting the hang of it. 

Today was a great first day--excited for tomorrow!