OUR SOYMILK PROGRAM
Soymilk is highly effective in combating child malnutrition because it is rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and protein.
Soybean crops in North Korea do not yield enough to meet the needs of the population. First Steps ships Canadian non-GMO soybeans to North Korea to supplement the local supply. Everyday, soymilk factories turn these soybeans into soymilk using specially designed soymilk-producing VitaCow and VitaGoat machines. The soymilk is then transferred to stainless steel milk cans for delivery.
Each morning, fresh soymilk is delivered to children at daycares, kindergartens, and orphanages in the cities of Hyongjesan, Hyesan, Nampo, Pochon, Samjiyon, Tongchon, Yonsa, Dokchon, Munchon, and Wonsan.
Video created by Dean Yoo - one of our volunteers!
Through First Steps’ Soymilk program, more than 100,000 children are receiving a daily cup of nutrient-rich soymilk.
OUR IMPACT
In Yonsa, a northern region of North Korea, we visited the Palsori #3 Daycare where the children receive 100 g of soymilk every day. The daycare is responsible for monitoring the nutrition status of the children and measuring their height and weight. The director, Ho Kyong Hee who has been here for five years expressed her gratitude, "Thank you for not forgetting about Yonsa.”
During our visit in September, we went to the Waudo Daycare and Kindergarten Supply Centre which supplies soymilk to over 6000 children. Our partner Mrs. Jo Jong-Suk shared, ”Sometimes it’s really not easy to produce enough milk for all the children. When you send the soybeans from so far away, I can’t tell you how grateful we are.” Mr. Kim Phyong said, ”the children really love soymilk and people have a very good impression of First Steps supporters.”
At the Hyesan Hyemyong Daycare, we met a group of 2-5 year olds who receive a cup of delicious soymilk every day. The Director Ri Jong Suk shared that the children’s height and weight has increased since they started receiving soymilk. The kids love the soymilk so much they will often finish their cup and ask for more!
HOW OUR SOYMILK IS MADE
STEP 1- SOYBEANS
Soybeans have been an essential part of Korean cuisine and agriculture for more than 1,000 years, providing a major source of protein. Soybeans are considered a "complete" nutritional source, containing all the essential amino acids the body needs. They contain good carbohydrates and fat, and are also rich in vitamins and minerals, including calcium, folic acid and iron. They taste great, too!
Our non-GMO soybeans are grown in Ontario and shipped through China to North Korea for delivery.
STEP 2 - PROCESSING INTO SOYMILK
VitaGoat and VitaCow machines are sent by First Steps to increase the soymilk production capacity of our partners in North Korea. These machines have become integral components of First Steps’ soymilk program since they were introduced in 2004 (VitaCow) and 2005 (VitaGoat). First Steps has since shipped 45 VitaGoats and 55 VitaCows to soymilk production facilities in North Korea.
VITAGOAT
The VitaGoat is fuelled by wood, coal or corn cobs rather than electricity. Therefore it can be placed at sites where electricity is unreliable or non-existent – which includes much of the country except Pyongyang, the capital. A VitaGoat can produce 15 - 30 litres of soymilk every 30 minutes.
VITACOW
The VitaCow is powered by electricity yielding an amount of soymilk equal to the daily output of more than 20 milking cows. A VitaCow produces 40-45 litres of soymilk per hour.
STEP 3 - TRANSPORTATION
After the soymilk is produced, the steaming milk is then poured through a filter directly into stainless steel milk cans to avoid the growth of bacteria and product spillage. Then the soymilk is transported (often on three-wheeled motorcycles or bicycles) to children at daycares, kindergartens and orphanages.
1 STAINLESS STEEL MILK CAN COSTS $100 AND HOLDS 20 LITRES OF FRESH NUTRIENT-RICH SOYMILK.
