The Full Belly Project, and what became of Jock

A couple of years ago, I was idly 'googling' some of my old Toronto film technician buddies.  We'd moved away several years earlier, and lost track.  It's fun to see what others get up to.  Almost hoping for some surprises.  When I googled 'Jock Brandis', I was not disappointed.  

Google the name now, and more than a page of entries comes up.  Including the 2008 Purpose Prize, a Wikipedia entry, a documentary film called 'Peanuts', and a feature on CNN about the Full Belly Project.  

On a visit to Africa several years ago, Jock noticed that the women who were shelling raw peanuts, their cash crop, had sore and bleeding hands.  Jock was sure that a machine to help shell the raw nuts must be available somewhere.  But research came up blank.  He would have to invent something himself.  So he did.  He researched, and called upon known peanut experts, including former US president, Jimmy Carter.  He tried a couple of prototypes, refined the model.  He was determined to make the sheller both cheap (about $28) and transportable as a mold to be completed in its final home.

When we worked together years ago, Jock had been a lighting director, or gaffer, in film and television production. A kindly man, he often befriended newcomers to the business, and was helpful to all.  He was also very inventive, and casual in the extreme. In one sci-fi film, we duplicated the Oval Office and the War Room. One huge wall displayed a map of the world, with tiny lights for the location of various bombs. Its complex lighting system, designed by Jock, was activated by...a coffee stir stick!  Whatever works!

Now, through the Full Belly Project, and with the help of volunteers, he ships molds for the nut sheller to 17 countries ....and counting.  Each 'factory in a box' can be walked to its final destination, and the sheller manufactured within a day. The Malian Universal Nut Sheller is revolutionizing farming in many developing countries, making it much more efficient and profitable, and freeing the women for other things.  The spent shells can also be ground and made into cooking fuel briquets, a great boon.  Recently, the sheller has been modified to process shea nuts and jatropha, a bio-diesel crop.

In the video that appears on the fullbellyproject.org website, Diana Rohler, project manager, says that Jock is greeted in many villages as a hero.  "He's bigger than Elvis", she says.  How cool is that.  What an inspiration!

To donate, or learn more about Jock, the peanut sheller, and the Full Belly Project, check out their website.  fullbellyproject.org

Here's the video link:  http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid3706366001?bclid=3712830001&bctid=3747856001