Production materials and initial stock for Bamtaare Rewbe Fouladou

Year: 2014
Country: Senegal
Project Status: Funded
Impact Sector: Economic Opportunity
Project Investment: $498.20

Project Launch:

In August 2014, ten women in Kolda, Senegal formed the Bamtaare Rewbe Fouladou women’s group and launched a local cereal production project. With $12 USD, they purchased millet and began producing sachets of dried lacciri (millet couscous - a food staple in Senegal consumed throughout the country) and ñeele (a courser type of millet, also a food staple in Senegal). From transforming millet into value added products, the women are not only generating an income, but also setting a prime example for women leadership and entrepreneurship within the region.

 

The women are aiming to increase monthly production and diversify their products. Currently, they are borrowing equipment from community members. The project will provide the women with essential materials and tools, such as sifters, cooking pots, and buckets, as well as enough millet for six months of production. To diversify their products and generate more income, the women are motivated to begin bissap, ginger and babossb juice production.

 

Project Update

Having the proper tools and equipment to transform their millet and corn allows the women to work better, faster and more hygienically. They brought nearly 100 bags of their goods (couscous and ñelee sachets) to a regional agricultural fair, where they were able to sell their products and market their business. The women designed a label to brand their products, which is starting to become known in the community. Over the next few months, the women will continue to grow and market their cereal production business.


 

Testimonials

"This opportunity has not only provided these women with the necessary tools to increase their production, but has more importantly, provided them with the courage and confidence to view themselves as arbiters of their own futures. It is really exciting to see them grow together and have their success be noted by other members of the community as well.” - Stephanie, Peace Corps Volunteer

 

"Here in Senegal, women have many children, but don’t always have the resources to provide for them. Projects like this help us women to make the money we need to raise our children, to send them to school and to improve their lives.” - Yaye, Project Leader

 

"Our work combats poverty of women in Senegal because here, it is the women that are in charge of the house. If women have nothing, it is the children that suffer. Women support children - their clothes, their lives, everything they need, it is taken care of by their mothers and women. This is why, for women, they need to have small business to be able to take care of their needs. This is why this project has helped us to better our business so that we can better support our children and our needs." - Maimouna, Project Participant 

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