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Nature can sometimes derail efforts for sustainable development, especially for those that live in areas with regular drought or flood conditions. This is the case for people living in Nouna, Burkina Faso. Nouna is the capital of the Province of Kossi, in the northwest section of this African country, which is landlocked and surrounded by six other nations—Mali, Niger, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo and Benin.
Nouna includes about 20,000 inhabitants in a nation with a total population of about 18.7 million and features extreme weather conditions. Nounans receive about three months of rain annually that may come in devastating floods, or it may rain far less than is needed in three-month span, which may be insufficient to support agriculture. The unpredictable weather patterns have left many people in a state of perpetual poverty. According to the World Bank, Burkina Faso’s gross per capita income was $690 in 2014.
The Daughters of Charity, who partner with Caritas in Nouna, learned that providing emergency aid was becoming constant, with no end to the crises causing need in the region. Aid has included distribution of food, nutrition, or agricultural supplies. With a Christmas donation from our organization in Ireland, we tried assisting a number of poor farmers in hiring oxen for sustainable farming. Though called to help those in need, and committed to improving lives in dire situations, the sisters grasped that families would be more secure with more sustainable sources of income.
The sisters set to work with local women in considering projects which would generate income.In particular, they engaged women living with disabilities as some of the most vulnerable people living in these communities with little access to income generating programmes. The women had difficulties in accessing loans and thus took the initiative to organize. Most women with disabilities were identified as farmers and housewives living in the interior villages and unable to make ends meet. They number about 25 persons between the ages of 20 and 45.
Activities they could engage in, however ranged from soap making, to animal rearing, to increasing the marketability of local products. Madame Traore Elizabeth was a local entrepreneur who sold sheep every six months, which enabled her to look after family needs.When enterprising efforts grow and develop, the women are introduced to micro financing entities, through whom they can qualify for greater credit to boost their small businesses.
The programme established in Nouna meets regularly and each member of the programme group contributes towards meals.They are well structured and feature a president, secretary, and treasurer. Loans are given to individuals and shared among members according to their contribution.
As efforts grew to help women, it also became apparent that marginalized men could benefit from similar projects.Dakuyo Lota is a 23-year-old with albinism who comes from a very poor family in Daboura in the nearby Province of Banwa who lost his father when he was ten. Persons with albinism and others living with disabilities are often marginalized and sometimes targeted in the local society.
Dakuyo tried farming, but could not withstand the sun’s effects on his skin. This factor of reduced ability to engage in farm labour, combined with flood and drought, left him with very little when farming season ended.
Sr. Toyin Abegunde, a member of the Daughters of Charity, worked with Dakyuo in considering alternative for income-generation. Earlier this year, he opened a small shop in the village with a start-up packet provided by our organization. This small business is locally called a “petit trade magasin” where he sells mostly food items.
Loat is now doing very well, growing his income and expanding sales items on his own. The small business has enhanced his self-image and has given him a sense of dignity.He is now well-respected and consulted in the village do to his central position in the community. He is happy and able to care for ophthalmology and dermatology bills, for which he previously needed assistance. He lives with a cousin but is looking forward to buying his own house.
With regard to the women-focused project, its effectiveness is attributed to social solidarity within the programme’s organization and within the community. Participants also regularly follow up and evaluate both needs and successes among members.The project is sustainable as the group has revolving funds which help them continue activities.
Micro-financing organizations offer the loans and engage in the follow up (payments, etc.) that ensure the success of projects and businesses.The Burkina Faso Ministry of Agriculture provides training on farming matters that complement our efforts, such as vaccinations and deworming of animals. Local governments and the church can help by marketing products or raising awareness during organized celebrations.
The social and economic well-being of members is enhanced by this initiative as it creates an institution for sharing ideas. The project also features a therapeutic aspect in that brings members together to discuss other personal and social problems, such as those not linked with their small enterprise, with others in the group. Economically, they share something in common which boosts their income and enables them to sustain families.
The initiative has given the participating women a measure of recognition and dignity in the community. Politically, their voices are heard louder than ever before. Economically, they no longer depend solely upon their husbands for income as they have something to offer in contribution to family upkeep.