Empowering women through micro-credit in the Casamance, Senegal
Program-participant with her wares.
Photo: CWS
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Church World Service is helping rebuild communities in the Casamance, southern Senegal, destroyed by over two decades of conflict. More than 720 women in 34 communities in Ziguinchor and Kolda, Senegal, are learning and gaining the skills to better provide for their families, thanks to income-generating activities and training. Other program activities include building and rehabilitation of wells, housing and school construction, and assistance with health care basics. Church World Service provided School and Health Kits valued at $129,035 as well as contributed $100,000 to support income-generating activities.
The program is inspiring hope for a better future and is helping to steer the population on a peaceful path.
Niarra Diedhiou, 52, has three boys and one girl. Widowed once, Niarra's second husband had an accident and is incapacitated.
Niarra received 20,000 Communauté financière d'Afrique (CFA) francs, approximately $39.02 United States dollars, of credit and started selling oil from palm tree fruit. She also buys and sells a local condiment named "garmi." She is making a net income of approximately $3.70 a day, has reimbursed approximately $24.97, and has a savings of approximately $39.02. Niarra says she wants to build a new house with her earnings because the existing one, built in 1979 with traditional techniques, is not safe; she also wants to earn more to support her children’s education.
Satou Ba Diedhiou, 39, is married and has eight children. Before she joined the program she sewed clothes and sold donuts. Satou received 35,000 Communauté financière d'Afrique (CFA) francs, approximately $68.28 United States dollars, credit for five months and started a business selling palm oil and lemon juice. After repayment, Satou now has a net income of approximately $48.77, and approximately $48.77 in savings.
Satou is looking to boost her income and is seeking an additional loan that will enable her to diversify her business, and by making more money from her business she will be able to fund her children’s education.
Church World Service's international partners in this effort are Catholic Relief Services and Christian Children's Fund.