Context

In Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, a large part of the population lives in conditions of extreme vulnerability. Due to the strong gender inequality, entire segments of the population, such as widows and single mothers, often find themselves without the means to support themselves and their children, with the risk of social and economic marginalization.

In this context the initiative was bornHOPE-TEEBO Association, which is committed to creating concrete opportunities for the autonomy of these women, offering them training and tools to build a dignified future. In particular, the project “Faso Danfani Koko Donda” It is proposed to start a weaving and sewing workshop, where beneficiaries can learn the art of making traditional Burkina Faso fabrics. This activity will allow the women involved to acquire professional skills and generate income, for the benefit of the entire community.

Burkina Faso is also one of the largest cotton producers in West Africa. and agriculture related to this crop represents a fundamental part of the country's economy.
However, for years, a large part of the cotton produced has been destined for export, without the added value of its transformation remaining in the country. For this reason, the Burkinabe government has recently launched several policies aimed at encouraging the local transformation of cotton and the production of traditional fabrics, in order to encourage a more solid national textile industry and enhance the local cultural heritage. One of the most visible aspects of this strategy is thewidespread use of traditional fabrics Faso Danfani and Koko Donda in official uniforms. Today, in Burkina Faso schools, students wear uniforms made from these fabrics, thus contributing to the internal demand for local textile products. The same principle applies to government authorities and other institutional figures, who are required to wear clothes made from Burkinabe fabrics during official events and ceremonies. This choice not only creates a significant and timely internal demand for tailored products, but also represents a strong element of cultural identity and national pride.

Learning objectives

The project fits perfectly into national development policies, contributing to the valorization of the textile tradition of Burkina Faso. By offering widows, single mothers and vulnerable people the opportunity to learn the art of weaving and sewing, the project not only promotes their economic autonomy, but also allows the dissemination and preservation of Burkinabe culture through the creation of fabrics that are part of the country's history and identity.

Activities

The project “Faso Danfani Koko Donda” involves the creation of a weaving and sewing workshop where women in extremely fragile conditions (widows, single mothers and women victims of violence) will be able to learn the art of working with traditional Burkinabe fabrics.

The beneficiaries (20 women per season) will receive a complete training which will allow them to acquire expertise in weaving and sewing fabrics Danfani's faso e Koko Donda. These women will meet inside the laboratory, where they will have access to looms of different sizes and quality raw materials, as well as experts who will transfer not only technical but also entrepreneurial know-how: the goal is for them to become independent both in the production of fabrics (they will be given small looms on free loan that each can keep in their own home) and in their marketing, thus generating an income for themselves and their families.

In addition to practical training, the project also includes broader support, which will range frompsycho-social support, which will allow these women to strengthen their self-esteem and regain confidence in the future; to job placement paths, through specialized internships.

An impact that goes beyond individual beneficiaries

The support offered to women through this project will not only have an impact on them, but will extend to the entire community: by ensuring mothers have a secure source of income, it will directly contribute to reduce food insecurity and school dropout among their children, who will be able to have better opportunities for growth and education.

This will create a virtuous circle in which professional training will intertwine with economic and cultural growth: each piece of fabric produced will not only be an income opportunity for the women involved, but also a step towards building a more resilient economy rooted in local traditions.