The Hope of a New Business

In Dédougou, trainings in market gardening inspired women to work together to earn extra income by producing and selling tomato paste made from the produce from their gardens. Madame Traoré, a pastor’s wife, learned about tomato paste and above-ground gardening and is helping her family and neighbors improve their nutrition. 

Today, she trains women in her community and sells her tomato paste throughout the western region of Burkina Faso. She also shares the gospel to those she trains. Her income has increased, and she is happy to contribute to the development of women.

Life-changing Trainings

Terrorism, extreme weather, poverty, and historically poor land management leave West African farmers at a constant disadvantage. 

However, in the midst of these trials, hope is shining through! 

ECHO West Africa training teams have equipped over 3,392 men and women with practical agricultural skills that they can implement immediately to greatly improve harvests.

Internally displaced people groups, living in temporary camps and in desperate need, are being equipped with gardening skills to grow food in small spaces. 

From Failing to Successful Gardens 

ECHO recently partnered with a local NGO to provide 10-day trainings for 564 people. These trainings in market gardening techniques and entrepreneurship are helping families improve their gardening production and boost their incomes. 

Abigaelle Kini was one of the women trained. She and her husband have a small plot of land that they were farming, but they kept trying and failing, never quite knowing how to make it successful.

“After the training with ECHO, I learned how to make natural products to eradicate the worms from my garden,“ said Abigaelle. “My husband and I are teaching our children all that we have learned.”