Against a backdrop of growing insecurity in Burkina Faso, the ‘Weaving my life together doesn't scare’ project aimed to help poor widows and heads of household in the diocese of Nouna to become financially independent.

These women had told the Daughters of Charity about their daily challenges and expectations, and this led to the identification of the skills to be acquired and the resources needed to set up a weaving workshop.

Rigorous planning and management to ensure the success and sustainability of the project

Once the funds had been received, each stage was carefully designed and implemented to meet the needs of the beneficiaries and maximise the project's impact on the community:

- creating partnerships with local suppliers for the supply of materials and equipment
- purchasing and receiving looms, sewing machines, dyeing materials and other complementary equipment
- safe transport of equipment to the training site and adequate storage to preserve the quality of the materials
- installation of machines in the weaving workshop and organisation of workspaces to optimise efficiency
- a transparent and fair selection process to identify the widows who will benefit from the programme
- training sessions in weaving, sewing and business management, led by qualified trainers, but also with the help of widows who shared their weaving skills
- launch of production of high-quality textile items
- and lastly, developing marketing by taking part in local markets and setting up sales outlets.

"70 female heads of household have benefited from this project. Each family has an average of 7 members,
That's 490 people benefiting!" Sr Toyin

A project on a human scale but with a major impact for widows and their families

- more than 90% of beneficiaries have acquired skills certified by practical assessments in weaving and business management
- the weaving activity generates income that contributes to improving their diet, access to healthcare and education for their children
- the project has developed the self-confidence and self-esteem of these widowed women
- the mutual support has fostered the creation of strong links and a support network.

The only difficulty encountered is the very varied initial skill levels of the beneficiaries. Future training sessions will include individual support and remedial workshops for women experiencing difficulties.

Sr Toyin describes the journey and ‘rebirth’ of Yézoumahan, widowed at a young age with three children and no support or resources.

‘Every day was a battle against loneliness and anxiety. Her life took a positive turn when she joined the project. Yézoumahan found a welcoming and supportive environment in this group of women who, like her, had experienced loss and suffering and shared the same hopes.’

Her efforts to learn quickly bore fruit, and she began producing quality textile items. By selling her creations on local markets, Yézoumahan has generated a stable income that has transformed her life: she now provides for her children. This community weaving activity has also helped to break the solitude that was eating away at her: she has rediscovered her zest for life, and is looking to the future with optimism. She has plans to expand her weaving and sewing activities, and dreams of opening her own shop... She even plans to share her skills to help other widows escape from poverty.

‘The introduction of new weaving and sewing techniques has even improved the quality and diversity of local textile products, making them more attractive on the markets! The widows who have been trained are now seen as important economic players in the community, increasing their integration and participation in community activities’. Sr Toyin

Weaving and spinning are in full swing, and the atmosphere is just right!

This project was also proposed as a Lenten action to Vincentian schools and was a great success.