Agricultural cooperative members sort eggplants that they recently harvested from their garden.
One year after partnering with Dining for Women in Thieneba, CREATE!’s programs in this community are thriving. The cooperative garden in Thieneba is bearing hundreds of kilograms of eggplant and tomatoes. This spring, women mobilized to form VSLA groups, which now meet weekly. Thieneba agricultural cooperative members are thrilled with these programs:
Anta Baba and Ndeye Top, both members of the agricultural cooperative in Thieneba, are pleased with the progress of their cooperative garden. Anta told us, “Through CREATE!, we can see our savings grow and our living conditions improve with the sale of vegetables.” Ndeye added, “With the help of CREATE! technicians, we have the training and practical experience to manage garden activities ourselves.”
Women in Thieneba attended VSLA training sessions in March. CREATE! field technicians led the training.
Beneficiaries in Thieneba also appreciate the security and ease of the CREATE! VSLA program. Awa Diouf notes, “VSLA is participant-focused and really addresses the needs of women in our community. I also appreciate the added security of the lockbox and three separate key holders.”
Community residents are so pleased with success of this project that village leaders are planning to expand the gardens and begin poultry production! With hard work, CREATE!’s programs in Thieneba will thrive for years to come.