Our community raised £4,203.74 in July, which is now on its way to support 100 women farmers in Burkina Faso. This total includes the generosity of our members, alongside an additional £1,000 grant from the Eleanor Rathbone Trust, whose support is enabling five of our previously funded projects to go even further. Together, these funds will help Self Help Africa provide training, equipment and practical support to women cashew farmers, enabling them to build stronger businesses, increase their incomes and create brighter futures for their families.

For many women in Burkina Faso, farming is already a way of life, but limited access to resources, training and markets can make it difficult to earn a reliable income. Women often carry much of the responsibility for feeding and supporting their families while having fewer opportunities to expand their businesses and achieve financial independence.

This project helps tackle those barriers by providing the skills, tools and support women need to increase productivity, improve the quality of their produce and access more profitable markets. Alongside agricultural training, the programme also promotes greater leadership, confidence and decision-making power for women within their households and communities.

The result will be stronger businesses, more resilient families and lasting economic opportunity, with incomes and yields expected to increase by at least 20% for the 100 women taking part.