The production of fruit juice is a successful example of one of our projects in Baraka

Much has happened since the first steps were taken in the project “Fruit Juice Production in Baraka” in the Liberté VI neighborhood of Dakar in Senegal. Thanks to the big-hearted donations and support from the YOU Foundation, the lives of many women were fundamentally changed as well as a big step was taken in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  Helping people help themselves.

With the production and sale of fruit juices, many women were empowered to generate an independent source of income and therefore experience a better life.  Since this year, they can adequately themselves and their families and provide for the education of their children.  Extreme poverty now belongs in the past along with hunger and poor health.

Shortly before the end of our role in the project, the Corona pandemic caused there to be less customers and more uncertainty and fulfilling the mandated hygienic requirements was a challenge for all involved.

Despite the difficult situation, the women did not lose their courage and learned how to deal with the crisis responsibly and use their creativity as well as their new skill set and their new feeling of self-worth to keep going.

The women were schooled by the medical team of Gaspard and received a certificate that allowed them to sell protective masks and disinfectants. This quick adaptation and the will to discover new ways and think creatively allowed the women to survive the pandemic as well as possible given the circumstances.

Despite all the hurdles, they look forward to a self-determined future and thank the project that paved they way for them to act autonomously. We are extremely proud of our women for their entrepreneurship and perseverance!