Rockflower Celebrates Progress and Resilience at New Cassava Processing Plant in Burkina Faso

A group of beneficiaries of ABFB standing proudly on a construction site with building materials in rural Burkina Faso.

Rockflower is thrilled to share an inspiring update from our collaborative project with the Association Burkinabé des Femmes Battantes (ABFB) in Burkina Faso. In a remarkable display of strength and determination, the women of ABFB, many of whom are displaced, survivors of domestic violence, and living in extreme poverty, have come together to build a cassava processing plant, marking a significant step towards economic empowerment and independence.

The new facility, focuses on producing attiéké—a popular cassava-based side dish akin to couscous—promises a sustainable source of income as well as a clear path forward for many women who have long been seeking employment. These women have literally laid the foundation of their future, involving themselves in every step of the construction process, from making bricks to assisting with the physical build of the store.

Their efforts extend beyond construction. Each day, the women gathered resources, including water for brick-making and materials like sand and stones, ensuring that the building process could proceed smoothly. They also raised funds each day to provide meals, fostering a sense of community and solidarity with the construction team on site.

A group of vibrant women & children from ABFB celebrating in front of the newly completed cassava processing plant.

The initiative has received enthusiastic support from local leaders, with the village chief and local authorities expressing their gratitude for the project's impact on the community. This venture is not just about building a plant; it's about rebuilding lives and restoring confidence.

At Rockflower, we are moved by the strength and spirit of the women of ABFB, who demonstrate that with unity and hard work, transformation is possible. This project goes beyond economic benefits—it's a testament to the power of community and the unyielding spirit of women who are determined to change their lives and the lives of their families.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to follow the journey of these incredible women and the growth of the cassava processing plant in Burkina Faso.

Supporting Women in Burkina Faso Through Cassava Processing

Rockflower is pleased to announce a new collaborative project with the Association Burkinabé des Femmes Battantes (ABFB). This joint endeavor aims to empower women in Burkina Faso by establishing a cassava processing plant to produce attiéké, a popular cassava-based side dish.

Recognizing the challenges faced by internally displaced women, domestic violence survivors, and women living in extreme poverty, ABFB has been working to provide agency and resources to improve the lives of these women. Through regular meetings with the affected women ABFB has identified that the most critical need is income generation.

The women at the organization have determined that processing cassava into attiéké presents a promising solution to address this need. Cassava, a staple crop in Burkina Faso, offers high yields, resilience to drought, and substantial nutritional value. Attiéké, a sought-after side dish akin to couscous, has witnessed growing popularity in recent years, yet the current production levels are insufficient to meet the demands of wholesale purchasers such as restaurants, schools, and hospitals.

The primary objective of this project is twofold. Firstly, the establishment of a processing plant dedicated to converting cassava into attiéké will provide a sustainable and reliable source of income for the participating women. The potential for large-scale growth in attiéké production holds promising prospects for economic empowerment and financial stability. Secondly, the processing plant will serve as an educational center, offering training and knowledge-sharing opportunities for women interested in learning about cassava processing and venturing into the market with their own cassava-based products.

By investing in this project, Rockflower aims to effect lasting change by creating opportunities for sustainable income, fostering entrepreneurship, and advancing gender equality in Burkina Faso. The partnership between Rockflower and ABFB exemplifies the power of collective action in driving positive social impact. Through its amazing network of donors and supporters, Rockflower is pleased to provide funding and resources to ensure the successful implementation and long-term sustainability of the cassava processing project.

Update on Association Burkinabé des Femmes Battantes’ Weaving and Dyeing Project

Rockflower Partner, Association Burkinabé des Femmes Battantes (ABFB), based in Burkina Faso, has just completed the training phase of their Weaving and Dyeing project. The year-long project aims to train and employ 20 women facing extreme poverty and joblessness through the installation of a weaving and dyeing loom in Godin village. 

Burkina Faso is a small West African country that has long suffered from droughts, flooding, and increasing desertification, overgrazing, soil degradation and deforestation. Over the past decade, the country, which was once one of West Africa’s most stable, has been under constant attack by terrorists and local rebels, leaving many areas decimated, and many citizens displaced. In 2013, the French military intervened to counter terrorist violence. However, in June of 2021, France announced their intention to end this military operation, and the effects of this decision have the potential to devastate the nation. 

“Things have become much worse in Tin-Akof recently,” Boubacar Dialo, a displaced citizen, told Al Jazeera. “Terrorists have a chokehold on the area. There are no more markets, so the vehicles no longer come and there is no work. Before, [fighters] just came to loot our animals, kidnap the people they were looking for and leave. Now it’s come to the point where they just burn down whole villages.”

The country also has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world, at 36% and only 1% of girls graduate from high school. This lack of education has led to a staggering 52% of girls married before the age of 18. The nation has the worst rating in the world for the health of mothers with less than 50% of Burkinabé having access to clean water. For women and girls seeking to support themselves and their families, there are very few options.

Given the desperation of the country’s current situation as well as the nation’s high unemployment rate of 77%, ABFB’s project is able to offer a light of hope to women, many of whom are victims of child marriages and domestic abuse, in the village of Godin. The 20 women who are currently participating in the program have completed a 30-day training in using the weaving and dyeing loom and will soon be able to generate income through the sale of yarn and cloth. In addition these 20  women will train additional women in the skills they’ve learned as the project progresses, ensuring a continuum of sustainability. 

Aline W. Bontogho, ABFB president, told us, “This project is the very first activity that the women of the village of Godin will benefit from. Apart from this project, the women have no activities to do and are left on their own without any activity that will allow them to get out of poverty, but thanks to your support, they will carry out an Income Generating Activity (IGA) which will greatly contribute to their development and the development of Godin.” 

As the organization moves into the next phase of this project, they are excited to begin generating income, and helping the residents of Godin Village gain financial stability during such an extremely challenging time for the nation. The women involved in the program will soon have the ability to financially support themselves and their families, which will allow them agency over their lives. 

Association Burkinabé des Femmes Battantes

Burkina Faso

In March, the government introduced restrictive measures to attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19, including closing borders and schools, and banning gatherings of more than 50 people.

The markets in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso’s capital, have been closed since March 25. The government opened one on April 20 as a test to see if the rest of them could be safely reopened. “Sellers and customers who entered the market this week had to wear a mask, wash their hands and have their temperature taken, said Armand Beouinde, Ouagadougou’s mayor. He said that only two people are allowed inside shops at one time, and that all shops had to carry hand sanitizer.”

Concerns and Challenges

Association Burkinabé des Femmes Battantes (ABFB), similarly to many of our partners, has seen families suffer due to the lack of a daily income as a result of the markets being closed. The risk of starvation and COVID-19 infection are higher for them as food, sanitizers and face masks are hard to come by.

Currently, ABFB’s Weaving and Dyeing Project has not been affected as it is in Godin, Burkina Faso. However, ABFB is challenged with the travel restrictions and was unable to make it out of the capital for a time.

Adaptation Measures

ABFB organized early outreach awareness programs by educating women and children beneficiaries of their projects on preventive measures against the coronavirus. Demonstration sessions on washing techniques hands were incorporated.

Emergency Fund

ABFB used the money from our Emergency Fund to purchase essential food items, soap and face masks. All of these were distributed to 30 women on April 22 to comply with restrictions put in place by the government and to an additional 40 women over 2 days, April 23 and 24, who visited ABFB’s headquarters to receive the items.

Rockflower Partners with Association Burkinabé des Femmes Battantes on Weaving and Dyeing Project in Burkina Faso

Rockflower is pleased to announce a new partnership with Association Burkinabé des Femmes Battantes (ABFB) over the next 12 months to install a weaving/dyeing loom in Godin village.

The ABFB was created in 2008 by a group of women who recognized a common desire to fight for the development of women. The organization now has 300 members, based in Ouagadougou with five auxiliary groups. The organization has 812 beneficiaries, with programs to produce and process shea butter, chicken farming, weaving and dyeing, education on hygiene and sanitation, fighting HIV, and the promotion of human rights with special emphasis on the rights of women and children.

Find out more about the Weaving and Dyeing Project.