Konjei Women's Enterprise Centre and Community Water Project

September

2022

The hard-working women of Konjei will soon have a new enterprise centre to support their income generation efforts and the entire community will have a new water well (the water in the old one tasted salty).

Thanks to all of our customers and their ongoing support Baraka has been able to commit to the construction of a Women’s Enterprise Centre and Community Water Well for Konjei. We don’t have all the financing in place yet so will be dedicating all the tips and Dignity of Income contributions from Sept and October to this project – and Baraka will match all contributions made by our customers.

When we construct the Centres we try to keep as much benefit in the community as possible. Where possible we use mud bricks, made by the community and build using as much local materials, labour and expertise as possible.

The women get directly involved too, helping with bringing the water and other activities. Watch for more videos and posts coming as the project gets launched soon.

Women in remote communities face so many challenges when it comes to trying to generate income. They all resort to many different activities and projects, often driven by seasons and economic demand (e.g., when we are producing shea butter that is their focus. We try to avoid conflicts with key planting, harvesting and other activities.)

One of their major challenges is finding a clean place to work and store their production. No matter how much they clean and sweep their compounds, they are still working on dirt and it is hard to keep it from getting into whatever they are working on. The Women’s Enterprise Centre will give them a work and drying platform and storage area, with water nearby.