LÉO — Forty-five internally displaced women in Léo have been trained in saponification techniques by the Association of Young Entrepreneurs of the Center-West Region (AJECO), enhancing their ability to generate income through soap making.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the training held from June 24 to 28, 2024, is aimed at fostering income-generating activities for these women. The initiative was supported by the Support Fund for Vocational Training and Apprenticeship (FAFPA)-Burkina, providing both financial and technical assistance. Over the course of five days, the women learned various methods and strategies to produce high-quality soap products and effectively compete in the market.
Mr. Zongo emphasized the entrepreneurial spirit encouraged during the training, urging the participants to utilize their new skills to create quality, competitive products. He expressed his vision of using the ongoing security crisis as a catalyst for innovation and resilience, allowing those affected to maintain hope and self-sufficiency.
The project is part of a broader effort by AJECO to support 500 displaced women from the Center-West region in various income-generating projects. Mr. Zongo thanked FAFPA for their crucial support, which was instrumental in the successful execution of the training program.
Local authorities, including Kassoum Koalaga, president of the special delegation of the commune of Léo, and Tewendé Isaac Sia, the high commissioner of the province of Sissili, praised the initiative and reassured their continued support for AJECO’s activities aimed at improving the livelihoods of the community. They encouraged the trained women to actively use the provided equipment to support themselves and their families.