In the heart of Ouagadougou, in Burkina Faso a quiet revolution is unfolding, stitch by stitch. For decades, many women in Burkina Faso have struggled against economic hardship, lacking the means to provide for their families. But through Association les Bénévoles de l’Espérance (ABE) (the Volunteers of Hope Association), which is undertaking the Women Empowerment program, dubbed Bringing Resilience to Women and Girls in Africa (BRWGA), supported by AJAN, hope is being woven into the very fabric of their lives.

Led by l’Association les Bénévoles de l’Espérance (ABE), this initiative empowers women by providing them with vocational training in traditional weaving. The goal is simple but transformative—granting them financial autonomy through income-generating activities. Since its launch in July 2024, the project has already impacted 20 women, giving them the resources and skills needed to sustain their families and communities.

On the left we have Ilboudo Justine and on the right we have some of the loincloths that she has woven

For women like Ilboudo Justine, the impact has been life-changing, she says, “Thanks to the financial aid we received, I’ve been able to develop my business and send my children to school. I’m happy with that. However, the difficulty lies in the slowness of the market. It’s difficult to get our loincloths to market. Since Christmas, I’ve been supplying my merchant customers with my loincloths, but I haven’t yet received full payment because there isn’t enough demand on the market. We would like to thank the donors of this loan, may God bless them. We would like you to help us again with ideas for the sale of our loincloths. We also hope that this loan will continue so that we can renew our loan at each due date.”

On the left we have Zeda Edith and on the right is her together with her colleagues during the weaving process

Zeda Edith, another beneficiary, echoes this sentiment. She says, “First of all, I’d like to thank God for this help, because when I took out this loan, my financial situation was difficult. It has helped me a lot, because I earn more and this helps me to support myself and pay my children’s school fees. We pray that God will bless the donors even more, that he will grant them long life, health and strength, and that he will bless their activities. Thank you very much for this loan. The difficulties concern the slowness of the market. Once you’ve finished weaving, it’s hard to sell your products. Unless you’re lucky enough to get direct orders from certain customers.

Beyond weaving, the project nurtures resilience. Women like Kabre Simone and Sibalo Suzanne have not only gained financial stability but also newfound confidence. Equipped with raw materials and weaving looms, they have transformed their small businesses into sources of hope.

The initiative extends beyond mere financial aid. It builds a sisterhood—a network of women uplifting one another, overcoming obstacles, and reclaiming their independence. As Mrs. ZONGO Félicienne, president of ABE, puts it: “This project has given these women the power to take charge of their lives, provide for their families, and walk with dignity.”

Mrs. ZONGO Félicienne, president of ABE.

She continues, “On behalf of the members of ABE and the women who have benefited from the project, we would like to thank AJAN for the support and training he has given us. We see that they have even begun to train the center to help it become self-sufficient and no longer dependent on foreign aid. That’s something, and we’d like to thank them for all their efforts to help the network move forward, especially ABE. We can see that the project is a real success because, to hear the women tell it, how their life has changed it gives us a smile. I don’t know if that’s the case elsewhere, but it’s certainly the case here, because they have to do everything for themselves, for their husbands and for their children.”

Despite facing hurdles such as market instability and limited selling opportunities, the women remain steadfast. Their collective prayer is for the project to continue, expanding its reach to uplift even more women. They dream of establishing an official sales center—one that will give their woven fabrics the market presence they deserve.

In the end, ABE Women Empowerment is not just about weaving cloth; it’s about weaving futures. It is a testament to the resilience of women who refuse to be defined by circumstances. With continued support, they will not only survive but thrive—one thread at a time.

By, Association les Bénévoles de l’Espérance (ABE).