Women's Cooperatives
Empowering women through sustainable livelihoods
Transforming Communities Through Women-Led Collectives
Since 2022, we've been working with women in Isiolo County to establish thriving cooperatives centered around sustainable gum arabic collection and processing. These cooperatives have become powerful engines of economic growth and social change in their communities.
Through a combination of technical training, financial inclusion, and market access, we've helped empower over 2,500 women to take control of their economic futures while contributing to environmental conservation.
75%
Increase in household income
2,500+
Women empowered
12
Active cooperatives
Our Approach
We take a holistic approach to women's economic empowerment, recognizing that sustainable change requires addressing multiple interconnected challenges.
Organizational Development
We help women form, register, and effectively manage their cooperatives, providing training in governance, leadership, and conflict resolution.
Technical Training
We provide comprehensive training in sustainable harvesting techniques, quality control, primary processing, and storage to maximize both income and environmental sustainability.
Financial Inclusion
We facilitate access to financial services through savings groups, mobile banking integration, and microfinance partnerships specifically designed for women entrepreneurs.
Market Access
We connect women's cooperatives directly to premium markets, eliminating intermediaries and ensuring fair prices for their high-quality gum arabic.
Voices from Our Cooperatives
Hear directly from the women whose lives have been transformed
"Before joining the cooperative, I struggled to make ends meet. Now I have a stable income from gum arabic collection, and I've even started a small side business with my savings. My children are all in school now, and my voice is respected in community decisions."
Fatuma Wario
Chairwoman, Isiolo Women's Cooperative
"The training we received not only helped us harvest better gum arabic but also taught us how to protect our environment. We now understand that our livelihoods depend on keeping these trees healthy for the future. I'm proud to be teaching my daughters these skills."
Leila Kofa
Member, Merti Women's Collective
Measurable Impact
Our women's cooperative program has created tangible, lasting change
75%
Increase in household income
83%
Report improved food security
68%
Increased decision-making power
90%
Children now attending school
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Support Our Women's Cooperatives
Join us in empowering women through sustainable gum arabic collection and processing. Whether through product purchases, partnerships, or investments, your support makes a difference.
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