On Monday 30 May 2022, CAOPA handed over 40 life jackets to four women’s economic interest groups (GIE) in the commune of Toubacouta. For CAOPA, the objective of this donation is to ensure good safety for women harvesters and processors of sea products , in the Saloum islands.
Being also the pillars of several families, it is commendable for CAOPA to accompany them in order to improve their living and working conditions, while developing their economic growth.
After handing over life jackets (10 per locality) to women of the villages of Néma Bah, Medina Sangako, Sandicoly and Sangako, CAOPA delegation, accompanied by the coordinator of the LAFC (Local Artisanal Fisheries Councils of Toubacouta, Mr. Arfan Barro, visited the women’s market gardening area of Néma Bah.
Located in the commune of Toubacouta, Foundione district, Fatick region, this 4-hectare area is operated by the Yonne Def Leng women’s economic interest group, which has 80 members.
In this area, peppers, onions, aubergines, okra, cauliflower, etc. are grown.
In 2021, the EIG received support from the World Bank for the construction of an 800-metre wire fence, a 63-metre deep borehole equipped with a 40m3/H solar pump and a sprinkler irrigation system.
Mrs. Gnima Diouf, one of the beneficiaries explained that this allows the women of the community to diversify their activities and increase their income.
They are doing other activities related to sea products.
Also in Néma Bah, the delegation, led by the President of CAOPA, Gaoussou Gueye, visited the mangrove with a dozen women from the Yonne Dioffor Economic Interest Group, where they are farming oysters.
The results of the efforts made are “impressive”. First of all, all members did not have life jackets (before CAOPA provided them with life jackets), even though their work is done in the middle of the mangrove. Not only that, but they lacked adequate equipment of all kinds; shoes, gloves, nets, means of transport, etc.
For their part, the beneficiaries rightly appreciated the donation made by CAOPA. For these women, CAOPA’s donation is a life-saving initiative. Since they work in the middle of the water, in the sea arms.
The beneficiaries welcomed the initiative, prayed for the success of CAOPA, and expressed the wish for a long-term and open collaboration with CAOPA.
It should be recalled that this is not the first time that CAOPA has supported women in the horticultural sector in their activities. In 2020, the continental organization helped women in Joal Fadiouth, in their work of seeding arches. This, after days of cleaning beaches in the Protected Marine Areas (PMA) of Sangomar and Cayar.
Aliou DIALLO