b'Olivia Lassey Gabriel HiniWomens Empowerment Cooperatives Project Manager, Programme Manager Ave RegionThrough providing training, and financial and technical For me, it is important to support vulnerable peoplesupport, we can empower agricultural producers to and help them to improve their living conditions.increase their productivity and income. I care deeply about To help communities, especially women, to have anthis programme as it works towards improving the lives incomegenerating activity, giving them financialand living conditions of smallholder farmers and their independence so they can support themselves and theirfamilies.children. They will have a voice in the decision-making of their families, and with this support, they can reduce poverty and change their livesAmbroise HoundzouCooperatives Project Manager, Cyril Gagban Plateaux RegionMUSA Project Manager What gives me the enthusiasm for this programme is the solidarity that is encouraged between the cooperatives and the realisation that together they can develop and One of my dreams is to see grassroots communitiesflourish. Some communities have already achieved food flourish and people full of hope and joy. Thanks to thesecurity through this programme, and with continued mutual health insurance I am confident that this dreamfinancial and technical support and social training we can is gradually coming true. Whenever I receive testimoniescontribute to the development and improvement of the of how the mutual has contributed to reducing the costsliving conditions of smallholder farmers and theirof healthcare for a beneficiary, when he himself leastfamilies.expected it, it brings joy to my heart. I believe that for the well-being of our communities, the MUSA is an essential tool.Gabin AmouzouWezou Lim Project ManagerEloge AlonaEnvironmental Sustainability Manager The safe water project supports women, as women and girls are the ones who suffer the most if there is a lack of water in a community. This project entrusts women with Working on our vital projects, which aim to work towardsthe responsibility for their water source, and experience has the sustainable development goals, means we can have ashown that the involvement of women in projects increases real impact to significantly reduce the effects of CO2 ontheir chances of success and sustainability.humans and the environment. This project has brought about changes in the communities, The changes which will have the most effect on the regionand of all of these changes the most important for me is will be the reduction of deforestation and air pollution,that women instead of having to walk long distances to and by nurturing our biodiversity and ecosystems, we willcollect water, now go about their business allowing them to naturally see an increase in harvests and health. have income and independence.'