Short Summary
I am a woman, an immigrant, a mother, and an entrepreneur. I grew up in Gando Namoni, in the Savannah Region of Togo in West Africa. In 2002, I came to the USA. I got involved in my community and gave some shea butter lotions to friends. They loved the lotions and that was how I started my business. Shea was something I took for granted growing up. It is the perfect salve for skin but it’s also much more. It sustains the lives of women and families across west Africa. I’ve launched this project so I can work with women in my village to make shea. I will help them improve the quality of their shea, plant shea trees, and connect them to buyers. With your help, we can use shea to build a better world! Learn more about my products on my website:
https://www.kadidja.nyc.
What We Need & What You Get
I am trying to raise $25,000. It will fund my work with the women's group in my village, Gando Namoni, in Togo. I will help them set up their group, develop a functional business, and then organize the logistics necessary to deliver their shea butter to market. I know all of the women and their families well, they are women in my hometown and I understand how to work with them.
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I have some wonderful perks to thank you for your support. My shea lotions moisturize and heal damaged skin. I have special products for men with beards - but it's also perfect as after shave, too. And I have a cool T-shirt that is unique and perfect for summer!
The Impact
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Shea is great for skin - but it's even greater for women in west Africa, who collect shea nuts and make shea butter. They use the income to feed their families and pay school fees, among other things. But they are often exploited by big companies that buy their shea nuts and butter, who pay the lowest price. I will make sure the women I work with get a premium price for the shea they make. The more I earn from selling products made with their shea, the more they will get to improve their lives.
For the last five years, I've built a small shea company in the USA and now I want to use my success to help the women in my village. I am sure with your support I can help them set up a sustainable shea butter business, too.
Risks & Challenges
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Developing a business in Togo is not a small thing. There are many challenges. Transport and logistics are expensive. The women need to set up a functional group to manage the shea butter production process.
I have strong relationships with the women, which will allow me to collaborate well with them. I also have worked with the different people who will be instrumental to the success of our collaboration: transporters, local authorities, Customs, etc. While I know it will require a lot of work, I am determined and deeply committed to the idea that shea can improve the lives of everyone, from the women all the way to the consumer.
I will keep you updated on my progress every step of the way, too, with regular reports in my newsletter!
Other Ways You Can Help
Even though monetary donations are appreciated, that’s not the only way you can help!
If you cannot contribute at this time, sharing this campaign is more than enough!
We often sell our products at farmer markets and street fairs (primarily in NYC but on rare occasions, we venture out!), so follow on social media to keep up to date!