From 18 March until 2 May 2020, Tigoung Nonma was closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic in Burkina Faso.
Worried for the future of its members, and the need to support them during this difficult period, TN sent COVID-19 projects to the UK charity LAFI Burkina and the organisations Friends of Burkina Faso and GlobalGiving.
Thanks to the goodwill of many, and to several activities led by TN, after the lockdown period and together with several of its partners, TN made a significant contribution to the improvement of food supplies and to the fight against COVID-19 among its members. TN received funding from Friends of Burkina Faso in relation to the prize it was awarded: the ‘Friends of Burkina Faso Award for Peace 2019’.
TN received funding from donors on GlobalGiving which has not yet been spent.
TN has been through a difficult time faced with the loss of two of its members.
2.1 Meetings
2.2 Donations/funding
Mobilisation of Internal Funds
Craft Sales
Equipment Hire
Total amount received from Friends of Burkina Faso: $2000. This represents the donation given for the FBF Award for Peace 2019/2020.
Total amount received from LAFI Burkina : $1,302.51 and $410.87. This was for the fight against COVID 19 and the food crisis members are experiencing.
Amounts received from GlobalGiving:
Total amount received from GlobalGiving: $5,546.86
A total of 20 members had their photos taken for their professional artisan business cards. This service was offered by CABES.
Discussion on Inclusive Education
On 20 October 2020, TN held a discussion on inclusive education with TN’s members and the parents of pupils. This initiative was funded by Humanité et Inclusion who paid TN approximately $179.53.
The discussion was led by two TN members, Léonie and Issouf, who had themselves participated in a training workshop on inclusive education. The aim of the workshop was to raise awareness among parents and TN members of the vital need to advocate for the inclusion of disabled children within the education system. Those involved were helped to realise the importance of an inclusive education to enable young people living with a disability to thrive within society.
25 people joined this session.
The following organisations supported TN during the pandemic:
i. CABES/GIE
On 9 April 2020 TN received a pharmacy package from CABES with 10 masks, 1 container of disinfectant, a bundle of medication and a red cross bag.
ii. Seed for Hope
On 18 April TN received 2 containers of handwash, a container of disinfectant and 10 facemasks. This gesture meant that TN was able to support 15 of TN’s most vulnerable members.
TN’s Assistants
Money Transfer
iii. FENABF (Fédération Nationale des Artisans du Burkina Faso)
iv. ABIPA/CBM (Association Burkinabé pour Inclusion des Personnes Albinos)
Together, these donations were used to support the 12 members who came to have their professional artisan business cards made.
v. Aid & Save
vi. LAFI Burkina : (2nd lot of funding)
TN received approximately $414.21 from LAFI which permitted:
TN served food to members on the occasion of giving of these packages to members.
Direct beneficiaries
Indirect beneficiaries of the project
TN plans to:
We would like to give our sincere apologies for the delay in sending this report which was for reasons outside of our control.
Despite the difficult conditions across Burkina Faso and at TN (concerns for security and the Coronavirus pandemic) we remain determined to help our members to improve their lives and their socio-economic situation. To achieve this, we ask our members not to drop their guard at all as Covid-19 remains a serious threat; they must not become discouraged as they work for their daily bread.
We would like to thank all our partners, our donors on GobalGiving, our customers and, in particular, our ex-voluntary Team Leader, Alice McGonnell, and the members of Friends of Burkina Faso who continue to support us.
(All currency is an approximate conversion into US dollars from CFA).
1.1 Meetings
Tigoung Nonma has:
1.2 Raising internal funds:
1.2.1 Catering Service Orders
From January until the middle of March, TN received 7 Catering service orders.
1.2.2 Craft Sales
One order for 3 leather bags from the UK and some TN sales.
1.2.3 Equipment Hire
TN hired out 90 of their chairs, 2 tents and 10 tables.
1.2.4 Cereal Sale
TN sold 6 sacks of corn/maize and 1 sack of millet.
1.3 Award ceremony
Friends of Burkina Faso (FBF) organised a ceremony for the Peace Trophy to be awarded to the director of Tigoung Nonma. This ceremony took place in TN’s new headquarters.
Mme Zoénabou Savadogo during her speech after receiving the prize, dedicated it to all of her co-workers (TN’s members). For her, this honour/ prize gives her the motivation to persevere in her efforts to work for the well being of all of TN’s members.
She thanks her parents, the ex-technical assistant, the past team leaders, the past volunteers, and the technical and financial partners who have all helped and supported her to achieve this success.
Official business cards were also given on this day to the president of TN, Abas, for 15 beneficiaries.
Tribute was also paid to the ex-president of Friends of Burkina Faso, Feu Mickael Lavoie whose wife accepted a trophy at the ceremony on behalf of her late husband.
1.4 Members’ professional development
1.4.1
TN and 2 managers from ‘Entrepreneur du Monde’ and its project EMERGENCE, held a meeting at TN with a view to find ways to support members with training and entrepreneurial activities in order to allow them to carry out activities to generate money alongside their principal activity: crafts.
1.4.2 Meeting with TN members to understand training and entrepreneurial needs
Of all members invited, 21 members came to the meeting. Through fear of security problems and of the disease CORONAVIRUS, many did not come.
The entrepreneurial needs agreed with members present according to their area of business/expertise are as follows:
From the catering service: 05 members ; Livestock farming : 05 ; DIY/hardware : 01 member ; screen printing/calligraphy : 01 member ; sale of bronzeware : 01 member ; other business activities : diverse goods : 02 members ; sale of woven, cotton fabric : 01 member ; Marketing : 03 members ; Sale of shoes, handbags , pures : 01 member.
II Résults
III Difficulties faced
VI Outlook
V Conclusion
To help our members find other income sources, members must be trained in a skill of their choice, and individually supported through microfinance in order to find new ways of earning, alongside the crafts they already design and produce.
TN remains determined to work for the improvement of socio-economic conditions of its members but currently, the difficult conditions across Burkina Faso (Security and Corona virus or Kovid-19) are eroding this determination.
We thank all our partners, our donors on GlobalGiving and the clients who have contributed to the well-being of TN.
Finally, we ask for the willingness of our partners and our donors to support us to complete our headquarters in order to finally make the move there.
Note from Alice:
From the UK, we participated in one local craft sale in February and have registered to sell at one in May and one in June. Sales were poor in Feburary and I sent £50 to TN which was given to the designers concerned. The fear of CORONA VIRUS is effecting people worldwide and for those whose lives have already been severely affected by the polio pandemic, I imagine this fear runs deep. Fundraising will continue and I continue to search for ways to help Tigoung Nonma.
What is the Peace Prize?
The peace Prize is a prestigious award given to one person in Burkina Faso who has significantly contributed in some way. It is to recognize these contributions at "...all levels, to provide support and motivation to these individuals and to raise powerful examples of good works for others to see and from which to be inspired".
What is the prize?
Zoénabou received a beautiful, handcrafted, bronze trophy and a cheque for $2000 which can be given to a charitable cause of her choice. Zoénabou chose to donate the money to Tigoung Nonma.
1.1. Meetings
1.2. Mobilisation of Resources
1.2.1. Subscriptions and New Memberships
1.2.2. Sales and craft orders
1.2.3. Catering Service Orders
1.2.4. Cereal Sale and Equipment Hire
1.2.5. Fundraising on GlobalGiving
TN finally received the PUH which granted them full ownership of their plot of land and the building for their headquarters.
TN remains determined to work for the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of their members despite the difficult conditions throughout Burkina Faso; unfortunately, they have limited means with which to surmount all of these problems
Note from Alice:
A fundraising evening was held on the 2nd November 2019 in collaboration with UK charity LAFI Burkina, who partner with Tigoung Nonma. During the lead up to the event £1,350.14 was raised on GlobalGiving, which was thanks to the kindness of new and seasoned donors. I also completed 2 commissioned paintings during this time, 100% of the proceeds of which went to the project. The evening was part of Reading International Festival and thanks to Melissa of LAFI Burkina we were able to screen a fascinating film about Art, Politics and Music in Burkina Faso called 'Burkinabé Rising'. There was also live music and a buffet.
A further £255 has been transferred via Western Union to some of Tigoung Nonma's craftsmen and women for items sold at the fundraiser and at other fairs and £213.72 has recently been transferred to GlobalGiving from this event.
Finally, I have completed 3 commissioned pencil sketches, donations for which were put on GlobalGiving.