By Nhi Tong | Communications Intern
“It makes me happy that I am involved and known among others,” Rachel said as she shared business tips with friends who sought her advice. At the age of 27, she is the successful, independent owner of a poultry business in Buchanan City, Liberia.
A stay-at-home mother who aspired to a better life for her family, Rachel enrolled in the BRAC Agriculture and Livestock Program in 2015. There, she received training on poultry rearing management, a package of chickens, and resources like vaccines and medicine. She nurtured the chickens, sold them, and earned a profit that enabled her to expand the business.
Rachel is one of more than 130,000 Liberians reached by BRAC’s Agriculture and Livestock program. Started in 2008, with the support of donors like you, the project has improved food security, nutrition, and income levels for rural communities through the promotion of sustainable and environmentally-friendly farming methods.
Unfortunately, Liberia’s history of war and conflict continues to saddle the country with a sluggish economy. The government considers the agriculture and livestock industry a key tool to help alleviate poverty.
BRAC designed its approach to this challenge with holistic, market-based interventions that foster sustainable commercial agriculture (see the infographic at the end of our report).
Like all BRAC programs, the project focuses on women and young people to increase gender equity and decrease social inequality. In addition to running her own business, Rachel is a wife and a mother of three daughters. After participating in the program, she can now afford to pay for her daughters’ educations. And, her husband helps her run the business and consults with her on family matters. Her growing agency in the household dynamic reflects BRAC’s unique approach to alleviating poverty through women’s empowerment.
Despite the Ebola outbreak in 2014, detailed in our last reports, BRAC is happy to share that this project met its objectives. Here are some of its achievements:
Between 2012-2016:
Looking ahead, BRAC will work to strengthen and expand its social enterprise businesses, connecting more people with resources and opportunities. With a particular focus on market development, agri-nutrition, climate-change readiness, and women and youth empowerment, BRAC seeks to surpass its own ambitious goals. Thank you for your continued support over the years.
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