In the Mutimbuzi commune of Burundi, on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, 46-year-old Judith Nijimbere shares her story of struggle and resilience. Judith is married with eleven children and lives in a community that has faced multiple challenges, including flooding that has destroyed many houses. Judith battles to make ends meet through her small farming business. She is the Treasurer of her Village Savings & Loan Association (VSLA) and was one of its first members when it was established four years ago. Available in English and French.
Yolande Ebah Kouassi, from the Marahoue region in Côte d’Ivoire, is the President of her Village Savings & Loan Association. She is 41 years old, married with four children, and cares for her three nephews whose father passed away. She runs her own small business by selling 'attieké', a local food that she makes from the cassava she grows. Yolande's VSLA group started three years ago and has 30 members; its name is Abôkon, meaning unity. She is a VSLA pioneer and has set up new groups and mobilized and inspired 150 women to join groups in her community. She advocates for children's education and educates her community to prioritize children's education and fight child labor. Read More
Each year, the Water Team tributes CARE's Annual WASH Systems award to a team that has done exceptional work to strengthen local capacities and conditions for equitable and sustainable WASH services and lasting water security. On World Water Day 2024, we are proud to present the WASH Systems Award to the USAID-Hamzari WASH team in Niger for their hard work to strengthen the capacities of commune government and demonstrate new models to increase access to WASH services and strengthen water security in Niger. Read More