Today we’re checking in on our project in Gourcy. Located in the north of Burkina Faso, Gourcy is a small village whose inhabitants have particularly suffered from the effects of climate change. The situation was so dire many considered migrating. A few years ago we launched our initiative in the region. Thanks to your support, a lot has been happening since! We’ve set up an agricultural cooperative, funded a mill, dug wells, and grew a garden, creating an area of vegetation in the desert. We are about to finish the construction of a granary and a farm storage as well as a deep well. Making sure we have enough water and work for everyone in these harsh, barren conditions is a daily struggle.

As you can see in the picture, the ground surrounding our garden doesn’t have much vegetation. We’ve managed to create a green oasis in the desert thanks to an irrigation system and solar-powered water pumps – all funded by you!

Dozens of people in need have already found work in the garden. These were the most vulnerable locals who weren’t able to feed their families. Today, they grow onions, tomatoes, cabbage, eggplants and zucchini. Not only are they able to provide food for their families, they can also sell their harvest at the local market and enrich the diet of other villagers. For the first time, we are also growing banana trees.

Mamounata, a mother of nine, has been working with us for a month. She is incredibly thankful to you for the opportunity to work in a garden. Her gratitude is reflected in her enthusiasm towards taking care of the land, which she treats like the greatest treasure.

Village elders remember a time when the entire area was covered with cotton plantations. Everyone knew how to cultivate and care for the land. Unfortunately, the last dozen years have completely changed the landscape as lack of rainfall and persistent droughts make the land increasingly arid. Thankfully, locals haven’t lost hope. They still have the same work ethic and skills to look after the land. With Good Factory’s help, and amenities purchased thanks to your generosity, the landscape is becoming ever greener.

Visit GoodWorks24 and donate a set of tools or bricks to help with building out the garden to create new opportunities for the residents of one of the poorest countries of the world, where 44% of the population lives below the poverty line, on less than $1 USD a day. For populations living in poverty, the economic crisis caused by the pandemic can lead to hunger and death. Your purchases on Goodworks24 allow us to provide tools, access to water and land for growing crops, restoring hope. We feed, teach, and provide work, and by doing so truly change lives.