A woman from Wouro Madiw displays the dried moringa powder and peas she now sells at the market.
It’s easy to see the physical transformation a garden brings. Dusty, barren fields quickly become verdant oases overflowing with vegetables and fruit trees. What’s harder to see from afar are the quieter revolutions taking place inside participating villages. Beyond the fences, these gardens are reshaping local economies, creating prosperity that reaches far beyond the harvest.
This year, that transformation has reached a new high. Together, Andando’s partner women’s gardens have built collective savings of $60,953! That’s group savings in addition to the individual profits earned by garden members. In rural Senegal, where access to capital is scarce, this is extraordinary! In the hands of women who have long been excluded from financial decision-making, it is unprecedented.
The women of Wouro Madiw have surpassed their goal, saving more than twice the target amount, with an impressive $4,280 now in their account.
These reserves mean the gardens can manage their own year-to-year operations and repairs without waiting for outside assistance. They also open the door to new opportunities. Some cooperatives are now transforming their harvests into dried or preserved products that command higher prices. Others have launched microfinance associations, lending from their savings so members can start businesses or cover urgent expenses. What began as a source of food security has become a platform for growing women’s leadership, innovation, and resilience in each community.
The president of the Keur Pathe Malick cooperative signs the 50/50 cost sharing agreement after reaching the savings goal.
When Ndiawara’s pump failed last year, the cooperative’s savings allowed them to replace it immediately and keep the garden running.
In the harsh environment of the Sahel, setbacks are inevitable.
What’s different now is that these women are prepared. With savings in hand and strong cooperatives to lead the way, they are shifting the future of their villages, making these gardens, and women’s leadership, a permanent part of each community.
Sare Diouma’s cooperative reached their savings goal earlier this year, making them eligible to expand their garden with aquaculture basins.
