Thanks for taking the time to visit Tigoung Nonma`s fundraising page.

Over the next 3 months 'International Service', an International Development Charity based in the UK, will be working in Burkina Faso with their partner agency Tigoung Nonma.
Tigoung Nonma, meaning Strength through unity in Moore (the local language), is a co operative dedicated to supporting the needs of artisans with disabilities. Created in 2005 by artisans with disabilities, the co operative provides opportunities for local artisans to gain new skills and sell their products, whilst simultaneously promoting their work and raising awareness of the benefits of fair trade in the international and national market.

From January- April 2012, we (a team of 6 volunteers and one team leader) will be working closely with the staff at Tigoung Nonma. Tigoung Nonma faces many challenges and obstacles that prevent them from growing and building their capacity to provide a sustainable living allowance. The co operative generates very little business due to a number of limiting factors, both practical and social. These factos include the following: 

Stigma
It is not the disability but the negative attitudes towards people with disabilities that inhibits their socio-economic inclusion. Tigoung Nonma is dedicated to confronting the root cause of the oppression of with disabilities and increasing their socio-economic inclusion. The co operative aims to empower its members to become a force for positive change.

Location and working space
Tigoung Nonma`s headquarters are a tiny office down a dusty backstreet in the capital of Ouagadougou. This space is dedicated to storing products and running the co operative. The lack of space means that all manual work must be carried out elsewhere before each member attempts to transport their goods to the office.

Transport- :
Some artisans live on the outskirts of the city. Transporting their products to the Tigoung Nonma office is therefore a real challenge, both due to their disability and the cost and time that is involved.

Materials-:
Burkina Faso is in the top ten poorest countries in the World according to the Human Development Index (UNDP, 2011). Almost half the population live below the poverty line ($1 a day) and the tourism trade is extremely low. Finding opportunities to sell the crafts and products produced by artisans is therefore very difficult. The members of Tigoung Nonma rely on the small amount of international trade generated by the co operative to buy more materials and support their families.

Our team hopes to draw on the support of our family and friends to provide funds that would make a real difference to Tigoung Nonma`s current situation.

The money that we raise will help to buy:

1.      A scooter and side carriage- used to transport each members goods to the Tigoung Nonma office.

2.      Materials- for the members

3.      A new workspace/location for Tigoung Nonma

4.     Paint and washing materials to re-decorate and re-open the food kiosk outside Tigoung Nonma. This will generate sustainable funding for the co operative.

5.     Promotional Material to increase the sales of each product. 

Please dig deep and donate now.