Odile Ani’s arrival in the village of Tomé, in the plateau region of Togo, marked the beginning of a transformative journey. She, her husband, and their two children made the decision to leave their home in the north and relocate to this fertile land, drawn by the promise of better agricultural opportunities.
Though she has only been in Tomé for a short time, Odile has already become a part of community life. She’s a member of the local Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) group, as well as the women’s group of the Nomessi cooperative.
Empowering Communities
The VSLA is a community-led financing group where 25 members save collectively, take out loans, and support one another’s ventures. The group began its latest cycle in February 2024 and meets every Tuesday morning before the day’s work begins. Members use these funds to invest in their farms, start small businesses, or cover critical expenses like school fees and emergencies.
“It was very difficult for me to save before,” Odile says, “But now, with this approach, I’m able to save enough to contribute to the VSLA.”
Odile’s dedication is paying off. She’s not only supporting her children’s education but has been also saving up to get identity papers for them—an essential step for their future opportunities.
“This activity gives me financial security,” she says, “I’m satisfied knowing that in time, I’ll be able to support my oldest child who has just graduated from a technical training school.”
The VSLA members share a common goal: hosting an end-of-year party to celebrate their unity and hard work. They are setting aside a small portion of their contributions for this event. Meanwhile, the group’s success has not gone unnoticed; more villagers are eager to join, prompting plans to expand the programme in the next cycle.
Monetising Waste
In addition to her involvement in the VSLA, Odile is a participant in the women’s group that is turning waste cocoa pods into soap.
Using palm kernel oil and potash derived from the waste pods, the group produces around 40 bars of soap each week. These are sold in local markets in Tomé and the nearby town of Kpalimé. The income generated allows the group to reinvest in raw materials, ensuring the sustainability of their enterprise.
“We share the work and operate in groups and shifts,” Odile explains. “I really enjoy this activity, and we’ve learned so much about different ways of processing.”
The group plans to use some of their profits to build an outhouse to shield their work area from the sun, create storage space for equipment and products, and find better ways to transport the pods from remote plantations. Their ultimate goal is to expand production, add labels, and reach markets beyond their village.
“I’m so happy to have learned soapmaking skills through Beyond Beans,” says Odile, “Now, I can train others and add value to what was once cnsidered waste. This activity provides a good income and even eliminates our own need to buy soap.”
About Midjo
Through the Midjo project, supported by Strauss Group and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), we support cocoa and coffee farmers through activities intended to increase their basic income by diversifying income, increasing production, and reducing child labour.
