Some women have acquired land from their husbands or family members to start their own farms. And through VSLAs, we are helping women to buy land for cultivation. Members of VSLAs use the funds for a broad range of investments, including purchase of fertilizers allowing them to increase their yield, start-up capital for new businesses, expansion of existing businesses, starting new cocoa farms, rehabilitating old cocoa farms, and hiring laborers. The social fund helps with emergencies such as illness, hospitalizations, or a death in the family.
Women are now active in Cocoa Life at the community level, and women in the group support the other women during harvesting and pruning. The most rewarding part of my work is when I see my other sisters applying new skills on their farms. I'm proud of them and all the women in our community. They are great role models for the next generation and I hope to inspire my sons and daughters to grow up to be cocoa farmers too.
Those who participate in the Cocoa Life programs have realized significant increases in their crop yields. We can then not only support our families, but also give back to our community. It helps women build confidence in their abilities to be cocoa farmers, and through this program, communities are encouraged to lead their own development. These are amazing accomplishments.