HELP Sonia raise funds to set-up business in Bobo Dioulasso

Our good friend Sonia needs help to support her family!

She lives in Burkina Faso and has struggled to find work and support her family, since the conflicts in 2014 led to many ex-pats leaving the country and not returning. Her normal employment is as an au pair working with foreign families, and since the time of the coup d'état in 2014, she has struggled to find steady and reliable work.

Her situation is now urgent, and she is in desperate need of income to support her immediate needs. We have helped her cover costs until now, but her family are in desperate need of a sustainable and reliable income.

Burkina Faso at the time when we are living there was the 3rd poorest country in the world. It still has a hue poverty rate and inflation rates rising in 2024 have made the situation worse again.

Sonia was incredible support to us during the conflicts when we were there. She worked for our family when we were ex-pats living in Burkina Faso. My husband was employed with Glasgow University working as a researcher and we relocated in 2014. She was like family to us and a very loyal and loving friend. We'd love to help her back on her feet, and set up her own business so she can provide for her family and have some continued security for the future.

The Plan:

Sonia has a plan to rent a kiosk and buy equipment to open her own food kiosk, selling home-cooked meals prepared by her. She's a fantastic cook and I believe she will make a total success of this.

She needs 1500'000 CFA (~£1500) to start-up. This will give her the rent and supplies to operate for a full year. After this time, her profits will cover her rent and ongoing overheads.

In Burkina Faso, women are responsible for providing the income for the household as well as painting the upkeep of the home and looking after the children and home. It's hard work, and yet no-body could be more hardworking and dedicated as Sonia. She never complains and has consistently found a way to deal with the daily challenges and adversities that have been thrown at her over the years since we left.

We'd love to show support for her and any small amount you can donate would be greatly appreciated.

My heartfelt thanks!

Claire