Success story
Volunteer in Parakou: when shea gives me a spicy adventure
I'm an agronomist with over 20 years' experience, and I'm lucky enough to be spending four months in Parakou, Benin, supporting the Federation of Women Shea Butter and Almond Producers as a commercial marketing advisor. I'm passionate about local development and working together, and my role will enable me to help strengthen the management skills of women producers and improve the marketing of their products.
With a bachelor's degree in agronomy and solid expertise in project management, I've worked on a range of initiatives, from agricultural strategy to supporting local organisations. My mandate in Benin allows me to use my skills to make a lasting impact, putting women producers at the heart of economic development.
Why Benin? Why shea?
Here I am in Benin, volunteering with CECI, trying to describe this odyssey that is turning my daily life and my emotions upside down. Through this blog, I'm sharing the sometimes chaotic but hugely rewarding journey of international volunteering with humour, emotion and intimacy.
Affectionately known as CMC, when I accepted this position as Commercial Marketing Consultant, I knew that I would be using my past experience in agronomy and commercial management to support the team and the women of the Fédération Nationale des Productrices et producteurs d'Amandes et de Beurre de Karité (FNPK-Bénin). Of course, I wanted this adventure to enrich me both personally and professionally. Even though my African roots were irresistibly calling me to this departure, and despite all the hours I'd spent preparing for it, I hadn't anticipated the extent to which the intensity of this journey would multiply my apprehensions.
The first steps: Like a very spicy dish
Arriving in Cotonou and then settling in Parakou was a bit like tasting a very spicy Beninese dish for the first time: surprising, intense, unsettling, but you end up enjoying it and even asking for more! Between the “zem” journeys (those motorbike taxis that I love, despite a few scares!), my fierce battles to negotiate a pineapple or a mango at the market, and my first hesitant linguistic steps in Fon and Bariba, every day was full of challenges and smiles.
Powerful encounters and strong emotions
My discussions with the women shea producers were incredibly moving. Their resilience, their tenacity, the difficulty of their work, their joie de vivre through dance, their smiles and their determination in the face of the many challenges linked to production, economic and climatic issues often moved me to tears. Together with the FNPK-Bénin management team, we have developed concrete business strategies, clearly identified strengths and opportunities, and together we have made progress towards organic certification, which is essential to strengthening the economic autonomy of the women who benefit. Their courage and commitment have given me even more energy and motivation to support them.
The day USAID let us down!
Of course, there were unforeseen circumstances... Like that famous day when USAID abruptly stopped its funding, plunging everyone into a difficult period. Beyond the initial shock, this crisis became an opportunity to demonstrate our collective creativity and perseverance. With the team, we rolled up our sleeves, drew up a new business plan for an ambitious project and applied for more funding. What a lesson in life and resilience!
Daily pleasures and complicity
Beyond the work, I have discovered an incredible closeness with my Beninese colleagues. I have fond memories of shared meals: whether it was attiéké fried fish, fat rice or the famous poulet bicyclette, toubani, mashed yams or voandzou. Every moment we spent together talking about our respective cultures, laughing about our linguistic awkwardnesses, strengthened the unique bonds that make this experience so special.
Towards a promising and sustainable future
Professionally, this mandate has enabled me to play an active part in the development of FNPK-Bénin. We have set up a solid business plan, taken major steps towards organic certification, and applied for promising funding to provide sustainable support for the women, cooperatives and unions that are members of the federation.
This mandate is not just a one-off moment in my professional life, it's the start of a great African adventure. And I can't wait to find out what happens next!
See you soon for more spicy adventures!
Our partners
Thank you to our financial and implementation partners, without whom this project would not be possible. CECI's volunteer cooperation program is carried out in partnership with the Government of Canada.
