Funded by Pawanka Fund, the project aims to strengthen food systems and economic empowerment of women, targeting 150 women across TAD's membership.
The inaugural cohort, held in Taibatou village, brought together 30 women from Sandu, Wuli East, and Wuli West districts. Over the course of the training, participants will gain hands-on skills in cereal processing, value addition, and agribusiness management, ultimately improving food security, reducing post-harvest losses, and boosting rural women's economic opportunities.
Omar Jabang, CEO of Nafa Food Processing and trainer for the program, outlined the importance of food safety and quality control.
"By educating and training women on the basic principles of food safety and quality assurance, they can understand the necessary steps to ensure the production of high-quality, uncontaminated food." he said.
Through interactive sessions, Jabang demonstrated the significance of personal hygiene in food processing, including clean fingernails, hand sanitiser use, hair covering, and a clean working environment.
At the event, participants expressed gratitude and enthusiasm for the training.
Meta Kebbeh, a participant, applauded the opportunity they’ve been exposed to, something she said, is crucial for her personal growth.
"We must not forget the valuable lessons we have learned in this training, as it will help not only ourselves but also our communities in the future." she stated.
She thus thanked TAD and Pawanka for their efforts.
Also speaking, Masanneh Wally Bandubeh shared her personal experience, highlighting how the training will potentially impact the prevention of foodborne illnesses.
For Fenda Darboe, a participant, the importance of the training couldn’t be overemphasised, further encouraging her peers to take the program seriously.
"It is my belief that simply gaining knowledge and not implementing it would be a waste. Let's utilize the information gained during the training and apply it in our communities, especially when it comes to empowering other women." she stated.
Muhammad Jallow, Project Officer at Tumana Agency for Development, expressed satisfaction with the start of the training program. He urged the trainees to approach the project with seriousness and dedication.
Jallow also emphasised the importance of the project's sustainability, highlighting TAD's efforts to equip the beneficiaries with various skills through the training.
"With these skills, TAD hopes to empower them to start their own businesses," he said.
He assured that TAD will closely monitor the beneficiaries to track their progress and see how they are utilising the skills gained from the training.
"This will also help to identify any challenges they may be facing, and TAD will work towards finding solutions for them," he said.
Jallow, who sounded optimistic with the overall project success, also emphasised that he has no doubt that the beneficiaries will succeed and make a positive impact on their lives through the training program.
Meanwhile, the IFLOW Project marks a significant milestone in strengthening community resilience and promoting women's economic empowerment in the Upper River Region.
