Build Workshop for Physically Disabled Burkinabes

Committee meetings

• Members of TN’s leadership team have been pulling together to look for suitable plots of land across different areas of Ouagadougou.

• Meetings have been held to update members on recent activities. This includes TN’s cereal selling initiative, introduced in partnership with UK charity LAFI Burkina, (Lasting Action for Inclusion) earlier this year.

Networking

• TN’s leadership organised a meeting with the Director of the Promotion and the protection of Disabled people. He advised TN to consult the city's new mayors (who will soon be in place) about the purchase of a plot of land.  
• He also advised Tigoung Nonma to select its preferred zones before going to talk to a mayor. A mayor may be able to offer Tigoung Nonma a subsidy because of its status.

Advertising and Market research

• TN produced and distributed an offer of its services and placed it in several services to gain custom.

• The coordinator met with the Director of Inclusive Education, and other members within the structure, which often carries out training. This was to find new business for the catering service. The director promised to contact them if there was any need for catering.

• TN have started designing and making a sign, advertising the sale of cereal.

Sales

Art and Craft products

• Sales at TN are very low due to the lack of tourists and other international clients.

• TN received two large orders from Handicap Solidaire Suisse of around one million CFA.
  

• £342 worth of TN Art and Craft products were sold at the recent UK based fundraiser, organised by ex-team leader at the co-operative, Alice. We are trying to sell the remaining products we have in the UK. We are currently looking for new markets and cheap and effective solutions for import.

Cereal sale

• TN have set-up a new income generating initiative through the sale of cereal and other products. This includes: millet, soya, bissap (hibiscus flower drink) tamarind fruit and maize/corn. This was done in partnership with UK based charity LAFI BURKINA.

The catering service and equipment hire

• Over the past 2-3 months, TN has received 3 orders for the catering service and 4 for the rental of tables, chairs and its two marquees.

SIAO 2016 (Salon International de l’Artisanat de Ouagadougou)

In 2014, TN paid for a stall at the exhibition however the event was cancelled because of the Ebola outbreak.

On the 23rd May TN participated in a meeting organised by the director of SIAO. All of those who had paid for their place at the 2014 exhibition were told that they would be able to participate this year and as such should prepare for the event which will take place from the 28th October - 6th November 2016.

TN is informing all of its members so that they can prepare to make innovative products which they will be able to sell at SIAO 2016.

Impacts:

The craft sales and catering service orders have meant that we have been able to pay the artisans concerned, 20% of profits going back into the cooperative.

Other sales made through the raffle, tickets and drinks at the recent UK based fundraiser have been put directly onto the GlobalGiving platform which will contribute to the purchase of land.

TN has already paid its participation costs to SIAO meaning it won’t have to pay to participate this year.

Difficulties:

Certain members haven’t had any orders.

TN doesn’t have the means to support its members to produce innovative products in quantity.

The co-ordinator and the secretary only receive a negligible monthly income.

Handicap Solidaire Suisse is no longer paying for the rental of the current office space as this was meant to only be for the period of one year.

In general sales are low.

Conclusion

Currently, income is low when compared with the charges TN must cover.

• Flyer for fundraiser (PDF)