In April of 2007 I documented the work of Womens Trust, a non profit organization that empowers women by supporting programs that allows women to be entrepreneurs. The primary focus of Womens Trust is the poor and very poor women and girls of Pokuase Ghana. The empowerment of women is accomplished through a microlending program where groups of women initially receive a loan of $55 each for 4 months and the next loan is granted only when each member of the group pays off the first loan. Fifty five dollars actually goes a long way in a village where most women earn only between $1-$2 dollars per day.
During my short stay in Pokuase, at first I did not understand how these very small loans could make any difference. As I met and photographed many of the recipients of these micro loans, I observed a great sense of pride and hopefulness in these women. This psychological empowerment is not to be underestimated as it gives women the strength to improve their lives by moderating the size of their families, and placing a higher value on educating their children.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
The bottom of the economic ladder. Those who have no other work go to the open pit mine outside of town and crack rocks all day long in the hot African sun for $1 per day. ( The crushed rocks are used for building materials).
This woman was incredibly strong. She continually walked up and down the trail of this open pit mine carrying what I estimated to be between 100- 125 pounds of rocks on her head. She was given a loan by Womens Trust so she could hire additional people to work for her and make a profit from her hard work.
Business is even as basic as selling used clothes.
This woman worked incredibly hard- preparing and selling cooked food. She also had 8 children to support and was separated from her husband.
All cooking is done with either wood or charcoal. This woman supports her family by selling cans of charcoal.
Hairdressers are an important part of the local economy.
The biggest baking business in town- she produced 2000 breads or rolls each day.
One of the main business was the baking business- mostly consisting of white bleached flour breads.
Probably the biggest business I photographed in Pokuase- the beer business.
Main flour supplier to many of the village bakers
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