Fatoumata, or “Fatou” as her friends and family call her, is a mother of 5 from Thiabédji, a remote village near Bandafassi in Kédougou, Senegal.

Having lost her mother at a young age and raised by her father, Fatoumata had to leave school when she was 10 to support her family. Soon after she enrolled in a literacy training programme, and only 2 years later became a Pulaar language teacher, a position she enjoyed for 8 years.

Dynamic and engaged, she has dedicated her time to enabling the creation a health clinic, secondary school and the employment of a full-time midwife in her community. This persuaded the village’s 7 women’s groups to entrust her with the Presidency of the village’s group network.

But Fatou didn’t stop there: over the years she has also been raising public awareness of the importance of vaccinations for children’s health. She has poken out for the interests of women, especially in terms of education for girls and women.

Determined to serve her community the best she can, Fatoumata is now embarking on a new mission to provide access to lighting to her area and increase sustainable development within her region.

Through the sale of solar lighting products, she will not only increase her income but also make available cleaner and cost-effective alternatives to candles and kerosene.