Who We Are
Saaba Widows Business Association (SWBA) in Burkina Faso, West Africa gathers widows and their children together for mutual support towards greater healthy interdependence. SWBA works to increase household self-reliance and to eradicate the illegal cultural practice of widow pillaging.
Through micro-finance practices, collective work and education offered by SWBA, the widows move together toward running their own businesses and share in mutual support. SWBA also advocates for the end of the illegal cultural practice of widow pillaging perpetrated by family-in-laws at a time when the community should share in grieving.
Impact
SWBA provides small business training, efficient collective production, mutual support, literacy training and access to urgent food and medical care. These measures enable widows to move from extreme vulnerability to greatly increased security and stability.
SWBA helps widows to become more capable and self-reliant in supporting their families. SWBA also actively advocates against widow and orphan pillaging to prevent others from this preventable fate.
Our Team
Our two communities in West Africa and Canada are separate, but work together towards our common goal.
West Africa
The SWBA community in West Africa is located in Saaba, Burkina Faso and is made up of a president, advisory council and coordinator. These positions are filled by those who have experienced widowhood or have been orphaned themselves.
Canada
With our home base in Edmonton, Alberta, SWBA Canada is made up of a community that has chosen to collaborate and responded to requests for partnering with the local leadership and members of SWBA in Burkina Faso.
Our Partners
SWBA partners with Bridges of Hope, an International Network of Development Agencies that invest into organizations with years of experience to build sustainable, community-owned projects and businesses around the world. They provide experienced oversight and accountability in accordance with their partnership with Government Affairs Canada and Revenue Canada.
Get Involved
Many hands make light work and there is much to be done. SWBA’s available opportunities include research roles, hands-on fundraising activities, discussion groups and giving options.