Think Creative Spring 2024

snap shot

West Africa Trade & Investment Hub By Jim Huylebroek, Photographer & Videographer

On my recent trip to Côte d’Ivoire, I found myself amidst the rustling of lush trees, following Ouattara Natogoma as she determinedly collected shea kernels with the hope of carving a path toward a brighter future. Ouattara sells her harvest to Eric N’Guetta, who created a profitable enterprise that uplifts the lives of rural residents. Eric established a shea butter production facility, buying raw shea kernels from villagers and turning them into high-quality shea butter in demand in global markets. By purchasing Ouattara’s product and investing in local processing facilities, Eric effectively upended

the traditional value chain. Through sustainable practices and fair-trade principles, he ensures that the benefits of his enterprise reach those at the grassroots level, providing employment opportunities and fostering economic empowerment. Eric’s social enterprise is supported by the USAID West Africa Trade & Investment Hub, catalyzing economic growth in 16 countries across the region—with a particular focus on women and youth. This collaboration between entrepreneurship and the will to succeed could catapult this region towards more prosperity and increased security. (See Eric’s story on page 24.) n

Ouattara at work gathering almonds in Djelebelé, Côte d’Ivoire.

In this Issue

READ II Fostering Healing 14 p.

07 Dispatches

Updates from around our world

08 // Collaboration for Change: Save Ukraine 09 // • West Africa Trade & Investment Hub Stats • Al Rashad’s Success in Syria • Field Notes

10 // LRI Youth Case Study Results 11 // New Creative Programming 12 // In Focus: Sembrando Esperanza Activity 14 Cover Package

LRI Youth Case Study

New Creative Programming 11 p.

10 p.

Resuming Learning, Fostering Healing: A refocus on schooling helps children heal after conflict trauma

ON THE COVER: Students in Ethiopia are back in class post-conflict under the READ II Education Recovery Activity. Photo by Jim Huylebroek for Creative Associates International.

Photos by Jim Huylebroek (Snap Shot, Ethiopia); Erick Gibson (LRI); iStock: hadynyah (Vietnam)

4 | Think Creative | Spring 2024