Support Aissata's Small Dream Business Venture

In the heart of West Africa (Republic of Guinea Conakry), a resilient single mother & widow stands as a beacon of hope for her two daughters and their community. Despite facing numerous challenges, including financial hardships and societal pressures, she dreams of establishing a clothing shop to provide for her family and empower others. With determination and courage, she embarks on a journey to turn her vision into reality.

At the current exchange rate, $1.00 can provide a decent meal for one person. The power of a single dollar is magnified and capable of catalyzing substantial change. Enter Aissata, seeking to fashion exquisite garments from the vibrant Bazins fabric of Mali. Armed with $174.37, she secures her gateway to creativity—a sewing machine. With a mere $8, she orchestrates a grand feast, uniting her loved ones in joyous celebration.

"When my husband [Lamine] died, I suffered a lot with my children, Mariame and Aicha, housing and food problems. I was a servant in a gentleman's house for five years, doing housework to support my daughters. But, in the end, I was discouraged because I wasn't paid well, so I left there.

“After there, I started selling rice at the crossroads with my daughters. In that, too, everyday I was sick because of fires in the kitchen, so I stopped that too.

“After that, I saw a friend who felt sorry for me. She decided to give me some Bazins to sell. Then, from the profits, I would pay him the share we agreed upon.

“I want a store to stock and sell Bazins, shoes, clothes (dresses, pants, shirts), bags, skin oils, and perfumes.” Aissata

For gathering inventory, Aissata and Aicha will go to Senegal for shoes, fabrics, bags, locks, and then to Mali to buy bazins to put them in her shop [Senegal and Mali are neighboring countries of Guinea].

“My mother can't wait to start her business which has been her biggest dream, and we [Mariame and Aicha] are ready to accompany and support her so that her business operates successfully." Aicha

Aicha, now 24, says, "I want to be a great and fighting and courageous woman, have money to build a school, a health clinic, and build a house for my mother who has suffered a lot since my father's death. I want her to be the happiest woman."

Aicha is presently working as an assistant teacher to help support the family. There is no public education in Guinea, West Africa. "I have lots of dreams to achieve for myself, my mother and for the community, " says Aicha, committed to supporting her mother in making her dream business a reality.

Driven by her unwavering love for her daughters and the desire to create a better future, Aissata reaches out to her global community for support. As donations pour in and the momentum builds, the single mother's dream begins to take shape. With each contribution, she moves one step closer to opening the doors of her clothing shop and transforming her life. Together, we prove that with perseverance and generosity, anything is possible.

"During my month-long stay in Conakry, Guinea, studying African Dance, I met Lamine, Aissata's husband, who was volunteering at the dance camp. His unexpected death in the first week led me to attend his funeral, where I first met Aissata and her two young daughters. This marked the beginning of a sixteen-year connection between my husband and me, and Aissata and her daughters, as we supported them in raising the girls." Helen Wildman Meehan