BUILDING A MORE JUST AND RESILIENT SOCIETY.

The Saare Tabitha supports women who extract essential oils in Tokombéré through technical, economic, and social assistance, fostering their empowerment and the valorization of local resources.

1 – Promoting local knowledge: The Saare Tabitha serving the women of Tokombéré

In the Far North region of Cameroon, the village of Tokombéré is the setting of an inspiring initiative led by a group of women engaged in the artisanal extraction of essential oils from local plants. This ancestral know-how, long marginalized, is now being recognized and promoted thanks to the support of Saare Tabitha, a social development center based in Maroua.

2 – Structuring technical and organizational support

Saare Tabitha, an institution of the Union of Baptist Churches of Cameroon, has set up a capacity-building program for these women. It includes:

• Guidance on production and marketing techniques;

• Improved methods for conserving and storing products;

• Organizing women into cooperatives to facilitate resource pooling and access to markets.

This support enables women to produce higher-quality essential oils that meet both local and international standards.

3 – A process of economic empowerment

Thanks to the support of Saare Tabitha, the women of Tokombéré have gained access to assistance, developed marketing channels, and taken part in regional fairs. The income generated from the sale of essential oils helps improve living conditions for families, support children’s education, and strengthen the role of women within the community.

4 – An integrated approach: spirituality, ecology, and solidarity

L’accompagnement du Saare Tabitha ne se limite pas à l’aspect économique. Il intègre également:

– Des temps de formation spirituelle et de développement personnel ;

– Une sensibilisation à la gestion durable des ressources naturelles ;

– La promotion de la solidarité féminine et du leadership communautaire.

Cette approche holistique permet aux femmes de Tokombéré de devenir actrices du changement, tout en préservant leur environnement et leur culture.

Dans l’accompagnement des femmes extractrices d’huiles essentielles de Tokombéré, le Saare Tabitha démontre comment la foi, la tradition et l’innovation peuvent converger pour bâtir une société plus juste et résiliente.

René TESWE (Saare Tabitha Maroua)