Women’s Leather Craft Shop

Burkina Faso Humanist Women Group

Location: Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Members

Zuri Bilal – Female – 34 years – Coordinator - Phone: +226 70 41 82 11

Amina Sissoko – Female – 29 years - Phone: +226 70 58 14 26

Samira Traore – Female – 32 years - Phone: +226 65 73 91 44

Nadia Ouedraogo – Female – 27 years - Phone: +226 72 64 35 98

Laila Sawadogo – Female – 36 years - Phone: +226 75 81 66 20

Yasmina Kone – Female – 24 years - Phone: +226 60 44 93 71

Farida Diallo – Female – 41 years - Phone: +226 74 56 29 63

Safiya Abdullahi – Female – 30 years - Phone: +226 76 14 82 55

Khadija Bello – Female – 28 years - Phone: +226 73 60 94 11

Mariam Suleiman – Female – 35 years - Phone: +226 71 83 47 29

Zainab Idris – Female – 26 years - Phone: +226 65 42 18 73

Rahma Aliyu – Female – 39 years - Phone: +226 78 51 30 62

Hafsa Usman – Female – 23 years - Phone: +226 70 66 97 44

Nura Lawal – Female – 33 years - Phone: +226 72 90 15 38

What does humanism mean to you?

My name is Zuri Bilal, and I coordinate the Burkina Faso Humanist Women Collective. For us, humanism means valuing human life, dignity, and freedom of thought above religious dogma or tradition. As women who no longer follow Islam, we understand the importance of independent thinking, compassion, and solidarity. Humanism teaches us that morality comes from empathy, reason, and our shared humanity, not from fear of divine punishment or hope for heavenly reward.

Living openly as non-religious women in a very religious society can be difficult. Many people assume that leaving religion means abandoning morality or culture. We reject this idea. Our values are based on honesty, mutual respect, education, and helping others live better lives. Humanism encourages us to take responsibility for improving our community through practical action, cooperation, and ethical living.

For us, humanism also means empowerment, especially for women. Many women in our society are economically dependent and socially restricted by religious expectations. Through humanist principles, we support critical thinking, equality, and self-reliance. By building sustainable livelihood projects, we show that women who think freely can also contribute positively to society and help create a more just and compassionate future.

Project Description

The Burkina Faso Humanist Women Collective is seeking help to fund a  project that will use $300 to establish a small leather craft production shop where members will produce leather handbags, purses, and other leather accessories. Burkina Faso has a strong tradition of leather craftsmanship, and locally produced leather goods are popular in local markets and with visitors. This project will allow the women to take advantage of that demand while building an independent and sustainable source of income. The project will provide the basic materials and simple tools needed to begin producing handmade leather items such as handbags, purses, wallets, belts, and small accessories. Members of the collective already have basic sewing and craft skills, and they will work together to learn leather cutting, stitching, finishing, and product design.

The shop will operate as a cooperative workspace where each member contributes labor while sharing the profits from sales. The leather craft shop will serve not only as an income-generating activity but also as a safe and supportive environment for women who identify with humanist values in a religious society. By working together, members will build practical skills, strengthen solidarity, and gain financial independence. The products will be sold in local markets, small shops, and through community contacts. In terms of sustainability, the project requires only modest start-up costs. Once production begins, income from the sale of leather goods will be reinvested into purchasing additional materials and expanding the product range. Over time, the shop will grow into a reliable source of income that supports the collective’s humanist educational and community outreach activities.

Budget

Purchase of leather sheets and raw leather materials – $95

Example supplier: https://www.alibaba.com/showroom/leather-sheets.html

Hand tools (leather cutting knives, punches, stitching tools) – $65

Example supplier: https://www.amazon.com/leather-working-tools/s

Strong nylon thread, needles, rivets, buckles, and accessories – $40

Example supplier: https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-leather-craft-hardware.html

Basic sewing machine for leather finishing – $70

Example supplier: https://www.alibaba.com/showroom/leather-sewing-machine.html

Wooden work table and workspace setup materials – $30

Total: $300

Expected Income from Project, with Timeline

The project is expected to be fully set up within 3–4 weeks after receiving the funds. This period will allow the group to purchase materials, set up the workspace, and begin producing leather items. Once production begins, the collective expects to sell leather bags, purses, and accessories in local markets. Based on conservative local market estimates, the group expects to generate approximately $100–$120 per month, resulting in $1000–$1200 annually in revenue. Part of the income will be reinvested into purchasing additional leather and supplies, while the remaining portion will support the members and the collective’s humanist activities.

Benefits to your Community

• Provides women with practical vocational skills in leather craftsmanship.

• Creates a small but sustainable source of income for women in the community.

• Encourages cooperation, solidarity, and empowerment among humanist women.

• Supports local craftsmanship and small-scale entrepreneurship.

• Demonstrates that women can achieve independence and contribute positively to society.