Associação Comunitária dos Moradores de MANDASSAIA II

Mulheres Rurais Atuando no Desenvolvimento Sustentável e Geração de Trabalho e Renda

Center for income generation for rural women

The community of Mandassaia, with only 78 households and 180 inhabitants, only has a market and a bar in the center of town, and there are few opportunities for work in the area. The region suffers from long drought spells that cause inhabitants to migrate to nearby cities in search of a better life. The Association was founded in 1997 to propose alternative solutions for the sustainable development of the community.

The Association will acquire new equipment and build a headquarters for women who produce sweets, cakes and cookies, so that they can become more productive, generating opportunities for women, and offering incentives for youth to remain in the community.

With support from BrazilFoundation the organization plans to:

• Increase household income and productivity by marketing products in neighboring communities;
• Extend the production model to include more families;
• Facilitate the creation of associations;
• Encourage local entrepreneurship and associations;
• Value the work of local women and youth.

“We are only representatives. We are a bridge linking the community to the public policies to which they are entitled. That is not a privilege, but a right.” – Tainá de Lima Matos, project