Monthly Topic August: The Cashew Nut Part 3

I am 38 years old and have two children. I started at gebana Afrique in quality control and packing the mangoes, that was in 2008.

I had actually completed two years of university and then worked in computer science and communications. When I lost my job, I thought I would rather work as a laborer in mango production than be unemployed. Because I had some education, I was able to switch to cashew production after its development and take part in the course of the ‚African Cashew Initiative‘, a project by various development organizations. There I learned everything about the cashew nut, from the plant through processing to sales.

I am currently attending an evening and weekend part-time course in Ressources humaines. I am interested in how I can lead staff better. How can I motivate the workers? Motivation is important for work, perhaps the most important thing of all. That is why I have already introduced a Boite dide9es where the workers can anonymously submit suggestions for improvement and problems.

I like my work at gebana. What I don’t like is getting involved in things that have nothing to do with production. That’s a bit of our culture here: we get involved in everything (laughs). My goals? At work I would like to have more skills and responsibility, for example in projects that concern the whole company. Maybe I’ll take a project management course later, that could help me.

My goal regarding education is to eventually have a Master II (degree after five years of university, ed. note). For my family I wish that we can build our own house where my husband and I can live when we are retired.