Interruption by the COVID pandemic caused this project, “Financial Empowerment of Rural Women,” to result as sister projects in two different regions of Madagascar. The goals of this project included training women in the cluster on the production of quality oils; building business skills; generating income producing activities; building communication skills, teamwork and team spirit; and promoting awareness of hygiene and sanitation standards.

1. The first project, “Cluster Essential Oil Women of the South East,” took place in July 2019 in Ambila, Manakara in the Vatovavy Fitovinany region. The training activities were centered on the production, sale and export of essential oils from pepper, cloves and cinnamon, etc. The project helped the rural women in the South East Region of Madagascar to produce better quality oils and to earn more income from increased sales of their products.
2. The second part of this project began in August 2021 in Fiadanana, located in the north-eastern part of Matsiatra Ambony region, on the production and distillation of quality Geranium Rosat essential oils. The training focused on technical skills for production of quality oils, managerial skills, decision-making and team-building in addition to those listed above. The post training results were good; upon conclusion of the program the participants requested further training on the production and use of biomass as a form of energy for their future production of oils.