Youth Employment
From shattered dreams to new-found autonomy: the story of Doumbia Mokonigbê
Doumbia Mokonigbê, a young Ivorian girl living in the north of Côte d'Ivoire, has come a long way. Her hopes were dashed by the political crisis in Côte d'Ivoire, but today she has a smile on her face thanks to the ILO, which has helped her to become economically integrated.
30 September 2024
ODIENNE (ILO News) - Doumbia Mokonigbê is a model of resilience. Originally from Odienné in Côte d'Ivoire, her life was turned upside down in 2002 when the country's military-political crisis forced her to abandon her studies, despite her dream of becoming a doctor. Deprived of financial means, Doumbia had to take on a series of odd jobs to survive, leaving her dream of a career behind her.
ProAgro Youth: the turning point in Doumbia Mokonigbê's life
For several years, she struggled to support herself and her family, without ever really finding a stable job. But a turning point came with the International Labour Organization's (ILO) ProAgro Youth project, an IFAD-funded initiative aimed at getting 1,500 young people into work in the agricultural sector. Doumbia is one of 800 young people trained in the town of Odienné under this programme.
Thanks to the ILO, she has undergone rigorous training in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), good working practices, ethics and team spirit. She also learnt specific technical skills such as the art of cashew nut processing. After completing her training, Doumbia joined the Ecocajou factory, where she now works as a supervisor in the ‘correction’ unit. Her job is to look after the factory's hygiene and supervise the other workers, stressing the importance of complying with safety rules and good practice.
"I really enjoy my job, which has made me independent. I earn a good living and I can not only look after my two children, but also support my mother. I was able to finance the eye operation she had to put off for years", Doumbia says with pride.
Thanks to the opportunity offered by the ILO, Doumbia is now financially independent and has new dreams. She plans to restore her father's house, which has fallen into ruin, and to open a charcoal sales depot to help her mother.
From zero, Doumbia Mokonigbê is now her family's hero
Doumbia Mokonigbê's story illustrates the transformative impact of the ILO on the lives of young people in rural Côte d'Ivoire. For Doumbia, regaining autonomy is not just a question of finances, but of dignity and renewal. ‘Without this training, I would never have thought that my life could change so much,’ she concludes.
Doumbia's story is one of rebirth, made possible by the ILO's ProAgro Youth Project, which has given her back the means to dream and build a solid future, making her a pillar and even a ‘hero’ in her family.
Relevant projects
ProAgro YOUTH