Our Focus Areas
Craftsmanship
We are grounded in the tradition of vocational education and have been operating an apprenticeship program in carpentry, metalwork, cottage-industry crafts, mechanical engineering, and water management since 2003. Our group has expertise in textiles, woodwork, metalcraft, and water systems. |
Agriculture
Aywa abuts more than 10 acres of farmland where we test pumps, water storage, and irrigation systems as well as cultivation and agri-processing technologies. We work with women’s co-ops to identify and implement technology and programs that add value, supplement income, conduct agricultural research and identify commercialization opportunities. |
Upcycling
Aywa is located near Dakar’s landfill where more than a thousand people collect, sort, repurpose and sell recycled products. We are working with industrial designers to develop furniture and other functional products, and are integrating composting and water treatment into our upcycling program. |
Transportation
In 2008, Aywa was awarded a World Bank Development Marketplace grant to establish a small engine program and implement equipment for aquatic transportation. We have a suite of outboard motors that can be attached to wooden pirogue boats and are in the process of developing a larger, ocean-going vessel. |