Herbs, Hope, and Healing:

Andean Women Reclaim Their Power

In the Chari community of Peru, Quechua women are reclaiming their ancestral knowledge of Andean medicine while boosting their income through community tourism. They are using native plants to create medicinal ointments, syrups, and soaps.

Cuso International is collaborating with women to build their skills in product development, sanitation, and marketing; supporting their leadership in preserving knowledge and expanding economic opportunities. “We want to use plants to cure ourselves, our families, and for tourists,” said participant Eustaquia Quispe Pucho.

Their products, sold at local and Cusco markets, are made with environmentally friendly materials, helping preserve the environment and protect their traditions.

Through this initiative, women are not just strengthening their incomes. They are reviving and safeguarding their cultural heritage.

From Struggle to Success:

Hafsa’s Empowering Journey

Growing up in Mtwara, Tanzania, Hafsa Hussein Mwalimu was told a woman’s place was in the home, silent, dependent, and unseen. But Hafsa had a question no one seemed to want to answer: Why not more?

“We weren’t encouraged to earn income or start businesses,” she says. “Most of us had no chance to break free from those expectations.”

Hafsa wanted more. She wanted independence and a way to provide for her family. But wanting more and accessing it are two very different things. 

Until 2017, when she joined the Tanzania Local Economic Development (TLED), a transformative program funded by Cuso International, and her path changed. Through training, mentorship, and access to resources, Hafsa found not just skills, but a sense of purpose.

Today, she runs a thriving business. Her annual income has grown from 2 million Tsh to 15 million Tsh, allowing her to support her children and parents. She also employs 13 people, mostly women. Her success isn’t just personal; it’s profoundly communal.

“I want to empower women, especially those who have been overlooked,” she says. “When women are empowered, the entire nation thrives.”

To supporters, she says: "Maybe your help seemed small, but to us, it changed everything. We are forever grateful."

Hafsa’s story is a powerful reminder: when women are given a chance, they don’t just succeed. They uplift entire communities.