Yennenga Restaurant

Toftaholm Herrgård has been supporting a project since 2017, a restaurant school, in an area where young people see very limited opportunities for personal development and employment. It started as a pilot project in Nakamtenga, a small village in one of the world's poorest countries, Burkina Faso. In the village, the public sector is minimal, but creativity is abundant, the will is strong, and ideas are flourishing. The goal is to lay the foundation for entrepreneurship and ideas centered around food.

In Sweden, we are fortunate to have a number of highly successful entrepreneurs in the field of food and restaurants, focusing on organic and locally sourced produce. We aim to leverage this model in this pilot project. For societal development and effective poverty alleviation, we are convinced of the importance of significant investments in vocational education.

The youth in Nakamtenga and its surroundings have a keen interest in receiving education and finding employment that can provide income. Due to economic reasons, they have not had the opportunity for higher education. Most have not even been able to complete their primary education. There are also no vocational schools within reasonable distance. For several years, the youth have been discussing and planning potential opportunities that could lead to sustainable livelihoods. The consensus on the need for education is unanimous, and the culinary school has been instrumental in addressing that need.

The collaboration and support have, to date, contributed to a culinary education and a small kitchen with adjoining small terraces, known as "paillotes," along one of the busiest N3 highways. The plans for the small restaurant are more extensive, and the support, as well as our collaboration, continues.

If you would like to learn more about the project, you can do so on Yennenga Progress.