​From maths to cashew processing: Melanie's inspiring story of change

When asked how she went from being a part-time maths teacher to managing a whole processing unit at Fludor, one of Africa's largest cashew processing plants, Mélanie replies with a broad smile and says "the transition was not difficult; I used to manage school kids and now I do the same with women".
Wife and mother of two, Mélanie has been working at Fludor for three years now. She was one of the first three employees of the unit she now manages. Thanks to what she earns at Fludor, Melanie can contribute to the expenses of her family, provide for herself and also help some of her brothers and sisters. When she was a math teacher, her life was very uncertain, she would never know how long her contract was running for and she wouldn’t be paid during school holidays.
Today, she works in a really professional and fair environment. As Section Supervisor, Melanie is responsible for nearly 200 women who, like her, have a regular income. On paydays, right outside the factory, women from the neighboring town set up a big market for Fludor’s employees: “Women, especially, stock up for the whole month and they are very happy they can afford all sorts of products, not just basic food items”, says Melanie.
Melanie believes that cashews, above all, have a great social function: they create new jobs and allow young people and women to have a regular salary. 

Watch Melanie's inspiring video interview!