​Talenza is partnering with The Hunger Project Australia to bring you a series of stories of leadership and resilience from people living in rural and remote villages across Africa, India and Bangladesh.



The Hunger Project knows the power of people in ending hunger. They see those living in hunger as the solution to ending hunger, not the problem. Investing in people and communities to lift themselves out of hunger sounds like a bold and ambitious idea but The Hunger Project is always up for the challenge! ​

Their strategies, activated at a grassroots level, seek to build people’s capacities, leadership and confidence. They train women and men living in rural and remote areas, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to improve their lives. This approach is known as community-led development.

What is Community-Led Development?

Community-led development prioritises the wellbeing and vision of the people living in a community, putting local voices in the lead, building on strengths and driving sustainable, systemic change from the bottom up.

This approach drives empowerment and leadership on an individual and collective level. Local leaders become the spark plugs for action. To empower people to take more substantial action, The Hunger Project provides skills training in literacy, numeracy and nutrition. Success builds on success.

Grassroots Activism in Action ​

Kossegui Ganigi from the Sonon-Guinagourou village in Benin is one example of the power of investing in people to bring about change. She is a grassroots activist who partnered with The Hunger Project to bring about lasting change in her community. She has two daughters of her own and is taking care of her sister’s baby. When Kossegui’s sister tragically died in childbirth, she was inspired to enact her vision of allowing all women to give birth safely in a medical clinic. “I am convinced that my dream is possible if the women of my village get involved together. But nobody wants to believe me. They think it’s a strange dream,” Kossegui said.

​The Hunger Project partnered with Kossegui and gave her the confidence and leadership skills she needed to help empower more women to give birth safely. For a year, Kossegui woke up at the crack of dawn each morning and went door-knocking around her village, speaking to her neighbours about the importance of women giving birth in a safe, hygienic clinic. Today, more than 99% of births in Sonon-Guinagourou are attended by a healthcare professional. Kossegui is leading this long-lasting, sustainable change on a local level.

People Power

​Actions like that of Kossegui have a greater impact than simple handouts. The Hunger Project knows that people like Kossegui have a vision, and investing in that vision can bring an end to some of the biggest challenges of our time. If you’re interested in finding out more about the importance of investing in people to bring about change, visit The Hunger Project Australia’s website or even make an impact by investing in people today.