Hayfa Khalfaoui is the founder and CEO of Lait Espoir. She is a computer engineer experienced in programming and software development. She followed her passion for agriculture and decided to invest in dairy milk farming and to undergo training in the field until she could become a trainer herself, later creating a cattle milk farm in Jendouba, a region in the northwest of Tunisia. While working with her cows, Hayfa realized the need for technological solutions to facilitate the management of a dairy farm. As an entrepreneur with a dedication to agriculture, she dreams of elevating Tunisian and African agriculture to the next level. 

IVLP Impact Award Project: Women Leaders in Agriculture

By way of the Women Leaders in Agriculture project, Hayfa organized 2 weeks of intensive training for 12 women and 16 of their family members to learn the best beekeeping practices so that they can eventually turn this knowledge into a business. The training included instructions on how to sustainably assemble hives, care for the bees, and collect honey and beeswax. Additionally, Hayfa held a week of leadership workshops for the 12 women to prepare them to successfully manage a beekeeping project, apply for a small business loan, and explore other entrepreneurial endeavors. By the end of the two weeks, all participants created a business plan to map out future financing of their entrepreneurial projects.

"Thank you, you opened my eyes and changed my life." - Project participant

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Hayfa was a participant in the IVLP Project Women and Entrepreneurship II, organized by the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education.

Hayfa's exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award Project: "The IVLP experience gave me the chance to visit and get in touch with networks of women leaders [who are] helping and supporting each other. Especially the UCLA experience inspired me in so many ways to create opportunities for women and help them be leaders."

U.S. Communities Visited

Los Angeles, CA; Denver, CO; Washington, DC; Kansas City, MO; Philadelphia, PA

Country: Tunisia

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