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. As an entrepreneur dedicated to agriculture, she dreams of elevating Tunisian and African agriculture to the next level. 

IVLP Impact Award Project: Women Leaders in Agriculture

Two weeks of intensive training was provided for 12 women and 16 of their family members on the best beekeeping practices to enable them to eventually start a small business. The training included instructions on how to sustainably assemble hives, care for the bees, and collect honey and beeswax. The project also included 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.

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

IVLP Exchange Experience

Hayfa participated in the IVLP Project Women and Entrepreneurship II, organized by the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education, in partnership with World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, Global Ties KC, International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles, and WorldDenver.

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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