Celebrating Mothers: Paulina

Paulina is a mother of four who works closely with other women in the Kpillah community in Ghana's Upper West Region. She is a shea butter producer and member of a local women's processing group that supplies Baraka with traditionally made shea butter.

In this video, Paulina speaks about how the income she earns from shea butter production allows her to provide for her family. Like many mothers in the cooperative, she emphasizes being able to afford nutritious food and healthcare for her children—but most importantly, keeping them in school so they can receive a proper education. Her story reflects the direct connection between her work and her children's futures.

Paulina is one of the women whose work makes Baraka shea butter possible. Baraka sources shea butter directly through the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana's Upper West Region—a cooperative relationship maintained for over 15 years. Every batch is hand-processed using traditional water-based methods with zero chemical extraction, and complete chain-of-custody documentation is available for any order. The women who produce this ingredient receive a fair-trade premium directly, without intermediaries. Learn more about how handmade shea butter is made by women like Paulina.

For parents looking for gentle, natural skincare for their babies, shea butter is commonly used for baby care because it is pure, unrefined, and processed without chemicals. You can also make your own DIY baby balm using traditionally made shea butter from women like Paulina.

Baraka is proud that over 90% of the people working in their Ghana operations are women. Every purchase supports women like Paulina and contributes to measurable impact documented in Baraka's Social and Environmental Impact Report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Paulina and what does she do?

Paulina is a mother of four and a shea butter producer in the Kpillah community of Ghana's Upper West Region. She works with other women in a local processing group that supplies Baraka with traditionally made shea butter. Her work allows her to earn income that supports her family's food, healthcare, and her children's education.

Where does Paulina work and what cooperative is she part of?

Paulina works in the Kpillah community in Ghana's Upper West Region. She is part of the network of women's groups connected to the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre, which has maintained a direct cooperative relationship with Baraka for over 15 years. The women in these groups hand-process shea butter using traditional water-based methods passed down through generations.

What does Paulina say about working with Baraka?

Paulina explains that the income from shea butter production has transformed her ability to care for her family. She can now provide nutritious food and healthcare for her four children. Most importantly to her, she is able to keep all of her children in school so they can receive a proper education—a priority she shares with many mothers in the cooperative.

Is shea butter safe for babies and during pregnancy?

Yes, shea butter is commonly used on baby skin and during pregnancy. Pure, unrefined shea butter like Baraka's contains no synthetic additives or fragrances and is hand-processed without chemicals or solvents. It is traditionally used for moisturising and is gentle enough for sensitive skin. As with any skincare product, patch testing is recommended, and those with high-risk pregnancies should consult a healthcare provider.

Who makes Baraka shea butter?

Baraka shea butter is made by women at the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana's Upper West Region. These women hand-process shea butter using traditional water-based methods that have been passed down through generations. The process uses no chemicals, solvents, or mechanical extraction. Baraka has maintained a direct cooperative relationship with these women for over 15 years, and every producer receives a fair-trade premium paid directly without intermediaries.

About the Author

Wayne Dunn is the founder of Baraka Impact and a former Professor of Practice in Sustainability at McGill University. He holds an M.Sc. in Management from Stanford and has spent over 15 years working directly with the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana's Upper West Region to source traditionally made shea butter and natural oils. He shares DIY skincare recipes and ingredient guides designed to be made at home with real ingredients — and sourced with full transparency about where they come from.