Extend women's houses into lifelong digital sisterhood networks
Historically vital women's houses in Burkina Faso have lost effectiveness and are now failing in their core mission of feminine emancipation, requiring full restructuring.
SistaLink creates a mobile-first alumni and peer support network that keeps women connected to their original women's house long after graduation. Centers use the platform to gather ongoing feedback to continuously restructure programs while graduates access mentorship, micro-business circles, and mutual support. This transforms one-time training centers into lifelong emancipation ecosystems.
Women and girls in Burkina Faso (especially rural and low-income) relying on state-run empowerment centers, plus Ministry officials responsible for gender and family programs
Hybrid smartphone + USSD experience ensuring even women with basic phones remain part of the sisterhood, with strong privacy controls appropriate for conservative contexts.
empowering
Private, opt-in directory of graduates with skills and location
Simple algorithm connecting current participants with alumni mentors
Themed support and business circles moderated by center staff
Structured feedback from alumni that informs center program restructuring
Local job, training and microfinance opportunities posted by centers
Core features accessible via *# codes for feature phone users
Moderated feed of graduate achievements to inspire members
Digital version of traditional tontines
Physical and virtual events hosted by different centers
| Column | Type | Nullable |
|---|---|---|
| id | uuid | No |
| name | text | No |
| location | text | No |
| admin_id | uuid | No |
| created_at | timestamp | No |
Relationships:
| Column | Type | Nullable |
|---|---|---|
| id | uuid | No |
| user_id | uuid | No |
| house_id | uuid | No |
| graduation_year | int | Yes |
| skills | text | Yes |
| privacy_level | text | No |
Relationships:
| Column | Type | Nullable |
|---|---|---|
| id | uuid | No |
| house_id | uuid | No |
| topic | text | No |
| moderator_id | uuid | No |
| is_active | bool | No |
Relationships:
| Column | Type | Nullable |
|---|---|---|
| id | uuid | No |
| sista_id | uuid | No |
| house_id | uuid | No |
| content | text | No |
| category | text | No |
| created_at | timestamp | No |
Relationships:
/api/matchesGenerate mentor-mentee matches
/api/circles/joinAdd user to support circle
/api/feedback/aggregateGet anonymized alumni insights for center restructuring
/api/ussdHandle incoming USSD sessions
No center analytics
One house
None
| Month | Users | Conversion | MRR | ARR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | 65 | 18% | $327 | $3,924 |
| Month 6 | 420 | 22% | $2,587 | $31,044 |
The platform that keeps Burkina's women connected, supported, and growing — while feeding real insights back to centers for continuous restructuring.
1. Approach three progressive women's houses that already have active WhatsApp groups and offer free House tier for 6 months to build their digital alumni network. 2. Recruit initial graduates through center directors who maintain contact lists. 3. Create viral coefficient by giving centers public recognition (featured success stories) when they reach 50 active alumni on the platform.
Ubiquitous and familiar
No structure, no analytics for centers, privacy and moderation issues
Purposeful structure, center analytics, USSD inclusion and proper moderation
Sophisticated alumni features
Built for universities in wealthy countries, far too expensive and complex
Designed for low-resource environments and gender-sensitive contexts
Strong network effects: the more women and centers participate, the more valuable the mentorship and opportunity board becomes. Data moat from unique long-term emancipation journey information.
Rapid growth of mobile money (Orange Money, Moov) in Burkina Faso makes digital sisterhood economically viable exactly when traditional women's houses are losing relevance.
Cultural resistance to women using social platforms
Strong privacy controls, optional anonymity, and center-based moderation
USSD integration complexity
Partner with Africa's Talking from day one and start with core SMS flows
Difficulty keeping alumni engaged long-term
Focus on tangible economic value (opportunities, micro-savings, contracts)
Success: Clear demand for ongoing connection and willingness of centers to use feedback
Success: 30% of graduates become active within 30 days
Success: Reach 12 active houses and 400 monthly active sisters
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