Thierno Barry – founder of YAADU
Our history
The story of YAADU began in 2017 with a donation project for villagers in Guinea: Thierno Barry, founder of YAADU, studied business administration and raised money at his university to support small farmers in his country of origin. He was born in Guinea and moved to Germany with his family at the age of 13.
But Thierno quickly realized that he didn't just want to help selectively with short-term fundraising campaigns. “I want to provide lasting support and create perspectives for the future.” During a visit to his old homeland, he noticed a special grain that his relatives and friends grew in the village's fields: fonio, a type of millet with a texture similar to couscous, one of the oldest grains in the world. The forgotten grain is a pure superfood: it grows in poor and dry soils, is naturally gluten-free, suitable for diabetics, rich in iron and amino acids and very high in fiber.
Sustainable support
This discovery was the cornerstone for the creation of the YAADU brand. “In Dogomet, my village, everything was available to sell the grain, it just needed to be marketed better,” says Thierno. It is particularly important to him that small farmers from his region have the opportunity to sell their own products directly across Guinea's borders. Because the fonio is also completely processed on site. In this way, jobs are generated and a completely new perspective for the future is created - especially for young adolescents and the women of the village.
As demand increased, more farmers from the region were involved, the cultivated areas were increased and a separate economic cycle and extraordinary cooperation emerged in the village. And so Thierno Barry's vision of creating a sustainable, ecologically valuable and social business model with a healthy product that involves the local community throughout the entire process is gradually being fulfilled.
New projects have already been implemented using the money generated and private foundations, for example the “One Bicycle – One Meal” campaign. Students at the school center in Dogomet who live far from school are supported with a bicycle and a meal every day.
Our warehouse in Dortmund
In order to be able to ship products quickly and reliably throughout Europe, we use our warehouse in Dortmund. All products are ready to be shipped to you on the same day.
Contact & Help
If you need help with any questions, concerns or products, we are always there for you!
