raised for COVID-19 appeal. Give Today
close
Active COVID-19 cases in Burkina Faso have been declining since mid-September. However, the country is facing a devastating humanitarian crisis. Escalating instability and violence have led to the internal displacement of over 1 million people—at least half of whom are children in need of education assistance. Many are without clean water, food, shelter or medical care. The United Nations warned in November that Burkina Faso could fall into famine within three to six months. As the situation continues to develop, women and children are especially vulnerable to exploitation, violence and malnutrition.
READ MOREkeyboard_arrow_down READ LESSkeyboard_arrow_up
Thank you for praying for children and families in Burkina Faso who have been impacted by COVID-19—and the local staff and churches who continue to serve them in difficult circumstances.
Say hello to baby Grace from Burkina Faso! Born in the middle of a lockdown, this cutie’s delivery story is quite the tale! With a national curfew from 7pm to 5am in place, there was a big chance that Grace’s mum, Celine, would not be able to get to a hospital to deliver her baby. Read more open_in_new
The situation
Nationwide the impact has been extensive, with 13 regions and over 71,000 people affected.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 39 Number of Compassion assisted children affected:1513
New information
Sadly, one Compassion assisted child passed away and several were seriously injured. Over 1300 homes were destroyed, over 700 families lost their crops, over 300 families lost livestock, almost 900 families lost their food stocks, and over 100 families lost their toilets. These impacts, in addition to the loss of household items, clothes, etc. has created a huge funding need. Local church partners utilised Disaster Relief funds for emergency kits and food. Disaster Relief project proposals for livelihood recovery are being created to meet the extensive needs for home and local church rebuilding, repairs, and continued relief efforts.
Prayer
Please pray for the family grieving the loss of their child, as well as all affected children, families, and church partners as they recover from damages and losses. Also, please pray for the national staff supporting the relief efforts.
Please note: Due to the current pandemic, most child development centres in Burkina Faso are temporarily closed. Our local church partners continue to meet the urgent needs of the children through home-based care.
Compassion’s program is contextualised across countries and communities, as well as age groups.
Compassion assisted children in Burkina Faso typically attend program activities at their local child development centre on Thursdays and Saturdays. Here is an example of what a typical program day looks like for children in Burkina Faso.
9:00am - A time of prayer, devotion and breakfast. Breakfast usually consists of milk, bread and porridge.
9:30am - Spiritual lessons where children sing songs and learn Bible stories.
10:30am - Break time where children can play in a safe environment and develop friendships.
11:00am - Social-emotional lessons from conflict resolution to developing healthy self-esteem and a godly character. Children who often come from challenging home environments are taught social and personal skills.
12:00pm - Lunch and social time. Children are usually provided lunch which consists of rice, beans, sagabo (a local food made using millet or corn flour) and spaghetti. Additional nutritional support such as rice, maize and oil is provided for families in extreme need, such as those affected by HIV.
1:00pm - Health lessons where children are taught practical health and hygiene tips. Example topics include how to prevent malaria and HIV transmission.
2:00pm - Letter writing and career planning. Older children work with local staff to identify their strengths and interests, and set goals for their future.
In addition to Compassion’s curriculum, from the age of 12, students receive vocational training in areas like mechanics, hairdressing, sewing, soap making, gardening and animal breeding. Parents are offered income generation activities and training on topics such as hygiene, malaria prevention, reproductive health and nutrition.
of people live below the poverty line
of people lack access to improved sanitation
mothers die from pregnancy related causes per 100,000 births
As millions of Burkinabes struggle to meet their daily needs, the ever-present threats of food and water scarcity across the Sahel region make life more tenuous.
Poor health is a significant barrier to Burkina Faso’s development. Approximately 27 per cent of children in the country suffer from moderate or severe growth stunting caused by chronic malnutrition during early childhood. The country currently holds the highest infant mortality rate of all of countries in which Compassion works, with approximately 53 infants dying for every 1000 born.
The overwhelming majority of people make their living from subsistence agriculture, which is vulnerable to drought, floods, and in recent times, locust plagues. Burkina Faso has a very young population: 46 per cent is under 14 and two-thirds younger than 30 years old. Many young people are frustrated by the lack of opportunity for education and reliable work. Almost one-third of primary school-aged students aren’t enrolled; instead, they often work the land in an attempt to boost their family’s income.
READ MOREkeyboard_arrow_down READ LESSkeyboard_arrow_up
From remote, isolated tribal communities to bustling cities and crowded slums, 10 children in our Child Sponsorship Program share their treasured possessions. These are their beautiful, surprising and funny answers... Read more
The COVID-19 pandemic will have a major impact on those living in poverty, likely for years to come. Learn how... Read more
It’s one of those human experiences that words cannot describe: meeting someone you’ve loved after years of ongoing friendship. We hope these precious captured moments of Compassion supporters meeting their sponsored children brings you joy, and an insight into these meaningful moments. Warning: tissues may be required! .. Read more