On the way to school

Burkina Faso Village Project

The country of Burkina Faso ranks among one of the lowest countries in the world in the Human Development Index. Nonetheless, it has the advantage of a stable political system. Paradoxically, the lack of oil and primary resources has had the advantage of making it an extremely peaceful country, free from disadvantageous foreign exploitative interests and political conflicts that often stem from wealth in primary resources in developing countries. BURKINA MAP
The Nibagdo territory has been identified as one of the neediest regions of Burkina Faso. The Pistorio Foundation has decided to side with CIAI, Centro Italiano Aiuto all’Infanzia, to launch its village project in Burkina Faso. CIAI, based in Italy, has over 30 years experience working to protect children’s rights worldwide and has been present in Burkina Faso since 1995, where it has built schools, preschools, primary health care centers, wells, training centers for nurses, and has supported the education of over 765 children.

We have decided to sponsor the education of 100 children of Nibagdo. These children have begun attending school in September 2006.School Recognizing the need to increase school capacity in order to accommodate the new children to the school, the Pistorio Foundation has funded the construction of two extra classrooms. In addition it has improved the school by building external bathrooms, an outdoor kitchen for preparing meals for students and an external hall for village Council meetings. kitchen

The teachers are provided by the government. The schools follow the French system. Although the native language of the children is the Muré dialect, in school they must learn a new language, French, which is not spoken at home. This is a big challenge and the rate of success in primary school is low as a consequence. The Foundation plans to implement strategies to improve children’s rate of success in school.
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At school, sponsored children receive one meal per day and drinkable water. They are given school uniforms, shoes, books, notebooks, and backpacks. They receive medical check-ups during the year and instruction in sanitation as well as soap and mosquito nets. Each child obtains legal registration and birth certificate.

The school of Nibagdo receives a small medical kit and teachers are trained on basic disinfection and medication of bruises and cuts. The children in school receive micronutrients, iron and vitamins, anti-parasitic and worms medication, as well as water containers, glasses, and mugs. Parents of these children receive literacy classes.

The Pistorio Foundation is planning to improve the school infrastructure, enforce the level of education, improve the rate of enrollment and rate of success of the primary schools of another 6 neighboring villages, each about 4 km away from one another, in the Nibagdo territory. This cluster of villages does not have access to a nearby secondary school. None of the villages are supplied with electricity and a few do not have access to clean water.Class

The Foundation will address these challenges as well issues of woman empowerment. In addition to literacy classes, we intend to implement vocational training courses, instruction on family planning, hygiene, nutrition and micro-credit schemes for mothers to improve family income.

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The Project will tackle areas of children’s education, health and sanitation, legal recognition, and of families’ empowerment in their fight against poverty.


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Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranked by the UN Human Development Index as 175th out of the 177 countries. Its population suffers from a high illiteracy rate and very low school enrollment rate.