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. 
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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