Burkina Faso: Rebuilding Lives Through Empowerment!

By Mohamed El Habib Cisse, Communication officer, WV Burkina Faso

The security and humanitarian crisis that has affected Burkina Faso since 2015 has led to a significant displacement of populations to areas deemed safer. Unfortunately, these people face difficult journeys, leaving behind all their hopes and dreams.

With a tight throat filled with emotion, a trembling but hopeful voice, Assèta, an internally displaced person, shares the joy of participating in the sewing classes she has been attending for several months at the Shalom training centre:

"Because of the insecurity, we left Djibo (Soum province, Sahel region) and moved to Ouagadougou. I had to interrupt my studies because of the insecurity, and now I live here with part of my family. It was not easy at first because we left everything behind when we fled. When I met the World Vision teams and was selected for this sewing course, I found my smile again".

Thanks to the "Youth Economic Strengthening – YES KIRE" project, 325 vulnerable young people have been enrolled in vocational training, including Assèta. Among them, 53 girls have joined the Shalom Training Centre to learn sewing and weaving after participating in the "Youth Ready" life skills development programme, which aims to help them understand their rights, moral and civic values, responsible decision-making, self-discovery, confidence-building, and acquiring the skills needed to plan and succeed in life.

Assèta explains that this training represents a hope for better integration into society and, one day, achieving self-sufficiency:

"Today, I can say that I know how to sew clothes, especially different styles. I am proud of what I have achieved since the beginning of this training."

In February 2024, World Vision's leadership in West Africa, along with World Vision International's Chief Operating Officer, Jean-Baptiste Kamaté, visited the Shalom Vocational Training Centre. They met Aminata, who shared her story with them. The visitors were deeply moved by the energy and determination of the students who are building their futures through these vocational programmes.

At the end of the discussions, Jean-Baptiste Kamaté stated:

"I am amazed by the energy and enthusiasm in your testimonies. I can feel your commitment to learning, and I wish you success in this training."

Youth Ready, World Vision's positive and inclusive youth development model, aims to transform vulnerable and marginalised young people into agents of change, both in their own lives and in their communities. The programme fosters an enabling environment for youth development. Designed for adolescents and young adults aged 15-24, whether in or out of school, Youth Ready's holistic and multi-sectoral approach emphasises the development of life skills and empowerment. 

Looking to the future, Assèta is confident that she can rebuild her life. Thanks to her participation in the project, she feels more productive, engaged and open to opportunities in her community:

"I hope one day to open my own sewing workshop to train and support young people from my village".

The KIRE project, which aims to support 1,500 young people, is being implemented in the municipalities of Ouagadougou and Boromo. It has been made possible thanks to financial support from World Vision Germany.