My name is Ilboudo Djeneba, I live in Burkina Fas in Western Africa, North of Ghana.

Population: 13 million

Literacy: 26.6%

Life Expectancy: 44.2 years

% Below Poverty line: 45%

Burkina fasco, formerly know as Upper Volta, achieved independence from France in 1960. It is one of the poorest countries in the world. Over 90 per cent of its population rely on subsistence farming, which has suffered from recurring droughts. Employment is scarce and over two million people work in neighbouring countries, mostly in Ivory Coast.

One of the biggest challenges in Burkina Faso is lack of Healthcare: there are only three doctors for every 100,000 people. Malaria, diarrhoea, malnutrition and respiratory infections are the biggest threats to children's lives.

Because of the scarcity in educational resources and families' need for a better life, many children in Burkina Faso work either as domestic servants, in agriculture or mining industry. They are also used as market traders, beggars or prostitutes. Children migrate to neighbouring countries to offers services in menial jobs or they are trafficked to work in cocoa plantations. Girls have even less opportunities than boys: female gender roles and child trafficking often force girls into labour or early marriage.

Around 40 per cent of the population still practice their traditional religion, animism, and half of the population professes Islam as their faith. Most Christians in Burkina Faso are Roman Catholics; the largest evangelical denomination is the Assemblies of God church.

Compassion's ministry in Burkina Faso started in 2004. Through Compassion's programmes children will get regular medical check ups, hygiene training, dental care, supplemental nutrition and educational opportunities, enabling them to become responsible, fulfilled adults.

 

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