We love working in Burkina Faso, Africa, a country many have never heard of. Not really known for much and hardly mentioned in the news, this wonderful country is full of good people.
Burkina Faso actually means "Land of the honest people." It is about the size of Colorado, with a population of over 16 million. The majority of the country lives without electricity or clean running water. The average age in Burkina Faso is under 17 years old with a low fife expectancy.
Unlike many African countries, few individuals are infected with AIDS. However, there are man people dying of starvation and water born illnesses. Most of which are avoidable or treatable. The number one killer of children under the age of five is diarrhea due to a lack of clean water and proper hygiene.
Burkina Faso, like many African nations, is often plagued by drought. Although its people and crop-sustained economy are often thirsty for a drink, that is not all they are thirsty for. The struggling people in Burkina Faso are also thirsty for work.
According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, 45% of people in Burkina Faso live off of less than $1 a day. These honest, loving people want to be industrious and welcome us to their land.
In Burkina Faso, we help orphans and orphanages in several ways by:
- Taking them food
- Making needed repairs to schools
- Planting gardens and fruits trees on their grounds
- Giving them shoes
- Helping orphans gain necessary skills to get future jobs
We strive to meet immediate needs while also working to make the orphans and orphanages capable of sustaining themselves.