A Beacon of Hope in Diapaga: A Progress Update from Burkina Faso

In the heart of Burkina Faso, where the dust of conflict still lingers, 132 students in Diapaga and surrounding villages are facing unimaginable hardship. Forced to live apart from their parents, they are raising younger siblings while fighting to stay in school.

But they are not alone. With donor support, each students received 50 kg of rice – ensuring they have the nourishment to stay strong and continue learning. And this is just one piece of a much larger story.   

The Diapaga project is providing a lifeline to children, families, and communities torn apart by violence and displacement. This is not just a story of aid—it is a story of resilience, empowerment, and the power of coming together to heal what has been broken.

Unity in Action

The journey began in May 2024, when we brought together voices from the six villages impacted by this crisis—villages where families have lost their homes, their livelihoods, and their sense of security. Local authorities, community leaders, and families themselves gathered to share their hopes, their struggles, and their commitments to a future built on collaboration. Their pledges to support this project set the stage for what has already been a journey of profound change.

With the community’s support, we hosted two training sessions for 100 women—women who are the heart of these villages. They learned how to nourish their children with enriched porridge, how to care for their bodies and babies during pregnancy, and how to access free health services that can save lives. These women, once burdened by the weight of survival, are now armed with the knowledge to help their families thrive.

In a powerful act of generosity, community members donated a one-hectare plot of land to be used as a market garden. This land will serve as a place where the community can grow food and cultivate hope, creating sustainable sources of income for those who need it most.

Healing Through Nourishment and Care

As we moved into June, our efforts expanded to address the growing crisis of malnutrition. In the villages, we screened over 600 children for signs of malnutrition, and the results were heartbreaking. 219 children were identified as severely or moderately malnourished, and many of them were rushed to hospitals where they received the life-saving care they needed to regain their strength.

At the same time, we recognized that healing involves more than just food—it also involves protection. We held a workshop for 30 community members, helping them develop action plans to protect children and ensure their safety. These plans will guide the villages toward a future where the youngest, most vulnerable members of these communities can grow and flourish.

Ensuring Educational Continuity and Preventing Violence Against Children

In the face of displacement, ensuring that children continue their education and remain safe is paramount. The Diapaga project has prioritized both of these critical needs through ongoing efforts to keep the light of learning shining, even amidst hardship.

To start, we hosted an informational meeting with local authorities, community leaders, and stakeholders, uniting all parties in their commitment to the project’s success. Everyone pledged their support, understanding the importance of educational continuity for the children in these villages.

In addition to this strong collaborative foundation, we facilitated child protection training for 30 community members. These workshops focused on creating action plans to safeguard children across the six villages, offering a sense of security in a world that has already been shaken by violence.

In a powerful step toward ensuring that education continues even in difficult circumstances, we distributed solar kits to 15 heads of households. These kits are critical in providing children with the ability to study at home, even after the sun sets. Coupled with this, we provided solar-powered radios to displaced students, enabling them to access educational broadcasts during times when schools are closed, helping them keep pace with their studies despite the turmoil.

Advancing Economic Empowerment

As we continue to address the needs of the community, economic empowerment plays a crucial role in providing lasting stability. Thanks to the generosity of the community, we secured a one-hectare plot of land, which was donated for the creation of a community market garden. This land will become a cornerstone of sustainability, allowing families to grow their own food and generate income.

To bring this vision to life, we provided the necessary materials to set up the market garden, including a borehole for water access. Thirty members of a Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) are now involved in this initiative, growing fruits and vegetables that will not only nourish their families but also potentially triple their income. This project is a clear example of how economic empowerment can help heal communities and provide hope for the future.

A Future Built on Shared Strength

By July, the community had already begun to see the fruits of these efforts. Families received much-needed food support, including 100 kg of corn for 140 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and 50 kg of rice for students struggling to provide for their younger siblings while staying in school. With this support, they have a fighting chance to continue learning while caring for their families.

And in the heart of the community, the market garden is beginning to take root. With the tools and materials in hand, local farmers—especially women and youth—are beginning to grow the fruits and vegetables that will sustain them for years to come.

A Journey of Hope, Still Unfolding

This is just the beginning. The Diapaga project is still in motion, and the lives it touches are still unfolding in the most beautiful and powerful ways. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is light. It is a testament to the strength of community, to the power of sharing knowledge, and to the unwavering belief that when we come together, we can rebuild what was once thought lost.

The work being done in Diapaga is not just about survival—it’s about dignity, about empowerment, and about creating a future where the echoes of conflict are replaced with the songs of children laughing and families dreaming of a brighter tomorrow.

In this story of hope, we are all a part of the change. And as each day passes, the seeds of transformation take root, growing into something beautiful, something lasting, something that will carry the people of Diapaga into a future they deserve.