Our plan in Burkina Faso

Plan is working at the grassroots level in Burkina Faso to empower communities to bring real and lasting change, so that children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Plan has worked in Burkina Faso (population 13 million) in West Africa since 1976, and currently works in the provinces of Sanmatenga, Namentenga, Bam, Kouritenga, Poni, Noumbiel and Bougouriba.  Plan Burkina Faso's programs aim to address the following issues affecting children:

• Limited access to quality education
  
• Poor child health care and immunisation rates
  
• High incidences of HIV and AIDS
  
• Inadequate access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation
• Low family income and food security    
• Poor child participation in community development

Plan’s programs and strategies to address these issues include:

Education

Continue to develop already established early childhood care and development programs for the survival, protection and health care of children to ensure their development from birth to six years. Increase enrolment in primary school by constructing/repairing more schools, assist in training and motivation of teachers and provide school supplies and equipment. Support the effort of parents by providing the opportunity for their children to attend secondary school in areas where secondary schools exist.

Education opportunities for girls and women

Overcome the low priority given to education of girls and women by communities. The role of the woman in society, although important, has repeatedly been minimised. In Burkina Faso, educational priority if any, is first placed on boys and men and then girls and women. 

Basic health care supported by a responsive health care system

Immunisation coverage of all children under five years of age. Malaria prevention, detection and treatment and the control of diarrhea diseases.

Water and sanitation

All villages in Plan’s program area will have at least one source for clean drinking water and have facilities for community sanitation.

HIV and AIDS prevention and education

Aim to protect all children against the affects of HIV and AIDS by focusing on testing, awareness-raising and working with associations of people living with HIV and AIDS.

Family income and food security

Help entire communities to build a better future for their children by analysing problems, identifying solutions, utilising local experience and available resources (particularly to increase agricultural productivity).

Child participation and child-centred community development approach

Plan Burkina Faso will continue to raise awareness among children and the local population of the rights of the child as outlined in the United Nations convention. Already Plan’s the rights of the child campaign including the radio campaign I am a child but I have my rights too in the local languages has been very successful.

Country Facts

Country	Burkina Faso	Australia
Flag
Population	12.8 Million	21 Million
Language	French, Mossi, Bobo and Gurma.	English
Capital	Ouagadougou	Canberra
GDP per capita (USD/year)	376	$37,300
Life expectancy	47.9	81.5
Access to safe drinking water	61%	100%
Literacy	21.8%	100%
Source:	United Nations: Millennium Development Goals Report 2006