Clean Water for Rural Villagers in Burkina Faso

On World Water Day last week, BARKA hosted a conference about peace and civic engagement for youth to counteract the growing terrorist influence that has been disrupting the country's security. In Burkina Faso, water has always been synonymous with peace. Water is the first thing brought to a stranger or visitor when they arrive. People in Burkina say 'No Water, No Life... No Water, No Peace'. 

Therefore, BARKA Foundation felt compelled to address this crisis of insecurity at the local level. We've partnered with the local government arm of the Ministry of Human Rights to focus on creating a "culture of peace" through civic education and engagement for youth and students. Terrorist groups are recruiting individuals at the local level, and this is a way to counteract the susceptibility of youngsters from joining their ranks. Through this event on World Water Day, we are creating resilience and building resistance to the developing threat of terrorism sweeping the nation.

The event was held right in front of the Peace Pole which BARKA implanted last year on World Water Day during The Water Fair (watch a 5-minute film about the Water Fair here).

There are also new water projects in development which are needed more than ever. BARKA is committed to ensuring that every school in Fada has clean water, improved sanitation and hygiene education. We are currently seeking funders for this ambitious, multi-year project.

Our WASH-in-Schools program led to the blosssoming of a Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) program which has recently entered a new phase and has already directly benefitted over 2500 girls at 7 schools. MHM is a powerful way to suport girls and women's empowerment and BARKA has established itself as a leader in this field within Burkina Faso. We will construct "MHM cabins" this Spring at Fada's 2 biggest high schools next to latrines to address a major lack of resources to properly address girls' menstrual needs. For more visit our Global Giving project page.

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