Needed: School Lunches

The canteen at the Lycee Moderne de l’Amitie represents much more than a simple meal for internally displaced students (living in camps in Ouahigouya, their displacement due to jihadist attacks on their villages).  The northern region of Burkina Faso is a zone which is faced with a multidimensional crisis exacerbated by increasing insecurity which has led to the massive displacement of the rural population.  Thanks to the vital nutritional support of Global NEEED and its partner, Burkina Faso Girls’ Education Fund, the school canteen guarantees to these students one hot and balanced meal each day.  This helps reduce malnutrition and improves the students’ ability to concentrate in class and thus succeed in their studies.  It is also a huge help to the families of displaced students who left everything in their villages to seek security in Ouahigouya. 

Displaced students and their parents express their gratitude to Global NEEED Burkina and to Burkina Faso Girls’ Education Fund, adding “How can a child study when her stomach is empty?”   A huge Thank You for your support for a daily meal at the canteen at the Lycee Moderne de l’Amitie. 

Hello.  My name is Korotim.  I am 15 years old and in my last year of middle school at the Lycee Moderne de l'Amitie (LMA).  I come from Djibo, a town 116 kilometers northeast of Ouahigouya.  My family was forced to leave Djibo due to terrorist attacks, leaving behind our granaries full of corn, millet, sorgum and peanuts.  We are now living in a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ouahigouya.  Our journey took days, following a variety of paths and roads to reach our destination.

Thanks to your donations, I benefit from Global NEEED support for a noon meal at the LMA which gives me energy to pursue my studies and to succeed in the middle school exams and continue into secondary school here at the LMA.  Without this support, I would not be able to succeed.  I come from a family of 17 and my parents are unable to help me.

As an IDP, my journey has been marked by daily challenges and is always filled with hope.   I have integrated into a new environment in the camp and have formed new friendships in school. 

I will continue my education as far as possible.  My goal is to contribute to the development of my region by assisting in the rehabilitation and improvement of conditions of displaced persons; and to serve as mediator to facilitate the return of displaced persons to their villages of origin. 

Again, my sincere thank you for all of your support which is so important to my health and to my success in school.