Needed: School Lunches!

I want to share with you the expression of appreciation of several students of the Lycee Modern de l’Amitie (LMA, the combined middle-secondary school for girls from indigent families) in northern Burkina Faso. Each of them comes from a subsistence farming family who is unable to support their education. These girls did remarkably well in their village primary schools and, thanks to generous support to the LMA, were offered the opportunity to continue their studies at the LMA. Because the lodging these students are able to find generally does not include meals, it is particularly important that their school provide them a noon meal.

Zalissa. I am 13 years old. I am an orphan. I found a place to stay in a town 2 km from the school. This is my first year at this school. My extended family sent me here because the classes are better and because I could get a meal every day. I can eat here and study all day. The canteen plays a big role in my studies. Without it, it would be difficult for me to study. I am very happy to be here.

Marie. I am 19 years old. This is my 7th and final year at the Lycee Modern de l’Amitie. The LMA is the best middle-secondary school in the region. This is obvious if one looks at the results of school exams. The canteen plays an important role for us who come from very poor families. We eat for free at noon and this helps us concentrate on our studies. I anticipate earning my BAC (secondary school diploma) in June. I thank the donors who support the lycee and encourage them to continue to support the canteen.

Bintou. I am 16 years old. My parents live 75 km from my school. They wanted me to go to this school because of the quality of the classes and so that I could benefit from a noon meal. At home, there is very little to eat. My parents are subsistent farmers and therefore I would not have been able to continue my studies without the opportunity to enroll in this school. With the canteen, I can eat, rest and review my coursework before resuming classes in the afternoon. Thank you to Friends of Burkina Faso for your support of the canteen.

On behalf of all of the village girls attending the Lycee Modern de l’Amitie, I want to thank all of our generous GlobalGiving donors. For many of these bright and hardworking students, the noon meal (of rice, beans or pasta) is their « daily bread ». Your continued support is essential to their ability to study and to succeed.