A group of local Burkinabe people have started an NGO to try to do something about the appalling problems faced by the most vulnerable people in Burkina Faso - that group is led by Joanna llboudo.
In the year 2000, Joanna was very challenged by the plight of AIDS widows
and orphans, and had a strong desire to help them to improve their own situation. She wanted to
tackle the very low educational opportunities and expectations that acted as block on people being able to help themselves.
Two years later she founded an organisation called ACTS (Action Chretienne, Tous pour la Solidaritie) who would
provide hope and love for mothers and their children. Thier first project was an orphanage where orphans could feel secure and learn how to escape the cycle of poverty and disease.
It has expanded rapidly and ACTS now run a wide range of projects aiming to empower people to help themselves.
The projects include:
| 1. |
Vocational training and Education Programme |
| |
a) |
A school for 700 children that is now achieving very high standards |
| |
b) |
Employment Training including carpentry, furniture making and clothes production |
| 2. |
Capacity Building Programme |
| |
a) |
Literacy classes and "speed school", aiming to reach 5000 rural women in 2009. This
also includes a community capacity building to equip the women to participate in
decision making. |
| |
b) |
"Saving for Change" Project. This is a micro credit scheme set to reach 8,000
women this year in mainly rural areas |
| 3. |
Community Health, Fight HIV/AIDS, Hygiene and Sanitation Programme |
| |
a) |
A medical centre - opened in May 2009 by the Prime Minister's wife. It is the only
health centre for a community for 75,000 people |
| |
b) |
A dental centre |
| 4. |
Orphanage for 70 children |
Joanna has built up a wide range of partnerships and has been recognised at the highest level by her
Government. In December 2008 she was made a Chevalier de I'ordre merite Burkinabe. This is the
equivalent of a UK Knighthood.
Joanna visited our church last year, and described in a very inspiring way the
work that ACTS were doing, especially in helping people to help themselves. After the meeting, a number
of the congregation expressed a strong desire to help. They decided to work towards a short-term visit to Burkina Faso, to assist ACTS in their work.
Our project was born!! |
