Africa

Burkina Faso

Give access to health and protection

Terre des hommes (Tdh) has been active in Burkina Faso since 1987 and carries out projects related to health, nutrition and childhood protection. In 2010, more than 139,429 people benefited from the activities implemented.

The context

Burkina Faso is one of the least developed countries in the world. 80% of the population depends on a subsistence economy. The situation is complicated by cruelly inadequate infrastructures and high unemployment. The inaccessibility or complete lack of a healthcare system is a huge problem, and has a significant impact on mothers and children. Infant mortality is particularly high due to the important number of births that take place outside of any healthcare facility. Malnutrition is widespread throughout the whole country. Alongside this, a large number of Burkinabés have emigrated to Côte d’Ivoire or Ghana for economic reasons. Poverty forces many children to work at a very young age, making them vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking.

Our intervention

Protection of children working as domestic servants or in mines and stone quarries

In addition to awareness-raising sessions and the implementation of protection measures, Tdh works to strengthen traditional child protection mechanisms. The Foundation also establishes alliances with the authorities in order to put in place a mechanism capable of identifying and taking responsibility for children at risk and offering individual assistance aimed at successful reintegration (education, school support and professional training).

Health and nutrition

Since 2007, Tdh has assisted two health districts in combating severe acute malnutrition in children under the age of 5. The project has three main focus areas: firstly, strengthening health bodies to improve the quality of healthcare; secondly, a mechanism to provide free healthcare to all children under the age of 5, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women, thereby increasing health coverage; and finally, community health workers are supported in their role of raising awareness among mothers of prevention, screening and child monitoring.

Juvenile justice

In 2009, Tdh launched a project aimed at improving procedures relating to justice for minors and promoting alternatives to detention within the community.

Centered at -1.561593 12.238333 6

Places of intervention : Seguenega, Zorgho, Toeni, Tougan, Bobo Dioulasso, Ouagadougou, Dori

Projects : Health and nutrition, Protection against exploitation, trafficking and maltreatment, Juvenile justice

In joint cooperation with : Ministries of Health, Justice and Social Affairs, ECHO, UNICEF

Delegate : Thierry Agagliate

Expatriate staff : 2

National staff : 64

Budget : 2'837'357 CHF

Gallery

Latest News

26 Jan 2012 • Trafficking and exploitation Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso: Ganzourgou, gold mine and child exploitation

A dozen traditional gold mining sites have appeared in recent years in the province of Ganzourgou. Gold panners from all over flock there to work the sites, most often living in the greatest promiscuity, without any infrastructure for sanitation and with no access to public ba... Read more
11 Jan 2012 • Juvenile justice Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso: 56 youngsters who did not have to be imprisoned

Since 2010, Terre des hommes has been backing a restorative juvenile justice which is still in its infancy. The first work done by the delegation enabled introducing and trying out work of general interest, then, by the end of 2011, mediation in the courts. Read more

Side Notes

Children’s situation

46% of the population is under the age of 15
47% of children work

Results 2010

598 girls benefited from alternative activities to prevent their migration before the age of 16. In addition, help was given to more than 1000 girls working as domestic servants.
790 children leaving the quarries were helped into educational activities. 350 young people and mothers were taught to read and write, and 331 children between the ages of 3 and 5 were protected in nursery schools. 57 child talibs were enabled to go to school.
35 children benefited from alternative measures to prison
80,000 children under the age of 5 had access to medical screening in their community.
More than 90% of children with severe acute malnutrition who were offered care were cured.

Testimonial

Teri is 21 and she knows what she wants. Seven years ago she left her native village to go to Ouagadougou to look for work. She would like to be able to earn enough money so as not to have to go home empty-handed.

- Teri, Tdh beneficiary in Burkina Faso