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Burkina Faso, a country to build
May 15th, 2007 -
DAY 700 |
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Six weeks of cooperation
During the last five weeks, we’ve worked as volunteers in the
village of Bérégadougou, in the western part of Burkina-Faso.
We joined our efforts with those of Pierrette, Caroline’s aunt,
to create a Web site for the Wouol association. (We will let you
know when the site is online). This association is a group of
local farmers and processing plant owners whose main products
are dried mango and grilled cashew nuts. We also put together a
promotional leaflet for the association. |
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3000 pictures
Meanwhile, Uncle Claude set up an analytical accounting system
for the association. Thanks to all the pictures Patrick had
taken – almost 3000 in a month -, we put together an exhibition
that was seen by many of the country’s politicians and leaders.
Patrick also took the opportunity to help a young Burkina-Faso
photographer improve his technique and provided him with photo
equipment. |
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Invest in the future
Thanks to the generosity of Action Services Group, we were able
to invest in the future of four Burkina-Faso youngsters living
in extremely difficult conditions, in allowing them to go to
school till the end of college. |
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We loved our experience, because it allowed us to meet
resourceful and open-minded people. We met and exchanged with
various groups, all with interesting projects for the
community’s development. However, we did feel powerless when
faced with the various essential needs still to be filled and
the lack of organization of certain associations we would have
liked to help financially. |
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International aid, really helpful?
After many discussions and sleepless nights, we came to
the conclusion that the help provided had to be about
the transmission of knowledge and the setting up of
tools to help the Burkina-Faso people be more autonomous.
We remain divided about whether all international help
sent here is truly helpful, or if it only helps appease
a few consciences. Burkina-Faso received billions of
dollars from rich countries, but the great majority of
that money ended up benefiting mostly dishonest and
greedy people, instead of helping people who live with
under 350 $US per year. |
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It is upsetting to hear sixteen-year-olds saying openly,
laughing almost, that they had done nothing all day. They claim
to be looking for something to do and beg us to help them. Such
a situation is out of our understanding. But faced with such a
lack of resources and education, who can blame them?
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to 150 students in the same classroom |
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On our way to Benin
Next week, we will be on a safari in the Pendjari Park, in the
northern part of Benin, to capture images of lions, elephants,
cheetahs, leopards, gazelles and hippopotamuses. After that, we
will be flying to Egypt, where we will spend the next two weeks. |
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Traveling at a different pace
Our great adventure, the adventure of our lives, will soon take
a new pace. We plan on going back to Quebec in early June. We
have yet to decide where we will be working, even in which city
we will be living. We plan on continuing our adventure, but
traveling only a month or two a year. |
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We feel the need to find a home and be closer to our family and
friends. All doors are opened; it is at the same time exciting
and scary. We are confident life will take us on unsuspected
paths. It is up to us to stay alert to all opportunities. |
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ADVERTISEMENTS |
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