Burkina Faso has been in US and world news several times recently. While not all of the news is positive, it does serve to remind that Burkina is moving in the right direction.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation is a United States Government organization that provides poor countries with funds for roads, sanitation, energy, agriculture, education, and healthcare. In order to be eligible to receive these funds, a country must demonstrate just governance, investment in their people, and the encouragement of economic freedom. Burkina recently became eligible for the MCC Threshold Programs, which are smaller grants intended for use in specific sectors. In Burkina, the money will be used for much needed development in primary school education of girls. 132 schools have already been constructed, and this summer a Compact agreement was signed for up to $520 million in additional education and infrastructure aid.
On a less serious note, as many of you may have seen, the popular television show “The Amazing Race” was filmed in Burkina Faso last winter. Participants milked camels, taught Moore (the main tribal language), and had some adventures in the marketplace. If Burkina while you’re awake isn’t enough, you can now cover yourself in Burkina while you sleep! Yup, Victoria’s Secret recently signed on for an order of 600 tons of Burkinabe organic cotton. Aside from that “soft, cozy and warm” feel you’ve always loved from your Vicky’s unmentionables, this fair trade deal has the added benefit of directly benefiting village women. Now there’s something to think about the next time you “slip into something a little more comfortable!”
Finally, two articles (here and here) recently appeared in the Wall Street Journal regarding the affects the rising cost of food has had on Burkina’s poorest people. Specifically, they outline the ways and reasons women have been hit hardest by the ever-increasing cost of feeding a family. After living amongst the well-off in Ouaga for the past month, reading these articles was a reminder about the average Burkinabe’s life. To be sure, the articles’ content was not surprising or new to me: I see the “Green Brigade” of women street sweepers every morning; I stopped asking my village students how lunch was once I realized the most common answer was “I didn’t eat”; and I play card games on Sunday afternoons with my male students while my female students are doing their housework. Thing is, all that has become normal in the past year. The meals of “bland cornmeal mush” aren’t nutritious, but they don’t taste that bad. My garbage may not make the most sanitary toys for my kid neighbors, but at least they are reusing. While some of these aspects of life are certainly not life-threatening, the articles were a good reminder that “normal” sometimes needs to change.
Well, there you have it. Burkina may not be beating China or India (or Sarah Palin’s pregnant daughter?!) to the top of the newscast everyday, but look closely. Every once in a while we’re there, plugging away one step at a time.
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