Burkina Faso Facts

Ne ye windiga! That’s how you say “hello” in Mooré, one of the most commonly spoken languages in Burkina Faso. This country in Africa is known for its cultural diversity, as it’s home to over 60 different ethnic groups. Learn more Burkina Faso facts here.

A young woman dressed in a colorful dress waters bright green plants in a garden.

Here are some Burkina Faso fun facts:

a map of the country Burkina Faso

Where Is Burkina Faso Located?

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country located in West Africa. It borders six other countries, including Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. 

Key Challenges in Burkina Faso & Our Response

While Burkina Faso is a beautiful country with a rich and vibrant culture, it’s also home to many children who live in poverty and face devastating challenges. 

Educational Challenges Cause Children to Fall Behind 

According to recent data, only 33% of those living in Burkina Faso aged 25-64 can read and write. Adults who can’t read or write find it hard to get secure and well-paying work. As they’re unable to provide for themselves and their families, escaping poverty is almost impossible. Quality education is critical for children to grow into self-sufficient adults empowered to leave poverty behind. 

Our Response: Offering Educational & Vocational Opportunities 

Through our local church partners, children receive educational opportunities such as tutoring as well as tuition support and school supplies so they can go to school and grow. 

For older children and teens, we offer vocational training opportunities to teach them income-generating skills they can use to provide for themselves and build secure futures free from poverty. 

Natural Disasters Put Children at Risk 

Many regions in Africa, including Burkina Faso, face frequent crises such as poor growing seasons and devastating floods. These disasters place already vulnerable children at higher risk. When disaster strikes, children face exposure to the elements, hunger and the need for critical medical care. 

Our Response: Providing Emergency Care to Those in Need 

Compassion has worked with local churches to establish a Disaster Relief Fund to care for communities facing crisis. This fund empowers churches to provide children and families with emergency food and water, temporary shelters, counseling, medical interventions and more. 

Our Impact in Burkina Faso

Compassion has served the children and families of Burkina Faso for two decades. In this time, we’ve released thousands of children from poverty through child sponsorship. 

107,326

children served (and counting).

444

churches serving.

19

years of serving.

A Colorful Christmas Celebration

Empowering Children Living With Disabilities

The local churches we partner with go above and beyond to serve children in need. This includes providing specialized care to children like Kader from Burkina Faso, who lives with a disability. 

A young man sits in front of a chalkboard while holding a backpack and smiling for the camera.

Reina Works to Reach His Dreams of Becoming an IT Engineer

Reina, a 19-year-old from Burkina Faso, is studying to become an IT engineer with the support of Compassion. See the impact of a quality education on Reina’s life and the lives of others. 

Fight Child Poverty: Give Right-Now Care & Eternal Hope

Nutritious food. Medical care. Protection from harm. Hope. These are just some of the critical, right-now needs of children living in poverty. Help us fight child poverty by meeting these needs and sharing the lasting hope of the gospel. 

Sponsor a Child

By sponsoring a child, you empower a local church to share the gospel by meeting the needs of a child’s body, mind and spirit. Through sponsorship, you’ll help deliver medical care, hygiene training, education, malnutrition monitoring and so much more to a child in need. 

Pray

Jeremiah 33:3 says that if we call on God, he will answer us. When we lift up children living in poverty, God hears us, and we can trust he’s working on their behalf. Join us in praying daily for children living in poverty by becoming a prayer partner.

Donate

Children living in poverty face many challenges, from a lack of medical care to dangerous living conditions. You can provide immediate support by donating to fulfill a right-now need.