Grateful for Pastors Like Daniel

Pastor Daniel lives in a remote community in Burkina Faso and has a big heart for women and children in desperate need — and a big vision to see the church rising to meet the community’s needs.

His village has only one school, which is overwhelmed by the number of students. As a result, many students don’t get the learning help they need, and they drop out before sixth grade since they lack the marks needed to move into upper grades. Youths who drop out can’t access vocational training and often end up working in traditional gold mining sites. The work is backbreaking and dangerous, with hidden dangers lurking at the mining camps like abuse, drug addiction and child pregnancy.

“The church represents fertile soil for children in the community,” says Pastor Daniel. “It means that when a seed falls at the church, it must grow and bear fruit. My vision for this community is that children can learn new skills and jobs that allow them to grow and flourish like seeds for the development of their families and the village.”

His love for others is visible in how he mobilizes his church to bring hope to the hopeless.

Opportunities Through Education

Since partnering with Compassion in 2012, their children’s and youth ministry has yielded good fruit — and now, the church is determined to help more children attend school, to grow, learn and thrive in their educations. The church is so committed that they’re building a school.

“I am happy that Compassion and the church together can create more impact in the village. The church organizes special offerings each month to mobilize resources and support the activities of the center. Last year, the church started the construction of four new classrooms, but the local resources couldn’t finish the work. Thankfully, this year Compassion provided for the roofing and the completion work,” explains Pastor Daniel.

From temporary tiny shelters, the church is now building concrete classrooms to accommodate more students at the primary school of the church.

The impact is already apparent in the children’s lifted spirits and enthusiasm.

“Without the new classrooms, many children would have stopped their education. Thanks to the new classrooms, the students are motivated to attend school. I can see their joy to be here and learn new things. It will also contribute to enhancing their performance,” says Palipouguini, the director of the primary school.

The Power of Vocational Training

In addition to starting the primary school, Pastor Daniel and the church leaders wanted to reach children in their community who were no longer in the classroom — either because their grades were not high enough or because their families lacked the resources to send them to school. So they built a sewing workshop on the eastern side of the church compound.

The church provides training materials, including sewing machines, irons, tables, seats and an experienced trainer. The classes are open not just to young students but to their mothers and caregivers and whoever wants to learn a new skill — and, potentially, a source of income.

“Since the sewing workshop opened, the center no longer sends children’s clothes to town for sewing. The students can now sew the uniforms for children at the center, and this is awesome because it is cheaper,” says Elisee, the center director.

The church is also organizing farming and livestock classes where more children can be trained and can practice growing crops and raising animals.

By offering formal education and practical skills training, the church can help more children and more families to thrive. In turn, they are seeing their community built up and the standing of their church growing stronger.

“The church has a greater reputation in the village because of the work being done. From less than 50 members in the church in 2002, the church has now more than 600 believers. We have also planted two daughter churches in nearby villages by the grace of God,” says Pastor Daniel.

Across the world, pastors like Pastor Daniel’s are committed to breaking the cycle of poverty through life-changing initiatives. And as they care for children of low-income families, empowering them to thrive and fulfill their dreams, the Church is growing stronger.

Thank you, Pastor Daniel, for your commitment to children in Burkina Faso and for all the ways you’re allowing God to use your gifts to release children from poverty!