Local Church Builds a School to Give Students a Second Chance to Learn

An Overwhelming Need

In a remote community in eastern Burkina Faso, children heading back to school crowd into a classroom, chattering, excited and eager to learn. There’s only one public school in the community, and it’s bursting at the seams.

But having so many children in one classroom makes it hard for the teacher to follow each student’s progress and ensure they have the support needed to progress during the school year. As a result, by grade six many children and teenagers’ marks are below the level required to move into upper grades. So they drop out.

There is no vocational school available in this tiny village. When a child leaves school, he or she has very few options. And the poorest children are most disadvantaged.

Students who fail their formal education often run away to work in traditional gold mining sites, where they face all kinds of risks. The work is backbreaking and dangerous, but many other threats lurk in the mining camps: child exploitation, child abuse, child labor and drug addiction. Specifically for young girls, the risks of child marriage or pregnancy are on the rise due to growing security issues in the region and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The future looks uncertain for children from low-income families, and they need urgent assistance.

A Pastor with a Plan

One man who sees the risks facing local children is Pastor Daniel. And he’s determined to do something about them.

He has a big heart for the well-being of women and children in desperate need — and a big vision to see the church rising to meet the community’s needs.

“The church represents fertile soil for children in the community. 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,” says Pastor Daniel.

His love for others is visible in the mobilization of his church to bring hope to the hopeless.

Since the local church’s partnership with Compassion Burkina Faso in 2012, their children’s and youth ministry has yielded good fruit — and now, they’re determined to help more children attend school, to grow and learn and thrive in their educations.

They’re so committed that they’re building a school at the church grounds.

“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 learners at their primary school.

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

“Without the new classrooms, many children would have stopped their educations. 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.

Damalissa is in grade six, and she is preparing for her primary school exams due in June. The 13-year-old failed her exams last year and therefore couldn’t register in the public school this year. But she has a second chance to learn at the church’s school. “I am thankful to be enrolled in the new school of the church. The teacher is very kind, and I am learning more subjects compared to last year. I hope that I will succeed in my certificate this year and go to high school. I want to become a teacher one day and train little children,” says Damalissa, smiling.

Training for All

On the eastern side of the church compound, a small room is humming with the sound of sewing machines. It’s the sound of a second chance.

In addition to starting the primary school, the church leaders wanted to reach out to the 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. Pastor Daniel and his staff firmly believe that every child is worth vocational training to develop their skills and God-given potential, and they’ve put their beliefs into action.

Alima is a 14-year-old girl who dropped out of school last year. She would have missed this incredible opportunity to develop her sewing abilities without the church’s workshop for young girls and caregivers.

And she’s discovered a talent she never knew she had!

“After a few months of training, I have learned to take a measurement, cut a pattern, and design shirts, pants and dresses. I would have traveled to the nearest city to learn sewing, but thank God I can receive this training here at church with very lovely people,” says Alima.

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

Alima is one of the best sewing students at the center, and she is looking forward to starting her own business next year after her graduation.

Thriving Children and a Strengthened Church

“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.

Both Damalissa and Alima are grateful that the church and the center are giving them tools and knowledge for sustainable development, fighting illiteracy and a lack of education in their communities. The church is also organizing farming and livestock classes where more children can be trained and practice growing crops and raising animals.

“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 Burkina Faso, church partners like Pastor Daniel’s are committed to breaking the cycle of poverty through life-changing initiatives. By offering formal education and practical skills training, the church can help more children and families thrive. And as they enhance the learning environment and opportunities for children of low-income families, the churches themselves are growing stronger.