Stories of lives transformed in Burkina Faso

Asmoom
Asmoom’s congenital disorder has robbed her of any mobility in her lower body and rendered her bones incredibly fragile.  She could rarely leave her home because of her lack of mobility, and as a result, could not play with others her own age or go to school. With a €300 donation from International Service, a specially-made wheelchair was purchased and assembled for her, as well as a sewing machine. Asmoom enrolled in a couture course and she is now making friends with her classmates, forming a life outside of her courtyard.

“I am really happy because it will help me get around alone.  The wheelchair will also help me do more by myself for example going to the toilet without anyone having to help me. It will also enable me to go to the centre where I do my training and in the evening I will be able to go and visit my friends.”

Michel
As a child, Michel would have to crawl around to get to various places.  Against all odds, Michel decided to pursue an education, having to crawl for 3km there and back.  His pursuit of an education defied the opinions of his neighbors and teachers, who thought there was no point for him to receive an education.  Michel eventually won a scholarship to secondary school, but after the revolution ended he lost his grant.  Michel soon began to struggle paying for school expenses, and had to return home in Fada N’Gourma. 

He is now president of Disabled People's Association of Gourma (APHG) in Burkina Faso which is supported by Interntional Service. He continues to stress the importance of human rights training and inclusive education. “The problems of inclusion are greatly reduced if people are educated and know how to get their rights. That’s why we ran the human rights training here in Fada. Inclusive education is best, of course, because it makes communication between disabled and non-disabled people easier.”

Miabala
Miabala, who lives in a village near Fada N’Gourma in Burkina Faso, is all too familiar with the sexual exploitation of disabled women.  She married a rich man who offered to set her up with her own shop but instead of helping her, he mistreated her, forcing her to beg for food and soap.  After Miabala had a miscarriage she was continually beaten even after she became pregnant again. She eventually moved back into her mother’s house.

Now, Miabala earns a little money as a weaving instructor at AHPG, and also does a little trading to support her children. “I come in here every morning and everyone is cheerful, so I am happy; my mind is free and I am emotionally stable.”