Boxes and Gifts
Recently, thanks to an American charitable organization and our local partner and NGO our friends in Bouassa received boxes. Many boxes. A first batch of 32 of these boxes, contained bags of rice. Another batch [...]
So, what do we do now?
During a phone conversation with Séraphin Guigma, the pastor of the protestant parish of Bouassa, our local friend and partner with these projects, he recently explained a problem that he has been facing, and consequently, [...]
Eye to Eye
This could be the slogan of a promotional campaign for an ophthalmologist or an optician. And that's the case! In fact, at the beginning of February, the small Protestant parish of Bouassa organized free eye [...]
Happy New Year 2018!
On behalf of the Protestant Parish of Bouassa, we wish you a Happy New Year 2018! We sincerely hope that this year marks the beginning of the pigsty project. The works have unfortunately not restarted [...]
..and we keep on keepin’ on!
Despite the summer months and the rainy season in Burkina, the work on the pigsty has made tremendous progress in Bouassa! A few more weeks and the pigsty will be ready to welcome its [...]
things are buzzing with life
It is always a source of joy when construction starts. Even though the walls have not yet emerged from the ground, things are becoming tangible and we can imagine what the pigsty will look like [...]
Work begins!
It took time, a lot of time... as things do we when you work with the administrations. Finally, Séraphin was able to cash the check from the Belgian foundation which is financing the pigsty project. [...]
Some news and some ideas
"The good news": the pigsty project has been funded and the finances should reach Burkina in the next few days! What an amazing step forward in the overall development initiative for the village of Bouassa. [...]
HEY, WE GOT NEWS!! 🙂
If last week we did not have much to say about what is happening in Bouassa…today, we have a little more news... Séraphin Guigma, the head of the Rehoboth non-profit, and partner of the Bouassa [...]
Any news? … Not really….
It’s quite surprising, but as 2017 is perhaps marked by a global economic slowdown, we haven’t seen Phase II funding move as quickly as expected for the Bouassa project, or at least everything seems to [...]
Soap, popcorn and a trash can!
At the end of the year, like we mentioned in our previous article, the small Protestant community organized a big meal in Bouassa. More than 200 children gathered for a large meal, larger than what [...]
Season’s Greetings….
Season’s Greetings for a place where the story is to be continued...! We haven’t updated you in a few weeks, but I can assure you, all is well! We are still expecting news from the [...]
Bouassa: Humanitarian Aid or a Social Economy?
We’ve been asked this question several times. From our point of view, Humanitarian Aid is, without question, useful and needed. However, Humanitarian Aid is a short-term action, technically speaking, it brings assistance in crisis [...]
Wash your hands!
When I was a child just before eating, my mother or my father would always ask my brothers and myself to wash our hands. All we had to do was to go to the [...]
The Dynamics of Development
In a previous article we spoke about the pigsties that are being developed in Bouassa. They haven’t been financed yet, but communication have begun with a Belgian organization and we hope the project will see [...]
Erik, Where do I donate?
Dear Friends, So many people have asked me.. How do I donate? As they say a picture is worth a thousand words.. so I created a video to explain things... As a reminder, 100% of [...]
An update?
Fundraising for Phase 2 in Bouassa is far from over but we keep on keepin’ on! So here's where we stand to date: We have raised €5,631 ($6,333), including €1,631 ($1,834) of individual gifts (thank [...]
Aminata’s dream
It is almost 7pm, the night has come to our little village of Bouassa. The darkness covers the small square in the center of the neighborhood, in the middle of which stands a beautiful hand [...]
The Story of the Pigs, part 2
Let’s talk about the pig farm project that should start very soon. This is a long-term project because the idea is to create a new breed of pig on the basis of a new stem [...]
News from Bouassa! Community Involvement!
At Kougpélin, in the neighborhood of the village of Bouassa where the Hand Pump was set up, the population is getting even more involved. It is amazing how water brings life! In the Protestant parish [...]
The Rainy Season
It’s moving in and knocking on Bouassa’s door... and it’s a good thing for the inhabitants of the neighborhood of Kougpélin. It's hot and humid, the atmosphere is full of an invisible energy, the animals [...]
A Holistic Approach
A Holistic Approach Last week we reminded you of the different aspects of Bouassa project. As we have already mentioned, our project meets the guidelines of the city’s “Community Development Plan” for Water and Sanitation [...]
the Second Phase
Hello Everyone! Thanks so much for the interest you have been showing toward the Bouassa Project! The project means so much to all of us! Now that Phase 1 is up and running, the Second [...]
The Extreme Heat in the Summer
The Extreme Heat in the Summer The hot season has settled in on Bouassa, for several weeks now. The desert wind stopped blowing, and with it the cool of the morning. The air vibrates as if [...]
How will you celebrate World Water Day this year?
Every year on March 22, we celebrate World Water Day and remember those who still do not have access to safe drinking water. Sponsored by the United Nations, World Water Day is an internationally recognized occasion to [...]
Why do we still need you?
Even if we firmly hope that Phase 2 of the Bouassa project will be fully funded by the foundations where we have submitted applications, it is still true that we need your help! Indeed, we [...]
Bouassa – Paris
Within days of getting back from Burkina and our visits to Bouassa, we were invited by the City of Paris to present our project to a group of 6 people who will be responsible to [...]
Water containers, jugs and cans!
They line up at dawn, stoic, like good soldiers, some attached to each other, others messy and a little banged up, however all have tremendous discipline to hold the water of the day. They are [...]
Back to Burkina!
In a few days we will be leaving for Burkina Faso. We are really looking forward to going to Bouassa; we now have friends in the village and many other activities in Burkina Faso. Business [...]
A glass of water
In Africa, and Burkina Faso in particular, a glass of water is essential. It is an act of hospitality to offer a "foreigner" when they visit your house. Here is how things take place: "Ko [...]
Christmas in the village
The evening is still warm as the sky quickly fades and soon welcomes a fresh breeze that surrounds the village. The north wind is still blowing at this time, it is called the Harmattan, and [...]
Phase 1…Phase 2
Just wanted to share a few words about our strategy that you will probably find helpful! For all intents and purposes, Phase 1 of the Bouassa water drilling project is complete!!! Although we didn’t raise [...]
Here we go!
The 2016 campaign is officially launched! All of the Grant Applications have been sent to various foundations in order to finance THE SECOND PHASE OF THE PROJECT Bouassa. This time the goal is [...]
Back from Burkina Faso!
I’m sure you all noticed what was happening in Burkina Faso these last few weeks! The media did a great job informing the world! Burkina Faso went through some significant “disturbances”. Everything is back to [...]
Lots and lots of water … 🙂
Here we are again, faced with an important decision... The amount of drinking water that well produces, 1600 gallons (6m3) per hour, is quite considerable. And that's wonderful! The water well with the flag [...]
THE HAND PUMP FOR THE WATER WELL IS WORKING!
The Hand Pump is installed and the first bucket of water has been filled in Bouassa, the village where we chose to see the first well implemented! And we're really, really happy for what is [...]
Let’s Recap..!
Just a quick note to say things are well on their way! Many of you have already seen the recent pics and videos on Facebook! And many of you are asking “so, is it over?? [...]
It’s starting!
The check that we recently spoke about from a foundation finally arrived last Wednesday! In other words, we can now begin the drilling. We can’t start today because today is the feast of Eid [...]
Just a smile
In Africa, children smile. After the first inquisitive glance, sometimes a little frightened, all you need to do is gently reach out your hand and their faces light up. The smiles of the children are [...]
Bouassa… things are moving forward!!
In a few days we will receive 50% of what has been granted by the Vinci Foundation. This amount will pay the company that will perform the borehole drilling. In other words, we hope that [...]
The Story of Yasmine
Water helps women like Yasmine escape extreme poverty. Yasmine smiles while standing in her small, fenced plot of kale, beets, and onion which is next to her tiny, tin-roofed house… […]
What is involved in a well drilling project?
Glad you asked!!! […]
“What is the news?”
In Burkina Faso, when you meet a person that you have not seen for some time, we say “What is the news?” The answer may be “The news is good,” or “It’s going ok.” The tone has now been set for friends to carry on talking […]
Imagine what it would be like…
The night was long and hot. Too hot to even sleep. In the morning, a bit tired, you need to drag yourself from bed. The sun is still not very high, but the heat is increasing already. You are thirsty. Dreaming of an invigorating shower. […]
Relief vs. Development
What is the difference between relief and development? The way we help those in need often falls into one of two main categories: Relief & Development […]
NEWS, BUT NOT THE NEWS THAT WE LIKE!
Here is a quick update about our work with the drilling project in Bouassa: Thursday we received a letter from a foundation where we submitted a grant application. […]
Meeting the “old man” of Bouassa
He is actually not very old, but he is still an old leader. He was made aware of our arrival. We parked the car under a huge Shea tree with us is Pastor Gustave, we are approaching a small “Apatam” – a straw shelter – underneath is the old man, and two of the dignitaries of the village. […]
Just a good meal
A small group of children wait patiently under the big tree. They have been there for a long time because today is the day of “the meal”. The youth of the Protestant parish that hosts the event watch over the younger children by encouraging them to pick up the trash and plastic bags littering the neighborhood. This is one of the great evils of Africa. Now it’s hot and the shade of the tamarind tree feels good. […]
Breaking news!!!!
We just received a €4,500 grant from one of the foundations where we submitted an application! YEEEHAH! We are super excited about this and grateful to the Conseil Général de la Drôme! That brings us [...]
Aisha’s dream
Women carry an unfair burden when there is no safe water, constant physical danger and strain while fetching water over long distances, coping with chronic water-borne illness, missing school, and spending many days caring for sick family members. When safe water is nearby, we see women prosper. […]
Water Well Project Update
After having kept you all up to date about "our" village, Bouassa, in Burkina Faso, it seems important to tell you where we are at. Well, to be honest with you, we are waiting! [...]
A child’s life in Bouassa
This Sunday afternoon, the sun’s rays are pounding on the desert floor. The sky seems brazen, but no matter, in this season, it’s like that every day and the children would not miss their soccer game, for anything in the world, which takes place in front of the small church built from sun-dried bricks. […]
A small village in the bush….part 3
The dawn breaks, full of promise. A hoarse rooster begins his morning calls, the doves shake themselves to drive away sleep from their feathers and a cuckoo takes off singing to call a female hidden in a nest. The man is cold this morning, he puts a wool cap on his head, a cap that one day had to be white, his thread barren old shirt with the logo “The Lakers” on the front, too big for him, in any case, but enough to keep warm. He […]
A small village in the bush….part 2
You must leave the main road and onto the deformed streets to better feel the heartbeat of the village. Behind the adobe walls, you can hear the pestle that crushes the millet in the mortar bowl dug out of a tree trunk. We must strike hard to get the flour used to prepare the daily porridge. From place to place we hear voices, chatter, and children crying. And then there is the unmistakable sound, in the midst of it all, of water that flows into a container and hand pump that is used. […]
A small village in the bush… part 1
Bouassa or Boassa, depending on where you are, is a small village in the bush. At least it was until not so long ago. But like elsewhere in Africa, the big city is trying to swallow it up. But it remains to be a small village despite the fast approaching city. The red dirt road divides it in half down the middle. When large trucks drive over the bumpy road which is formed by strong and heavy rains, a thick cloud of dust hides the houses until it settles. While tirelessly the small traders who have set up their stands along the road, dust off the fruits and vegetables, pottery or metal parts from the blacksmith. […]
A rare commodity….
The small amounts of water that these women and children gather are often only used for drinking and food preparation, this leaves little hope for basic hygiene that prevents diseases. […]
What if I can’t pay the full cost of one well?
Every donation helps, the need is great, and we rely on the generosity of donors to be able to continue drilling. Donations of any size are very welcome and appreciated. We believe people, not water, [...]
Sunset in Burkina….
The sun had just gone down for the evening, it seemed, when it was time for Assétou to wake up and prepare for the two-mile long trek to the nearest stream. She needed to fetch water for the family before her husband and children awoke, returning by sunrise to begin the rest of the day’s work. […]
WATER KILLS!
Illnesses from unclean water and the absence of basic sanitation KILL more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Children are especially sensitive, as their bodies aren’t strong enough to fight against diarrhea, dysentery and other sickness. […]
How much does a well cost?
It is not because we drill a borehole that a well is installed….. […]
Fetching water… a day in the life….
The day has not yet lifted. There is almost a chill in the air, a dog surprised by the commotion stretches and yawns. A hoarse roaster irritated to have been awakened from his sleep before his time. Some women and children gather at the center of the village. An old donkey is harnessed to a rickety cart where all the available containers are loaded. […]
The story of Andrew
Andrew (André) is 14 years old. He lives in Bouassa and he comes from time to time to the church of the Protestant parish. He is one of those many children who look for help from Pastor Séraphin. André left school long ago and the only thing he remembers from his schooling is how to write his name. André has a disease which actually keeps him from going back to school. […]
What’s involved in drilling and then completing a well?
Once the survey and permitting process is completed, the well drilling team drive a large 4X4 drilling rig over very rough dirt roads to the chosen village, we set up the rig, and begin drilling. […]
What is the process before we can start drilling?
Once we have decided on a particular district, Well Drilling Project in Burkina Faso leaders meet with the provincial government and the local district administration to get permits to drill in the area. […]
Water Crisis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVvlgk8af00
How do we decide which village gets a well?
As much as we would like to go to ANY VILLAGE AND DRILL A WELL, we have a process that helps direct our decisions. […]
Long-term Perspectives!
The Well drilling project in the village of Bouassa is growing! The more we move forward in the development of the project in the poor neighborhood of Bouassa the more we see our long term vision increasing. That might seem obvious, you might say, but it was still necessary that we begin to “see further” in regards to our contribution to the population of the village. […]
Thoughts about the Uprising in Burkina Faso
As you know, the news from around the world has spoken a lot these last days about a sudden revolution that has swept Burkina Faso. Within hours, the country’s president, that had been in office for the last 27 years, found himself forced to resign. Imagine: nearly 60% of the population has never known any other president! […]
The Water Crisis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0-OE3hrWeg
Well Drilling
Villages across Africa do not have ready access to water, and the inhabitants often have to walk many miles just to find water. Even then it may not be clean, and many people are sick and dying as a result. […]
Water Changes Everything!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCHhwxvQqxg
Access to clean water
Access to clean water is the foundation of all development. WITHOUT CLEAN WATER, THE POSSIBILITY OF BREAKING OUT OF THE CYCLE OF POVERTY IS INCREDIBLY SLIM. You won’t be able to grow food, you won’t be able to build housing, you won’t be able to stay healthy, you won’t be able to stay in school and you won’t be able to keep working. […]
Which one would you drink?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpO-ukv7uKw
Poverty starts With a Lack of Clean Water
Why Water Matters When water comes, everything changes… Poverty in Africa starts With a Lack of Clean Water […]
African Water Crisis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40-oiuOfXmE
Help Relieve Hunger and Thirst
Join the effort today Well Drilling Project in Burkina Faso, Africa works with local partners to ensure the right solution is used in the right place. Our goal is to bring clean, sustainable water supplies to within a half mile (1 km) of a village. […]
Water Shortage in Africa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL4wJAOaKhc
Water and Hunger
Improving Sustainability in outlining cities Africa The cost of water in food Water Needed to Produce the food that we take for granted: Glass of milk 200 liters (6,800 oz) Cup of Coffee 140 liters (4,800 oz) Bag of Chips 185 liters (6,300 oz) Slice of Bread 40 liters (1,350 oz) Egg 135 liters (4,600 oz) Apple 70 liters (24,00 oz) Hamburger 2,400 liters !! (81,153 oz!!) […]
Water Crisis in Africa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRTk7aSbyd0
Very Important News!
Recently we decided to not only rely on personal gifts to finance the well drilling project in Bouassa. Not that we do not believe in the generosity of everyone, but more importantly this could take a long time! Our hearts really beat for this village, not far from Ouagadougou, the capital, and we hope to be a small answer to the great needs in this area. […]
Water Problems in Africa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhKnIx7vjZc
Improving People’s Health in Africa
…begins with access to safe water Good health starts with ACCESS to clean water. Did you know??? Half of the world’s hospitalized patients are people suffering from A WATER RELATED DISEASE? […]
Safe Water for Africa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WOMEdqGSrY […]
Well Drilling Project in Burkina Faso, Africa
Without question, this project is NOT JUST about digging a borehole to give the villagers access to clean drinking water. While this is already a huge part of what we are doing! What we would like to accomplish in one year to three years is to build momentum for SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. […]
Why Water?
Every day in rural communities and poor urban centers throughout Africa, hundreds of millions of people suffer from a lack of access to clean, safe water. Children especially carry the burden of walking miles at a time to gather water from streams and ponds – full of water-borne disease that is making them and their families sick. […]
A Good Education
Good Education begins with access to SAFE DRINKING WATER and proper sanitation. Education is a vital for BREAKING THE CYCLE OF POVERTY and despite the fact that we know this, over 1/2 of the world’s schools lack access to safe water and sanitation facilities. […]
Welcome to Bouassa
Bouassa is a small village on the outskirts of Ouagadougou, accessible only by dirt roads. It is in this village, outside the capital of Burkina Faso that Seraphin Guigma is responsible of a small evangelical community, which used to be his father’s, the old Gustave, who now devotes his life to prayer. Bouassa is a very poor village without electricity or running water and many families have to fetch water daily from wells located several miles from their homes, these existing village wells do not satisfy the needs of the local population. […]
SOME STAGGERING WATER FACTS:
SOME STAGGERING WATER FACTS : More than 3.4 million people die each year from water, sanitation, and hygiene-related causes. 2.5 billion people lack access to improved sanitation. Lack of access to clean water [...]