Girls in training

Weaver

A trade that ensures survival for any woman in Burkina Faso, even in the remotest country areas. Here we weave with home-grown and naturally dyed cotton. Balboné Aishietta is happy because she has finally found a trade she likes. It was not easy with her. She is very determined and will not always toe the line. But we are still full of hope that she too will make her way in life.

Soap maker

Sankara Samiratou had a particularly hard time. Her mother is mentally ill and when her father died there was no one to look after her. That is why it is all the more important for her to feel safe as part of the girls’ community. Here in Africa making soap guarantees an income for life. The basic ingredient is shea-butter, one of the few natural resources of Burkina Faso.

Waitress

Sawadogo Rosalie is 14 years old and an orphan. She really makes an effort and works hard at school, although only two years ago she had never seen the inside of a classroom. In our restaurant we serve African and European cuisine to the highest standards of hygiene from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Salesgirl

„If I sell this tin of milk, how much money do I have to put aside to buy another one?“ And did I give the right change? And if later on I make something myself and sell it, how do I open an account at the savings bank? Tapsoba Nina learns to handle money carefully in our AMPO shop. She is 15 and was abandoned as a child. Her mother died and her father never looked after her. Next year she can attend evening classes. She is looking forward to it already.

Cook

Adama Diallou is 9 years old and has been living with us for a year together with her twin sister, Awa. Her mother is a beggar and the children slept for years by the side of the road. They were both ill when they came to AMPO. Today they go to school and have turned out to be two cheery girls, always hopping and singing. Adama is just being taught to make soup by the lovely Mama Elisabeth who lives with the girls and is there for them night and day.

Clinical assistant

Dembega Aminata and Tiemtoré Rasmata are both orphans and belong to the first group of girls who were taken in by AMPO nearly six years ago. Meanwhile they have developed into smart young ladies working as assistants in our clinic. If they should discover that their dream job were to be a nurse or a doctor and if their school grades are sufficient, AMPO will pay for their training. One day they will come back to treat their own AMPO brothers and sisters in our clinic. That is our great hope for the future.