Girl with a sewing machine
The AMPO-MIA home was opened on 14.06.03 and since then it has been dealing exclusively with the problems of female minors in need. These problems involve trafficking (forced marriage), slavery (child labour), abuse (rape, including incest), handicaps, homelessness, unwanted pregnancies and banishment (on account of HIV).
The MIA home is directed by Nana Souleyman with love and commitment, accompanied by another eight members of staff to look after the girls.
Meanwhile the fame of the project has spread beyond Ouagadougou and consequently a second home for girls, AMPO-Alma, was opened on 31.01.08.
Most girls learn about MIA because of its good reputation, in addition to which Mr Nana goes out at night into problem areas of Ouagadougou (brothels) and tries to find out if there are girls in particular difficulties. Some girls are referred from „Action sociale“ and the RSDP/F, similar to social services. After applying for care, an interview is arranged with the staff to classify the case as „internal“ or „external“.
This classification does not reflect on the type of help offered, it is simply a question of organising sleeping arrangements.
The activities of MIA include accommodation, social and medical care, training, communication of social skills, sexual health awareness, care and initial upbringing of babies and toddlers, some of whom are severely traumatised, and the reintegration of the girls into society.
Social care includes support with food and clothing and small-scale financing, often in conjunction with opening a bank account. Medical care ranges from hospital treatment to specialist consultation, purchasing medicines and carefully selected application of traditional healing methods. Girls infected with HIV are treated confidentially to avoid stigmatisation.
The training sector basically includes tailoring, pottery and cooking in our own workshops, but there are also external training opportunities, e.g. as a hotel chef.
An important aspect of our training approach is the awareness meetings on social topics and family planning. Each girl is also taught reading, writing and arithmetic.
Mr Nana and his staff attach particular importance to after-care once the girls have left. This is done in the form of home visits and visits to workshops to make it easier for the girls to find their way back into society. This involves all kinds of help, constructive criticism and reintegration into family life.
There is no fixed time-scale for after-care and none of the girls is simply left to fend for herself.
AMPO-MIA
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