education

Improving Nutrition in the Village of Nebrou

fbf — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 00:08:00 +0000

Improving Nutrition in the Village of Nebrou fbf Mon, 02/01/2016 - 19:08

2016, Nebrou, Peace Corps, education, food, health, moringa

Village leaders discussed the issue of malnutrition in Nebrou in the Center-West Province with a Peace Corps volunteer. The group embarked upon a plan to address this problem by committing themselves to building two gardens, one at the primary school and another at the local health center (COGES). Other goals are to educate the local population about better nutrition and local farmers about modern cultivation techniques. Produce harvested at the school’s garden provides fresh vegetables for student lunches. The garden at the local health center is an important source of both vegetables and moringa ingredients to families in the village. Note, the moringa tree, which grows well in savanna regions of West Africa, provides a rich and inexpensive source of vitamins, minerals, and protein. Food prepared with moringa leaves and oil is an important, and underutilized, tool in the struggle against malnutrition.

Library Resource Center

fbf — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 14:48:40 +0000

Library Resource Center fbf Mon, 04/13/2015 - 10:48

2015, IT, Peace Corps, Yelbouga, education

Burkina Faso’s educational system rarely, if ever, exposes students to computers or teaches them IT skills at the village level. In 2015, a PCV posted a project on the Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) platform to address this vacuum in the village of Yelbouga. His proposal, developed in collaboration with the principal of Yelbouga’s middle school, created a library resource center. FBF’s support enabled the school to purchase three computers, a printer, and a solar-powered electricity system needed to power the electronic equipment and lighting for the students to use for after-hour studying in the library.

Community Libraries in Rural Villages

fbf — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 14:43:05 +0000

Community Libraries in Rural Villages fbf Mon, 04/13/2015 - 10:43

2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, Béléhédé, Niankorodougou, Peace Corps, Pobe-Mengao, Sebba, education

Public libraries can make a huge difference in the lives of villagers, both young and old. School-age and school-attending youth benefit the most from their use of community libraries because the access to books enables them to deepen their education on their own. In recent years, FBF has teamed up with the Friends of African Village Libraries and Peace Corps volunteers (to build and equip community libraries in the villages of Niankorodougou (2008). Pobe-Mengao (2009), and Béléhédé (2011). Last year (2015), FBF assisted a returned Peace Corps volunteer (RPCV) and his Burkinabe wife to build a FAVL library in her home village of Sebba.

Literacy Through the Arts

fbf — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 14:51:49 +0000

Literacy Through the Arts fbf Sat, 04/13/2013 - 10:51

2013, Lanfiera, Peace Corps, education, primary school

At the request of local leaders in Lanfiera, a PCV submitted a proposal to FBF to purchase books for the three primary schools in the village. In 2013, FBF provided funding to buy books for these schools and also funded a teachers’ workshop. The workshop provided a venue for teachers to exchange ideas about how to become more effective instructors in the classroom.

Introducing Computers and the Internet to Students in Koudougou

fbf — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 14:46:17 +0000

Introducing Computers and the Internet to Students in Koudougou fbf Sat, 04/13/2013 - 10:46

2012, 2013, IT, Koudougou, Peace Corps, education, secondary school

In 2012 and 2013, the Lycée Provincial à Koudougou (LPK) developed an innovative computer-science curriculum, thanks to the leadership of I.T. faculty members a Peace Corps volunteer (PCV) assigned to the high school as well as some financial and technical support from the Friends of Burkina Faso. During this two-year period, over 250 students acquired basic computer skills and were exposed to the Internet for the first time. Enterprising students became teaching assistants. Others learned how to repair computers and/or helped manage the lab. Earnings from sales of refurbished computers to residents of Koudougou generated revenue, enabling the I.T. program to purchase needed equipment.

Electricity Reaches High School in Garango

fbf — Sat, 13 Apr 2002 14:56:02 +0000

Electricity Reaches High School in Garango fbf Sat, 04/13/2002 - 10:56

2002, Garango, Peace Corps, education, secondary school

The first project funded from FBF’s newly created “Projects account” in 2002 financed the costs of hardware needed to connect electrical lines at the edge of Garango to the local high school. Breaker boxes, electrical cables, and needed fixtures enabled electricity to reach every room in the school. The provision of electricity enhanced teaching and learning. Lighting became available for faculty tutoring of students, adult education classes, and extra-curricular activity in the evening.