The Dominican Sisters Supporting Burkina Faso’s Displaced Families
Sister Nicole Kabore offers a glimpse into the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Burkina Faso – where approximately 2 million people have been internally displaced according to the UNHCR. Amid the turmoil of terrorism and forced displacement, the Dominican Sisters of Charity of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin stand as a beacon of hope, carrying out the mission of their foundress, Blessed Marie Poussepin. Focusing on the village of Linoguin and neighboring communities like Boassa, Sister Nicole details how the sisters have opened their doors to displaced families – providing education for out-of-school children, spiritual formation, and practical vocational skills for women, such as sewing and local food processing.
Our country is tested by terrorism, an imposed war that drives affected populations to migrate toward safer areas. This is the case for Linoguin, a village where one of our communities is located. The sisters in this locality, as required by our Charism – that of Blessed Marie POUSSEPIN – have known how to open not only their hearts but also their door to those who knock. The children of displaced persons were enrolled in the schools of their respective localities, but not all of them, as several did not have the chance, and those who were enrolled dropped out. The situation forced the suspension of classes, but once restored, they will return and resume school as well as other activities. While waiting for this return with hope, the urgent need to find a solution to allow these children to continue their studies became imperative. Thus, without hesitating, the sisters immediately began teaching both those who were already going to school and those who had never been. They receive them two days a week, namely Mondays and Thursdays, for classes. Interested, they are dedicated and take joy in learning and playing together, acquiring new knowledge through literacy, songs, games, and prayer. They are delighted, as are their parents.
The sisters also take care of the spiritual formation of catechists, as well as training women in sewing. These women learn handiwork that will serve them in their lives. They will be able to make a small income for their food budget, dress themselves by sewing their own clothes and those of their children and husbands, not to mention becoming a reference point in terms of sewing in the locality where they are established.
As for processing local products, we see that they apply their know-how and rejoice in it. Condiments like “soumbala,” made from the seeds of “néré” (a tree whose fruits hold several virtues), and “shea” butter (from the shea tree) transformed into ointment and filtered for consumption… are all products they no longer need to buy, which reduces expenses and allows them to consume organic products.
We also find other groups of women and young girls from displaced families in other localities such as Boassa, where the sisters there also dedicate themselves to their training, integration, and development by teaching them multiple manual crafts. In the Boassa household center, these women and girls excel to the point of receiving year-end bonuses for their selflessness at work.
In short, internally displaced persons can be found anywhere; they only need to find a place of welcome, and actions are taken in their favor.
We give thanks to God for the improvement of the security situation and hold onto the hope of seeing all those affected return to their home localities.
