Current Activities
This month's diary from AMPO
Two years after the birth of her first son, Fatoumata gave birth to twins three weeks ago. Fatoumata’s husband lost his job on account of the Covid-19 pandemic and she herself is a housewife, which in this country means the same as unemployed. The couple was confronted by difficulties on two counts, Fatouma sufferered from untreated anaemia after the birth of the twins and, because her husband had lost his job, they were unable to afford care and treatment.
The couple decided to give up the newborn babies for adoption. Social services referred them to AMPO P.P.Filles who in turn referred them to the AMPO Clinic. The team did their utmost to provide medical care, including dietary therapy, to Fatoumata and her twins
Today Fatoumata and her twins are thriving and the couple is grateful to AMPO for their invaluable support. For its part, the AMPO Clinic would like to thank its financial partners in Europe because through them the Clinic is able to save lives every day.
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AMPO Orphanage for boys – admission procedure
The children at the AMPO Orphanages stay with us until they come of age. The age of majority in Burkina Faso is also 18. After leaving the orphanages the young people move into the training programme. Depending on their level, they can be enrolled in a vocational college or start an apprenticeship in a workshop in their chosen profession. There are also opportunities to attend a public or private university or a further education institution.
The number of children admitted to the orphanages depends on the number of young people leaving. We receive applications from family members throughout the year, which must include the following documentation:
- application in writing
- death certificate of one or both parents (orphan or half-orphan)
- medical certificate
- copy of identity card of the applicant (legal guardian, parent, private or state institution...)
- school report
- birth certificate.
The selection procedure starts with consideration of the age and the plight of the child. Applicants are invited to AMPO for an interview. This is followed by a home visit which is highly important because it is the only means to ensure that the information provided by the applicant is genuine.
The second phase of selection is based on social status (orphan, half-orphan, or a child in social need whose living conditions are worse than those of an orphan). Children who are not admitted still receive support in the form of payment of school fees.
Those who have successfully completed the selection procedure come to AMPO in September, where they are offered all-round care until they reach the age of majority.
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“My name is Dadare Sia. I’m the TT students‘ representative and I’d like to thank all those involved for their really good initiative. The staff at the TondTenga Agricultural College explained to us that, on completing the course, we can set up cooperatives and work together. Starting with animal farming, each of us had to bring along a hen from our village. We brought our hens together and each cooperative was given a rooster together with feed and hygiene products to breed chickens. The team helped us to build a hen coop using locally available products. The entire process was good practice for the future. As soon as we get back to our villages we can start raising poultry for our families and as part of the cooperative. The idea benefits not only us but our family as well, as we share what we have learned and encourage others to adopt new methods.
We take it in turns to feed and look after the hens. Altogether there were between 29 to 53 hens.
We sold some of the hens to raise money to set up our cooperatives and to open a bank account in Tiébélé.
Personally, and on behalf of all the young people here, I would like to thank AMPO, the Dr. Elvire Engel Foundation, and BTM for their efforts. We hope that this initiative will continue for future generations of apprentices.”
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Freedom of religion is a very important issue for us and we make sure that the children are able to perform their religious duties. As part of the upbringing they receive at AMPO, we create a link between personal development and spiritual education. In this way the Muslim children have an imam to instruct them in the Muslim faith and the Christian children have a vicar to guide them in the Christian faith.
After three or four years‘ catechesis, one girl was baptised this year and three others confirmed. These sacraments (First Communion or Confirmation) are part of the fundaments of Christian faith. The ceremony takes place in Saint Camille Parish.
This is followed by a celebration organised in honour of those who are “born again and filled with the Holy Spirit” with singing, eating, drinking and dancing.
The orphanages allow the newly baptised child to return home to celebrate with their family. Everyone, adults and children alike, dress up in their Sunday best for the occasion.
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We were invited to attend a farewell ceremony at St. Camille Training School. The school offers training facilities in various subjects, including dress-making and hairdressing. Four young women from MIA ALMA just completed their training in dress-making and hairdressing and now they are well equipped to face the challenges of the working world.
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The Cinémobile team carried out its activities this year in Ourgou Manega and now it’s time to move on to new surroundings. The project team met up with some of the villagers to discuss topics they had previously addressed and offer further information. Some of these meetings were held at the homes of the beneficiaries, or at their place of work (in the fields), or sometimes even at the side of the road. It also provided an opportunity to say goodbye to those for whom Cinémobile was always on hand.
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