Burkina Faso suffers from a dry, sub-Saharan climate with the only possibility of rainfall from mid-June to mid-September. Even then, they often experience droughts and because 90% of the population are subsistence farmers, the frequent droughts inevitably lead to wide-spread famine.

When these times of famine hit, food is scarce and the price of food that is available rises.  Sometimes families simply need help with a sack of grain to get them through until the next harvest.

We’ve been blessed to be able to help so many during these difficult times, even providing grain to the thousands of refugees who were forced to abandon their homes in Mali. Although the refugees were safe here, the already impoverished country could not sustain them.

Thanks to our generous donors, we can even provide food assistance not only to orphans and widows, but to the local prison, orphanages, churches and several schools.

Malaria is said to be the number one killer, followed by AIDS, Typhoid Fever, Meningitis and the all-too-common Malnutrition.

Every day, young and old alike, come to us for medical help.  We’ve been blessed to be able to help Salam and Alimata with leprosy treatments; Souleyman, whose leg was severely deformed, with reconstructive surgery; Assami with plastic surgery, and many more. However at the same time, the need is so great and we have lost so many to any number of diseases, forcing us to learn to trust the Lord to guide us in when and how to help.

Our first priority is always the children in our schools and in our Sponsorship Program, for whom we share the responsibility of the child’s well-being with their primary caregiver.  Should one of these children have a medical need, we provide whatever is necessary for them to get the proper medical treatment.  These needs range from as little as $2 for prescriptions, up to $200 for surgeries.

Water is not something to be taken for granted.  Imagine walking a half mile each morning to fill a bucket with water and carry it home, balanced on top of your head, just to have drinking water, clean dishes, and water for bathing.

As BFO identifies villages to partner with, not only are we building schools, educating and training their young children and providing food and medical assistance to those in need; but we contract with drilling companies to find clean water in the villages as well.  The village of G. was the first to receive a well.  After several attempts at drilling in the village of W., we were successful there as well!

As BFO develops partnerships in more villages, drilling attempts will continue.