Social Issue

Zongo is one of the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou. At the same time, the African country is one of the poorest on the planet; according to the Human Development Index (HDI), in 2016 Burkina Faso was the fourth least developed country in the world (ranked 185 out of 188). The situation there is of extreme emergency. Climate change has caused the desert area of the Sahel to increase by 10% in the last 100 years, and many people living in villages in the north of the country have to go to the capital in search of an opportunity. It should also be borne in mind that it is in the northern regions where terrorist groups such as Boko Haram have the highest incidence.

Our Response

In 2011, the Friends of Rimkieta Foundation rehabilitated a well to supply water to the Zongo neighbourhood, a “non-parceled” neighbourhood that lacks basic infrastructure. In 2013, the Netri’s Garden in Zongo project was carried out to improve the life of the neighbourhood in general, and that of the women in the area to whom household responsibilities fall upon. With Netri’s donation, the garden’s well has been mechanised, a new reservoir connected to the old one has been built, four solar panels and a mechanical water extraction pump have been installed, and a canalisation has been carried out. Similarly, the donation has been used to train women in the use, care, and maintenance of the installation of solar panels.

Expected Social Impact

The direct beneficiaries of the project are the 25 women who take care of the garden. This help has a direct impact on their families, which usually have an average of seven members. Thus, it can be estimated that some 175 people benefit from the donation.