Ouagadougou: In Dédougou, the Notre Dame de la Visitation Center stands as a bastion of hope for young internally displaced girls, thanks to the support of the Ministry in charge of Solidarity. Created two decades ago by the Yerosin association, meaning ‘better tomorrow’ in the Bwamu language, the center continues to shine as a beacon of possibilities and rebirth for those who have been marginalized by circumstances.
Among the learners at the center, we find Antamou KASSAMA and ElisabethHIVO, two (02) young girls placed by the Ministry in charge of Solidarity who see a promising future in this profession. Arriving at the center in October 2023, Antamou (12 years old) divides her daily life between learning to sew and the challenge of overcoming her writing difficulties. But she doesn’t lose hope. His dream ? Open your own workshop and become a great seamstress. Like her, many other girls find refuge and perspective for the future within this center.
Mrs. DJIBLA Marie-Thérèse KY, training manager, underlines
the importance of the welcome and training offered by the center. Young girls, often mothers or pregnant, receive diverse instruction covering cutting, sewing, hairdressing, dyeing and weaving, and much more.
This vast and inclusive program is the result of close and fruitful collaboration with the Ministry of Solidarity.
Despite this synergy of efforts, the center faces notable challenges, mainly linked to its limited material resources and a growing number of learners, approaching 280, well beyond its initial capacity.
Limitations in terms of sewing machines, chairs, benches, and the cost of rent weigh heavily on the daily life of the center. Added to this is the difficulty of ensuring adequate nutritional care for all learners.
Faced with these obstacles, Ms. DJIBLA is calling for increased support from the Ministry in charge of Solidarity, in order to allow the center to continue to offer a better tomorrow to these young girls. Despite everything, the center can pride itself on its successes, with man
y former learners having managed to establish themselves on their own, in Dédougou as in other towns in the country, testifying to the strength and impact of the teaching received.
The Notre Dame de la Visitation Center is an ode to resilience, hope, and solidarity, perfectly illustrating how, with the support of institutions such as the Ministry of Solidarity, it is possible to build a promising future. for those who have been left behind.
Source: Burkina Information Agency