The new Vocational School at the Gampela Centre offers more than just masonry, weaving and sewing to families – building up more capacity for young adults to give their children (now and in the future) what they need to thrive. The school gives people a chance to see God’s love in action, often for the first time.
Challenges here include a recent military coup, and years of domestic terrorism that have left a million+ citizens internally displaced. Dozens of displaced families have shown up at the Gampela Centre looking for food, a fresh start, and hope for their children’s future.
In 2012 Pastor John Tandamba had the vision to develop a school and a church in the impoverished outskirts of the country’s capital city, Ouagadougou. More than 400 students now attend this thriving school up to grade 9. The Gampela Centre also offers pastoral training, a medical clinic, and regular church services through Grace Evangelical Church; and it also houses a pre-school attended by over 300 children, plus the addition of a new vocational school.
In 2012 Pastor John Tandamba had the vision to develop a school and a church in the impoverished outskirts of the country’s capital city, Ouagadougou. More than 400 students now attend this thriving school up to grade 9. The Gampela Centre also offers pastoral training, a medical clinic, and regular church services through Grace Evangelical Church; and it also houses a pre-school attended by over 300 children, plus the addition of a new vocational school.
John encountered a mother, Elenne, and her three children, aged two, four, and seven. They had travelled 250 km by foot over 20 days after terrorists attacked their remote village. She shared that the terrorists killed her husband, and her 14-year-old son fled – she does not know where he is. The mother and her younger children survived only by handouts from strangers along the way.
In March 2020, schools, public transportation, and markets shut down. A 7:00 pm curfew was established. In late April, grade nine students were able to return with safety measures to write essential exams. As of October, we are happy to report that all children have been able to resume classes, while the church was allowed to reopen in July.
Rosalie (“Rosa”) is in grade 7 at the Gampela School. When Rosalie’s parents were married, they traveled to the Ivory Coast in search of a better life. Rosalie and her siblings were all born there. Her father fell into alcohol addiction and became neglectful of the family. When things were not getting better, with pressure from Rosa’s mom, they returned to Burkina Faso.
We are happy to report the expansion of the food program to middle-school students in grades 6 to 9. There is little more rewarding than seeing a hungry belly filled, and I hope the photos here bring warmth to your heart. We continue to need ongoing support for this increased food program and seek monthly program sponsors, also known as Community Builders, to sustain this work.
A young father named Jonas was hired part-time last year to coordinate the lunch-time food program for primary students. As many of the students come to school hungry, the lunch program is important for the childrens’ nutrition and capacity to learn. Recently, given the need, the food program has been expanded to those in grades 6 to 9 as well. Support is needed to keep this food programs running for the students. Jonas has also been able to perform BMI assessments on the students to identify malnourishment concerns so that the identified children may be given the additional attention they …
For most of us, hunger is solved in a few moments by reaching for a snack or meal. For Maurice* in Burkina Faso, that rumble was a constant pain that consumed every waking moment of his life.