Pictured above: a caregiver and her child receive medical exams during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Greetings, Church at Brook Hills! Your support of Compassion’s Survival program in Burkina Faso is especially critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. Burkina Faso is in a state of triple crisis. Alongside the COVID-19 virus, the country is facing widespread flooding and an increase in armed violence. As a result, malnutrition is increasing among children, and millions are being displaced from their homes. In-person programming is currently paused at all centers, however, staff have been working to provide essential supplies and resources to caregivers and their babies while in quarantine. Since April 2020, center staff have delivered more than 436,900 food packs and nearly 255,600 hygiene kits to children and families. Additionally, more than 17,200 medical treatments have been implemented. Please keep Burkina Faso in your prayers as they navigate the affects of the global pandemic.
Survival Statistics in Burkina Faso (January – June 2020)
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- Burkina Faso has provided critical care to mothers and their babies since 2012
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- 93 Compassion-assisted births occured
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- 59 churches currently implement Survival services
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- 1,167 mothers and their babies received Survival support
Survival Activities at BF0113
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- Caregivers come to the center to receive food packages and hygiene kits. They wear masks to protect themselves and others from the spread of the virus.
A Letter from a Caregiver at BF0113
Dear Friends,
I am very happy to write to you in the precious name of Jesus. My name is Noélie and I am twenty-seven years old. I live in a rural community outside of Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso. I am the mother of Nerija. My husband’s name is Abel and he works part time as a watchman on a farm. We sleep in a house built of clay and thanks to the Survival program, we have insecticide-treated mosquito nets. We live in an area free from natural disasters like flooding.
Before our registration in the Survival program, our family situation was very unstable. Our family was eating only one meal a day. This situation made our family very vulnerable. Thanks to God and his rich blessings, we now have access to healthcare, and food supplements, so the issue of food insecurity is no longer a big challenge for us. We have seen an improvement in our living conditions because of the food donations we receive each month. I am well equipped with knowledge thanks to the different lessons that I receive during home visits and group activities at the center. All of these support systems favor good physical, cognitive and socio-emotional development for my daughter.
In summary, I am very grateful to God and to all those who support us. Through your prayers and efforts, we are seeing a reduction in poverty in our community. Please pray for those who are sick because of the COVID-19 disease around the world. Our community has not yet seen a case of this disease, however it has greatly impacted individual and collective activities. Finally, I also ask you to pray for the peace of our country.
Be richly blessed in Jesus,
Noélie
Survival Activities at BF0114
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- A caregiver called a Survival specialist during the pandemic because her child was not eating. After receiving a medical check-up, the Survival program was able to assist the caregiver in getting the medication her daughter needs. Survival staff report that the child is eating regularly now.
Survival Activities at BF0141
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- Each Survival center in Burkina Faso is equipped with a hand washing station. Anyone who enters the center is required to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Survival Activities at BF0353
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- A caregiver goes to the center to have her child’s height and weight measured to ensure he is healthy. She shares that, “I was afraid of the pandemic. Thanks to the information I receive during home visits and activities in the Survival program, I quickly adapted to it. I can now take care of my family. I am very grateful to the Survival program for all the help I have received.”
Survival Activities at BF0401
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- Once the pandemic hit Burkina Faso, this center held an educational session for caregivers on health and hygiene measures that can be utilized to prevent the spread of the virus in their community.
Survival Activities at BF0680
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- A Survival specialist measures the height and weight of a child. Survival specialists regularly monitor children’s height and weight to detect any early signs of malnutrition or growth abnormalities.
Your Investment Gives Hope to Families in Need
Thank you again for your generosity in support of Compassion Survival in Burkina Faso. During this time, precious babies and their families are receiving vital care at the churches you support. You have made it possible for families to experience a tangible expression of God’s love for them. May God bless you richly!