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My name is Jacques, but everyone in Rimkieta calls me “Coach.”  Rimkieta is one of the poorest neighborhoods in Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou.  Burkina is number 183 of the 188 countries in the 2015 Human Development Index.  I’ve been working for FAR since 2011.  I’m the assistant manager of the “training and reinsertion of street children” and the “sports training” projects, in which we currently have 102 and 80 children, respectively, receiving training.

The United Nations’ Development Project just published its annual report on the Human Development Index (HDI). Burkina Faso ranks 185th of the 188 countries in the table, ahead only of Chad, Niger and the Central African Republic. Fourth from last…In 2014 Burkina Faso was the 182nd country of 187 and in 2015, it was number 183 of 188. In three years, we’ve moved from seventh from last to fourth from last. The tragedy isn’t so much being at the end of the list as it is not advancing – falling ever further behind.

We are delighted to inform you that Franck is back at home!  The trial was held, and although Franck was found guilty of the two charges – robbery and attempted robbery – he and his 5 friends were set free thanks to the intervention of the head of the Minors Court, who advocated clemency to the 3 judges on the case.  The Tribunal accepted the petition, but not without a stern warning to the boys that if they appear again in their courts they will not receive the lenient treatment they got this first time.

Good day, esteemed Patrons,On Sunday, Boukary and I went to the MACO (Maisson d’arret et Correction de Ouagadougou – the local jail) to visit Franck. It was an emotionally charged visit.  When he came into the room, he greeted us and sat down between us.  As soon as we asked him how he was, he began to cry in such a way that neither Boukary nor I could hold back the tears.  It was a very sad moment.  But we managed to pull ourselves together and cheer him up.  We calmed him down so we could talk.  Franck assured us that he was alright, that neither the guards nor the other boys in detention had hit him.  He also told us that in the mornings he was able to take CM2 (6th grade) classes and at midday he was allowed to watch television with the other children. 

Last week I found myself caught up in the capture of a thief who had snatched a purse from a girl on a motorbike.  I was in my car, only a few meters from the girl’s bike.  Days later, thinking it over, I’m still surprised at the scene that developed around the...

Inoussa is 10 years old and will stay back this year in CE2 (4th grade of primary school in the Spanish system). Of the almost 500 children in the School Scholarship Program, he is the only one who was left back to whom we will give a second chance this year. His case...