Adama, second from the right, on the day of his thesis defense

Adama walks with purpose, radiating confidence in every step. His bright, smiling eyes reflect deep gratitude. But a closer look reveals something more: a flicker of fear of life’s fragility and the quiet sorrow of someone who’s come far yet lived with the constant uncertainty of whether he and his siblings would eat each day, and the knowledge that his parents could not afford even basic medical care in case of illness. Though he carries himself with head held high, his heart bears invisible scars, etched by a life of sacrifice that’s felt more than seen.

He is the third of six siblings, including Rahim, who has a mental disability. Their father worked 16 years at the STMB bus company until it went bankrupt in 2006, leaving him jobless. Since then, he’s taken to the streets, picking up sporadic work as a bricklayer and struggling daily to scrape together enough flour to feed his six children. Adama remembers tagging along with his father after school as a child, helping to hunt for jobs and learning the trade to pitch in at home. His mother pours herself entirely into caring for Rahim, who needs round-the-clock attention and cannot be left alone.

The house Adama grew up in—still home to his parents and three of his siblings—is a single-room dwelling, like the vast majority of Rimkieta’s living spaces. The family shares one bicycle for all their daily movements around a neighborhood without any public transit.

Example of a “chambre-salon” house in Rimkieta

For many families in such a situation, sending kids to live with “better-off” relatives is a tempting option. For Adama’s family, however, that choice was a “luxury” beyond reach.

When Adama finished ninth grade, crippling financial struggles forced him to drop out. But he refused to give up on his education, connecting with FAR to secure a lifeline to get back to school. The scholarship slots for that year were already filled, but his stellar grades and drive won us over, and we made room for him with a “plus one” exception.

Over the three years that the FAR grant supported his studies, his performance and attitude paved the way to earning another scholarship – to university. Drawn to law and determined to help overhaul Burkina Faso’s justice system, Adama pursued a legal career. In 2023, the panel before which he presented his master’s thesis, “Shareholder Agreements in OHADA Law” awarded him the second-highest grade in his class, rating the thesis “very good.”

Campaign to create ID cards and Birth Certificates, an initiative by Adama

he didn’t stop there. After a year at a law firm, Adama applied to the School of Magistracy in 2024 and got in—beating out 1,400 other candidates for one of 100 spots. Now, he’s training to become a prosecutor or judge, a standout achievement that reflects his grit and commitment.

To cover the family’s 10% share of his college scholarship, Adama returned to bricklaying, working long hours. By his third year of university, he also launched a free legal clinic for Rimkieta residents, a service he still runs every Saturday morning.

Adama has been a driving force in FAR’s push, alongside the National Police Directorate, to secure National Identity Documents and birth certificates. Thanks to that effort, 215 people went from being undocumented to officially recognized in their own country. The campaign is set to run again this year, and he’s all in.

In conclusion, I share with you below Adama’s own words of gratitude:

Entrance to the National School of Administration and Magistracy of Burkina Faso

 “I’m writing to you with a heart full of thanks for the incredible support you’ve given me by funding my college education. FAR’s generosity, coupled with my own hard work, turned a dream I thought was out of reach into reality. Every day I prepare to become a magistrate reminds me of the chance FAR gave me—I’m so grateful. This education isn’t just about a career; it’s teaching me about effort, persistence, and giving back. I want to inspire other young people in my community and, someday, help people like me who dream of the opportunity to pursue  a better life. Thank you again for your support and for believing in me.”