On December 02, 2025, the official graduation ceremony for the 2nd cohort of beneficiaries of the Education and Training Center for Internally Displaced Youth (EFJDI) was held in the town of Kaya. Set up by Solidar Suisse in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education, Literacy and Promotion of National Languages (MENAPLN) and in partnership with the National Secretariat of Catholic Education (SNEC), this center gives new hope to internally displaced young people in the town of Kaya through a one-year vocational training course divided into 2 stages:
- A first phase of theoretical courses lasting 06 months on various modules: literacy in the Mooré language, oral French, financial education, entrepreneurship, peace education, interculturality and non-violent communication. In addition, to enable them to diversify their income-generating activities, the learners benefited from practical training in saponification and the manufacture of bead-based objects (baskets, handbags, key-rings, jewelry, etc.).
- The 2nd practical phase consists of placing learners with master craftsmen for a period of 06 months to learn the trade of their choice, i.e. hairdressing, tailoring, weaving or plumbing.
The official launch ceremony was an opportunity to hand over the installation kits to the learners and discover their achievements at the end of a year’s training, in the presence of various stakeholders: the Regional Director of Youth and Employment, Ms. Nida Blanche HIEN/TRAORE, the National Secretary of Catholic Education (SNEC), Mr. l’Abbé Hyacinthe OUEDRAOGO, the Diocesan Director of Catholic Education (DDEC) for Kaya, Mr. l’Abbé Mathieu OUEDRAOGO, the head of the Kaya training center, Ms. Nida Blanche HIEN/TRAORE. l’Abbé Hyacinthe OUEDRAOGO, the Diocesan Director of Catholic Education (DDEC) of Kaya, Mr. l’Abbé Mathieu OUEDRAOGO, the Head of the Basic Education District (CCEB), Mr. Isidore DIANDA, the Head of the Multilingual Education Project of Solidar Suisse Burkina Faso, Mr. Pascal ZAONGO, the Project Manager of the Multilingual Education Project of Solidar Suisse Burkina Faso, Mr. Pascal ZAONGO, the Project Manager of the Multilingual Education Project of Solidar Suisse Burkina Faso, Mr. Nida Blanche HIEN/TRAORE. Pascal ZAONGO, Solidar Suisse Burkina Faso’s Technical Advisor for Education, Mr. Yamba Louis NIKIEMA, as well as the beneficiaries’ parents, language trainers and master craftsmen.
Family photo of officials with some beneficiaries
On this occasion, Pascal ZAONGO, Head of the Multilingual Education project of Solidar Suisse Burkina Faso, expressed his satisfaction at the release of the 2nd cohort from the EFJDI center. He urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the equipment received to ensure their financial autonomy and to be role models in their training profession.
The National Secretary of Catholic Education (SNEC), Abbé Hyacinthe OUEDRAOGO, invited parents to support their children to succeed in their chosen profession.
A few testimonials from beneficiaries
OUEDRAOGO Mamounata, weaving-dyeing training beneficiary “I’m delighted to receive my weaving-dyeing kit. I’ve been an internally displaced person in the town of Kaya for 03 years, and I had to drop out of school in the second year for lack of funds. Today, I’m coming out with various professional skills that will enable me to earn an income. I’m proud to wear an outfit I’ve woven myself. I opted for weaving-dyeing because I’ve noticed a growing interest among the population in woven pages, so I’ll be able to support myself through this craft.”
DRABO Bienvenu is originally from the town of Diébougou, where insecurity forced him to abandon his studies in 4th grade to join his older sister in the town of Kaya. After a year’s training at the EFJDI center, he left with skills and a kit of cutting and sewing materials that will enable him to enter the professional world. From his point of view, this training is a godsend for improving his living conditions. “I’m happy to receive the installation kit, which will enable me to properly practice my chosen profession, which is cutting and sewing. The knowledge I’ve acquired about entrepreneurship will enable me to better manage the business I plan to set up. Through this trade, I want to provide for myself and support my parents.”
BELEM Zalissa, a beneficiary of the cut and sew training program, is now proud to wear a self-made outfit, jewelry and handbag. “When I arrived at the center, I had no professional knowledge. But today, I leave the center with multiple skills, I know how to produce soap, detergent powder, make objects from pearls and I have a complete kit for practicing cut and sew, which I have chosen as my professional trade. These multiple skills are a source of income to support myself.”
The beneficiaries’ parents’ representative praised the center’s support. From his point of view, the parents are delighted to see their children leave the center with various professional skills and kits to facilitate their professional integration.
An overview of the materials provided (hairdressing, cutting and sewing, weaving and dyeing)
As a reminder, this activity is part of the “Inclusive access to quality formal and non-formal bi-plurilingual education, in an environment favoring social cohesion” project, supported by the Swiss Cooperation and the Fédération Génévoise de Coopération.
