Burkina Faso, Africa, is one of the poorest countries in the world. The Sahel is encroaching, the government is weak and the civil war has now created 2 million (internal) refugees. We have been in touch with a small-scale project supporting about 10 children for a few years now. Many of these children work in the (illegal) gold mines.
Board member Anno Huidekoper interviewed a number of children, and parents, participating in this project in February 2025. He also interviewed the headmaster of local primary school.
It paints a disconcerting picture. Parents advise their school-age children not to work in the illegal gold mines. At the same time, the money earned there is very much needed to buy food. Absenteeism among students working in the mines is high. In addition, they do poor homework and the chances of not finishing school are high.
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"We have been driven out by the terrorists.
My grandmother takes care of me, my parents live near the mines. I also work there; I sell water to the miners."
"Our mother is mentally ill and our father is already old.
We go to the gold mines to sell water. With that money, we can pay for school books."
"We were chased away by the terrorists.
I am a half-orphan, my mother takes care of me. I sell all kinds of gadgets to earn some money. I don't work in the mines but I come there sometimes; my friends work there."
"My mother is mentally ill and my father left our home a long time ago.
I like school and I also like working at home.
When I get my primary school diploma, I want to learn a trade."