Burkina Faso: The Association for Solidarity and Youth Development plans to support 1,000 pupils and students for the start of the 2024-2025 academic year

The Association pour la solidarité et le développement des jeunes has officially launched its scholarship and internship search program for the year 2024-2025. The launch ceremony took place this Saturday, September 14, 2024, in Ouagadougou. The association intends to assist 1,000 young disadvantaged pupils and students.

The interview determines the level of support required for each beneficiary. "We have three types of support. We have what we call excellence scholarships. Every educational structure, universities and grandes écoles, promotes excellence. When we have excellent children who are vulnerable, these universities and grandes écoles grant them scholarships. The second type of support is sponsorship. After assessing the files, we go to people who decide to support certain children. The third type of support is for institutes to take charge of certain pupils and students. This is to enable vulnerable pupils and students to pursue their studies with peace of mind. So these are direct and indirect grants in relation to the support provided by certain partners," explained Ernest Benjamin Lankoandé, President of the Association pour la solidarité et le développement des jeunes.

He thanked the partners for their support over the 24 years the association has been in existence. "We have been able to succeed thanks to you. Today, we have over 16,000 scholarship holders. Most of those we've been lucky enough to support are in good jobs today. There are directors, chargés de missions, general secretaries, and even a former minister. This comforts us and gives us the courage to continue what we're doing. And that's thanks to you, our partners. We can only ask you to continue to support us", pleaded Mr. Lankoandé.

Wahabou Ganamé, a student on his 3rd degree in physics, took part in the interview. He is internally displaced. His parents had to flee their locality. Given the difficult situation he and his parents find themselves in, he hopes to obtain a scholarship from the association to continue his studies. "I have the desire and passion to continue my studies in physics. I really need help to continue my studies. Because right now, it's very difficult financially for me and my family", said the student.

During the ceremony, driving license vouchers were handed out to churches.

Source: lefaso.net/