In the sun-drenched landscapes of Burkina Faso, 17-year-old Issouf once thrived in a world defined by simplicity and dreams. He lived in the village of Boala with his parents, siblings, and extended family.

His days were a blend of school and chores, a routine he embraced with enthusiasm. School was a haven of learning and laughter, where Issouf nurtured a dream of becoming a Life and Earth Sciences teacher.

Conflict and displacement

But his reality was shattered one fateful day. Armed men stormed Boala, turning the market into a battlefield. With sorrow in his voice Issouf recalls the attack: “That day was particularly dark; terrible and strange to see the armed men who had come to surprise us, firing weapons in the air and at people.”

He continued: “The incident started at the market, and then these HANIs entered the village, killing and injuring people. In this massacre I lost my best friend and classmate Pamoussa.” The violence also forced Issouf and his family to flee their home.

Issouf was devastated: “In my bitterness I told myself that my dream would no longer be possible. I left my home with tears in my eyes.”

A stolen education

His family embarked on a grueling five-day journey, escaping to Malgretenga, a place foreign and fraught with hostility.

The trauma of fleeing, compounded by the uncertainty of their new surroundings, left Issouf grappling with a profound loss. He explains: “My feet hurt for more than two weeks. It was very difficult for me to live in a foreign village, I was afraid of being treated badly.”

His education—once a beacon of hope—was abruptly stolen from him. The absence of a school in their new village seemed to extinguish his dreams and cast a shadow over his future.

A safe learning space

However, a glimmer of hope emerged: “I was overjoyed when I learned that I would be re-enrolled in a school, thanks to ChildFund Alliance member Children Believe.” Issouf recalls. He was given access to a safe learning environment, a lifeline amidst the chaos.

The transition was challenging, yet this new space, equipped with new learning tools and compassionate teachers, began to restore his sense of normalcy.

“When I started to get used to my classmates, I tried to forget the past and focus on passing my exam. I felt alive again. I was learning to trust again.” The presence of dedicated teachers who provided moral support and tailored their teaching to the needs of displaced students rekindled his hope. For the first time since the conflict, Issouf felt alive again, focusing on his studies and rediscovering his passion for learning.

Issouf’s harrowing ordeal is a powerful wake-up call to the devastating, overlooked crisis in Burkina Faso. It highlights a critical humanitarian concern: how conflict not only brings chaos and violence to families, but can prevent children from accessing education,

Issouf’s choices were taken from him, his dreams interrupted by violence and displacement. Yet, through the provision of a safe learning environment and the support of caring educators, he can rebuild his future.

Learn more about Children Believe and their work to help children like Issouf.