Bobo-Dioulasso Program Equips Youth for Resilience and Professional Development

BOBO-DIOULASSO — On Thursday, May 2, 2024, twenty young individuals in Bobo-Dioulasso received essential equipment to kickstart their careers in various crafts as part of the ‘Resilience through Crafts’ initiative under the ‘Inclusive Governance for Resilience’ (IGR) project. The project, which focuses on building resilience among youth against terrorism, is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and has been instrumental in training these young people, including both residents and internally displaced persons.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the head of the IGR project, the equipment handed over includes sewing, dyeing, and weaving machines, with a total value of approximately 25 million CFA francs. The training provided was comprehensive, covering technical skills in entrepreneurship, marketing, and photography, alongside practical skills in sewing, weaving, and dyeing. Ouédraogo emphasized the program’s aim to deter youth from joining violent extremist groups by fostering economic independence and community integration.

The official ceremony, overseen by Laurent Koutou Kontogom, President of the special municipal delegation of Bobo-Dioulasso, celebrated the contribution of USAID to the project. Kontogom highlighted the initiative’s role in facilitating the transition of these young individuals to autonomous professional life, expressing hope for their prosperous future contributions to society. Cédric Bayala, representing the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude towards USAID, noting the significant impact of the training on their professional and personal development.