Youth Storytellers in Burkina Faso: Part 2

October 3, 2022

Groundswell International collaborated with our partner organizations, Vecinos Honduras and Association Nourrir Sans Détruire (ANSD), to elevate the voices of local youths in Central America and Western Africa, allowing them to drive positive social change and shape the next generation’s global narrative. 

Our newest batch of videos out of West Africa come to us from three more inspired youths from villages throughout Burkina Faso. Through these videos, these youths share how their community members are transforming their lives daily.

Land Transformation Through Agroecology

Training in agroecology has helped members of the Bilanperga village in Burkina Faso to transform their land- and with it their lives- from barren, stony ground to thriving farmland. Farmers like Habibour Lankiande have learned techniques like zai cultivation and RNA to bolster their plants against drought conditions and to help their soil recover between growing cycles. Despite the labor-intensive work, Habibour says agroecology has improved her life, allowing her family to build financial independence, and has helped to foster a deeper partnership with her husband as they cultivate the land together 

Here, Habibour explains the process of zai cultivation and how it has impacted her life.

Watch the video below or on YouTube: 

Organic Farming and Catch Basins

Farmers throughout Burkina Faso continue to see the positive impact of incorporating agroecology techniques into their work. With training and support from ANSD, market farmer Michel Balima has switched from using chemical fertilizers to organic fertilizers, as well as uses a catch basin to collect and store water for his tomato and corn crops. Through these techniques, Michel is able to cultivate healthier crops, even in times of drought, and with enough abundance to sell. 

As a result of his use of agroecology, Michel has transformed his life and that of his family by gaining food security, financial independence, and a new level of pride: “I’m proud of my work. The money I make on tomatoes and corn lets me pay for my children to go to school. I get to take care of my health and deal with family problems.”

Watch the video below or on YouTube: