Bam: Returning from a mission to assess resettled villages in Bam province, the Minister of Family and Solidarity, Lieutenant-Colonel P©lagie Kabor©, made an unexpected stop late Monday afternoon to meet with two internally displaced families who had returned to cultivate their land. This compassionate gesture deeply moved the families.
According to Burkina Information Agency, upon seeing resettled farmers working in their fields, the minister asked her delegation to stop and talk with them about their living conditions, their difficulties, and their expectations. The delegation's first visit took them to Ms. Habibou (not her real name). Surprised to see the minister on her land, the farmer was speechless for a few moments before regaining her composure. During a sincere and warm exchange, she outlined her main concerns, particularly supporting agricultural activities and assisting women in developing income-generating activities.
Visibly delighted with the visit, she then expressed her deep gratitude to the authorities. 'We thank the Defense and Security Forces, the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland, the President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traor©, and his government. I am particularly touched that the Minister came to my field to encourage us. It is a great honor for us. May God protect and guide you,' said Mrs. Habibou.
A few hundred meters further on, the minister and her delegation visited Yacouba Sawadogo and his family. Upon seeing the official vehicles and the military escort, the occupants of the field, still marked by the painful memories of the insecurity, were initially overcome with fear. But thanks to the minister's attentive listening and straightforward manner, fear quickly gave way to confidence. Yacouba Sawadogo then recounted the ordeal they endured during their forced displacement before welcoming the gradual return of security, which allowed his family to return to their village and resume farming.
'Last year, nobody could set foot here. We were forced to flee with the whole family. Today, thanks to the remarkable work of the Defense and Security Forces and the VDP, we have returned to cultivate our land. We are grateful to the government and the President of Faso. We especially wish for support in agriculture, education and health,' he said.
Listening to the concerns of the local population, Lieutenant-Colonel P©lagie Kabor© reaffirmed the government's commitment to continuing support for resettled families in order to solidify their return, strengthen their self-reliance, and ultimately enable them to become independent of public assistance. Before taking her leave, the minister made a highly symbolic gesture. Taking Habibou's hoe, she weeded the woman's field a few times, to the admiration of the villagers. This simple, yet meaningful gesture elicited smiles, applause, blessings and heartfelt expressions of gratitude.
Upon leaving, the delegation left behind much more than an official visit: it rekindled the hope of families who, after the hardships of exile, are gradually finding their way back to dignity thanks to returning to their lands and the support of the government.