Ouagadougou: The Organizing Committee of the BENKADI Festival has announced a charity gala dinner scheduled for Saturday, December 6, aimed at raising funds for the construction of a leisure center at the Charles De Gaulle Paediatric Hospital. This initiative seeks to provide hospitalized children with a space conducive to their development during their medical stay.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the BENKADI Festival, which means fraternity and friendship in the Mandinka language, is celebrating its 6th international edition and its inaugural event in Burkina Faso. The main goal of this edition is to support the creation of a relaxing and playful environment within the paediatrics ward, offering children moments of joy amidst their medical treatments.

The announcement was made during a press conference held on Monday, December 1, 2025, in Ouagadougou. The project's promoter, Fatou Malia Badini, shared that the initiative was inspired by a February 2025 visit to the paediatric department, which included the festival team and influencer Milli Marta. This visit highlighted the urgent need for a child-friendly leisure area, prompting a commitment from the organizers to fulfill this need with community support.

Badini noted that the foundation stone for the leisure center was laid on October 30, 2025, marking the commencement of the project. The overall cost of construction is estimated at 15 million CFA francs.

The Organizing Committee is calling for solidarity from a wide range of supporters, including institutions, companies, organizations, technical and financial partners, and individuals. "Every contribution, big or small, is truly life-changing. Every gesture is a smile returned to a child," the committee emphasized.

Tickets for the gala dinner are priced at 30,000, 60,000, and 100,000 FCFA, with the intention of significantly contributing to the center's construction. The committee also emphasized that support can be extended even by those unable to attend the event.