Ouagadougou: The Armed Forces Sports Union (USFA) closed the activities of the 3rd edition of the Sport, Civics, Cooking and First Aid Holiday Camp on Friday. This camp, running from June 22 to July 17, 2026, was organized under the theme: 'Through sport and civics: honoring the memory and building the future', benefiting 149 children of the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) who died in the line of duty.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the month-long camp engaged the children in various activities such as football, physical exercises, first aid training, playing traditional instruments, and a pastry-making workshop for the girls. The program also focused on instilling values like civic-mindedness, patriotism, discipline, respect, team spirit, solidarity, and love of country.
The chairman of the organizing committee, Commander Louis Rmis Hien, emphasized USFA's ongoing commitment to the holistic development of young people by fostering athletics, responsibility, and education. While expressing satisfaction with the camp's outcomes, he acknowledged the challenges that remain.
Commander Hien conveyed gratitude to the military hierarchy, partners, sponsors, and parents for their support and trust in the initiative. The spokesperson for the camp residents, Ping D'Wend Anifatou Zongo, shared that the camp was a transformative experience, teaching discipline, respect for others, first aid techniques, and patriotism.
Representing the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Colonel-Major Souleymane Traor highlighted the importance of such activities for offering productive holidays and a conducive environment for education and development to the children of fallen FDS members. He praised the camp's success in merging sporting activities with civic learning and reaffirmed the army's commitment to supporting the development of these children.
Amsatou Maga, Head of Communication, Marketing and CSR at Vista Bank, representing the sponsor Simon Tiemtor, president of Vista Holding Group, reaffirmed the institution's commitment to supporting the children of fallen security force members. She noted that Vista Bank has been backing this initiative for three years and will continue providing academic support and guidance from sixth grade through high school.