Nakamb©: As part of the implementation of the new 2023-2027 bilateral cooperation program between Burkina Faso and the Kingdom of Belgium, the Belgian association AFRICALIA presented a public theater-debate performance focused on basic education. This initiative is part of the cultural project "Creativity for Development - Burkina Faso (C4D BF)," which is being implemented in the Nakamb© and Oubri regions.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the show, titled "Under the Nakamb© Tree," addresses the root causes of school dropout, including the allure of gold mining sites and a lack of parental involvement. Adama Kabor©, the project coordinator, emphasized that basic education involves not only enrolling children in school but also ensuring their continued attendance until they complete their studies.
Efforts to enroll children are ongoing, but the real challenge lies in ensuring continued engagement and perseverance. The show invites various stakeholders-parents, teachers, communities, and local authorities-to recognize their responsibilities in this regard.
Through scenes of everyday life and direct interaction with the audience, the theatre-debate highlights the difficult choices children face, torn between school and the pursuit of quick gains. The central message calls for prioritizing education as the foundation for a sustainable future and successful social integration.
Implemented by the Burkina Faso Cultural Platform through its member Espace Culturel Gambidi, the show is part of a series of seven artistic activities planned by the C4D BF project. These activities use theatre, radio, and other forms of artistic expression to inform, raise awareness, and mobilize the population.
Kira Claude Guigan©, director of the Gambidi Cultural Center, noted that the choice of theater-debates responds to a strong demand from the partner, who aims to reach communities in their languages and local contexts. He explained that while gold panning may seem like a quick fix, it often remains a mirage with serious social consequences.
The broadcast of the show will cover eight communes, including Koup©la, Tenkodogo, Garango, Pouytenga, Zorgho, and Mogt©do, targeting young people, women, parents, internally displaced persons, and customary authorities.
Beyond basic education, the C4D BF project also aims to strengthen social cohesion and conflict prevention through community dialogue. Following the performance, discussions with the audience allowed for the collection of observations and suggestions to improve the show before its tour.
By combining culture and development, this theatre-debate format positions itself as a powerful tool for raising awareness and fostering civic engagement, serving the educational and social future of communities in Burkina Faso.