Konkourona Alliance Foundation

Until now, there has been no healthcare available to the community of Konkourona. The nearest hospital is approximately 50 miles away, there are no cars in the community and transportation is generally limited to walking or biking. Burkina Faso has among the highest maternal and child mortality rates and lowest life expectancy rates in the world. A new healthcare center was built to include a maternal and child facility, a general practice facility, a pharmacy, latrines, housing for health workers, and a laundry area. The healthcare center was opened in Dec-2022.

Students in Konkourona have limited access to books, educational materials (e.g. rulers, compasses, maps, computers, etc.) and there is no middle school, high school, technical school, or university in Konkourona. The Sponsor a Child program is used to ensure that every child in Konkourona has access to education. KAFO provides funding for tuition, books, bikes, computers, lunches, clothing, shoes, etc., as needed for students to attend elementary school in Konkourona and middle school, technical school, high school and universities in other villages and towns.Approximately 350 children were supported in the fiscal year.

Significant development activities have been completed in Konkourona since KAFO was founded in 2019. There is an increasing need for management of those activities, which span programs for education, healthcare, water and sanitation, economic development, and environmental protection. A headquarters building was constructed to serve as an office for the community and temporary housing for government officials and visitors, who come to inspect, and for teachers as new schools and more permanent housing for the teachers can be built. Construction of a middle school, technical school and high school are planned for the coming years. The headquarters building was opened in Sep-2022.

Funds were used to begin renovation of an existing building, and books, shelves, tables and chairs were purchased. The library is intended for use to expand educational opportunities for community members of all ages. The library was completed and opened in Sep-2022.

Access to water is limited in Konkourona. A water tower was installed to provide running water to the health center and three community fountains were built for access by the general public. The fountains were open to the public in the fiscal year.

Deforestation is occurring at a rapid rate throughout the African Sahel, as the vast majority of families burn wood for cooking every meal. As trees are cut down, the desert conditions expand, making the region inhabitable. 1100 trees were planted this year to provide food and shade, and fight desertification.