OuagaNet.com

Support needed to build a school in a rural village of Burkina Faso

Construction of a six-classrooms elementary school.

A school is highly vital to a rural village in Burkina Faso. Often, when illiteracy is as high as 90% or above in some villages, an elementary school can change the dynamics of the village by graduating young children who can read and write as well impart some new ideas to their parents. A village without a school is less likely to develop as illiteracy is a major source of many social problems.

OuagaNet is seeking your financial support to build a structurally sound school for this community of 3000 inhabitants in Burkina Faso. The existing three classrooms school was build with mud bricks and the entire structure is unsafe: cracked walls, leaking roofs, pot holes inside the building and wet areas whenever it rains. This building is such in bad shape that nothing from it can be salvaged. We have inspected it with some builders in the country and the recommendation is to rebuild it with bricks made with cement.

This is a major undertaking but a noble thing to do. We are asking our visitors to support us in order to get this project completed. We want to build this school and update you with pictures of a nice and safe building for the children to get an education in. To see photos of donations we have made to the school in the past, please visit our photos albums.

Estimated costs

The estimated cost for a three-classroom school fully equipped and built using the proper material and engineering specification is $58,000. This will include solar cells technology to provide electricity for the classroom. This figure has been reached by using estimate of builders in the capital.

Fundraising strategy

We are targeting donations of $100 per person, however, any contribution smaller or larger will be gladly accepted. Our philosophy is that if we can get 600 people to help, this school will move from a dream state to a reality for the children. As a result, we want you to be excited about the school project and get other friends, churches, groups and organizations involved. We are looking for compassionate and goodwill donors.
When this school is built, we want to engrave the names of all the people who made it possible on the classes floor. This will be a permanent reminder to the students and the future classes, that without your help, their education would not have been possible and to invite them to have a helping heart in the future.

Interview with Burkinabe Super Model Mossi based in France

Mossi is a Super-Model living in France. She is multi-lingual (French, English, Spanish) and is living in France.
You can access her website at the following address: http://www.mossi.book.fr/

OuagaNet:
Welcome to OuagaNet ! Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Mossi:
Thanks for the interview. I am 23 years old and my parents are all Burkinabe from the Mossi ethnic group. I was born in Reims, France where I live since childhood. I am greatly attached to my roots and that�s why I choosed the name Mossi as my official Model name. My parents taught me strong Burkinabe values and I am very much grateful to them. I am open-minded but well attached to Burkina Faso traditional values in general, and for that, I frequently visit my family in Burkina Faso to get re-acquainted.

OuagaNet:
What made you choose Modeling as a profession, especially when in Burkina Faso being a Model is not common at all?

Mossi:
I am still studying as well as working as a Model. Being a Model is a real passion for me. I have completed business and foreign languages studies, however, being a Model is truly something that I love and take seriously.

OuagaNet:
Are you specialized in a given area of Modeling or are you available for all type of activities related to the industry?

Mossi:
I like taking shots for fashion, info-commercials, clothing catalog, etc. I am also interested in modeling for the musical industry, participating in the making of video-clips. Really, I will review any project where there is a match with my preferences and talents.

OuagaNet:
Are you only available for professional work in the Modeling industry in France? Is language a barrier for you in your profession? Do you speak any language of Burkina Faso?

Mossi:
If I was given a short-term project outside of France, I will not hesitate to accept it. Working overseas for me is not a problem since I speak English, French and Spanish. Sadly, I do not speak Moore which is my mother�s tongue. Now that I am adult, it is not easy to learn it.

OuagaNet: Of all your Modeling activities, which one is more memorable to you?

Mossi:
I learn from each one and try to use that experience for others.

OuagaNet:
What is your musical preference? Which Modeling personality influences you?

Mossi:
I like African, African-American, Caribbean, and music from the Antilles. I am opened- minded musically, however my preferences are the Afro-music. Professionally, I do not have a Modeling personality you is serving as a mentor to me and I am comfortable working by myself.

OuagaNet:
Which Burkinabe Filmmaker or artist do you prefer and why?

Mossi:
I did not get a chance to see many Burkinabe movies. I have seen "Yaaba" of Idrissa Ouedraogo and some series such as the �Bobodiouf� that were funny. Otherwise, I listen to Burkinabe music from traditional songs to rap. I was happy to see a Burkina Faso Rapper win an Oscar at the Kora awards.

OuagaNet:
How can one get in touch with you for modeling related projects? Do you have an Agent or a site?

Mossi:
I am a Freelance Model, so I take care of all activities myself. Anyone interested in my services can access my Porte-folio at the following address: http://www.Mossi.book.fr/

OuagaNet:
What kind of personal qualities a Model must have? Is it enough to be sexy looking and tall?

Mossi:
A Model must be herself and feel good in whatever project she is involved with. When I say be herself, I mean that she must know who she really is despite the fact that sometimes we are asked to play a role, to metamorphose into a character.

OuagaNet:
Talking about the criteria for becoming a Model, what do you think about this so called concept of beauty based on a tall and slender body?

Mossi:
Beauty is relative. A Model is not necessarily beautiful. Whenever someone is looking for a Model, he or she is looking for specific criteria to fit the project needs. That�s why the choice is wide opened in the modeling industry. By the way, I am not of those who characterize a beautiful woman by the fact that she is tall and slender. I see everyday beautiful women who do not fit such criteria.

OuagaNet:
An African writer once wrote: "You must remain yourself while becoming someone else". In this context, what would you do if you were offered a lucrative professional contract which contradicts your Burkina Faso cultural norms and values?

Mossi:
It depends on what you are calling cultural norms and values. I believe in remaining truthful to myself and origins. I do not accept certain types of projects at all. For example, I do not take nude shots and not even shots in lingerie. Also, I have never shared the philosophy of accepting everything for money. I have some principles that I hold dearly on.

OuagaNet:
What advice do you have for Burkina Faso women who want to follow your footsteps into a modeling career?

Mossi:

I would not allow myself to give advices. However, I think that it is important for anyone to do what she wants in life. So, one should not waste time, not hesitate, and at the same time must be careful.

OuagaNet:
Thanks for this interview. We are pleased that you shared your professional activities with us.

Mossi:
My pleasure! Keep up the good work at OuagaNet.com

Polygamy in Burkina Faso

The term polygamy is derived from the Greek words poly which means many and gamos, marriage. In other words, polygamy is the act of one man marrying more than one woman. This form of matrimony is widely common in Burkina Faso to be point that it does not raise eyes brows anymore. It is as natural as sunrises. Many reasons explain the preponderance of polygamy in Burkina Faso. Among these, we can cite:

Religious reasons
About 50% of the Burkina Faso population is Moslem, 40% practice traditional African religions or animism and the other 10% is Christian, mostly Roman Catholics. Islam supports polygamy and most Moslem in Burkina Faso naturally accept that way of life which agrees with their religious believes. It is said that Moslem can marry up to four wives. While Christianity does not tolerate polygamy, there are instances of polygamous Christians. We think that this is influenced by cultural and social factors.

Cultural factors
Polygamy has always existed in traditional societies of Burkina Faso. The kings for example, had several wives and some of them large harems. The desire to have many children often associated with family pride, economic necessities, and social status perpetuated polygamy in rural areas. A man with many children not only had large crop fields but also more people involved in the socio-cultural life of the village: ceremonials dances, masks, rituals, etc. This brought instant respect and good social status to the family.

Social issues of polygamy in Burkina Faso
From my observations, the questionable aspect of polygamy is that women are not willingly entering into this form of relationship. In many instances, young women are coached, coerced, or given in marriage to someone else who is already married and much more older. It is fair under such circumstances to say that polygamy give way to the exploitation of women. In some instances, the education of young women is cut short prematurely so that they can be given to marriage to older polygamous men.

In his film Wend-Kuni for example, Gaston Kabore depicts a scene where a young woman was being given in marriage to Lale, an older man way above 60 years of age. The woman was so heart-broken that she called Lale all kind of names: impotent, old, my father, etc. Not being able to deal with the shame that the young woman brought upon him, the old Lale hanged himself.

The polygamous lifestyle in Burkina Faso
In a polygamous family, every woman lives in her own quarters separate from the man. The number of days in the week, or weeks in the month is divided among the wives. In the moore dialect this is called the moindé and in Nuni, the swaala.
During her moindé, each wife has responsibilities for cooking for the entire family and also has exclusive matrimonial privileges of being with her husband.

In a harmonious situation, the wives and husband agree with this unwritten rule and life goes on as usual with every woman waiting for her own moindé. However, in many instances, the man neglects the first wives and devotes all attention to the young one. This creates a tense situation in the family and the neglected wives have to endure this sour relationship. Not only that those wives are unhappy, their children also are affected because they can all see the injustices that polygamy brings into the family. The young wife will often do everything to capture the man attention, getting all the favors for herself and her children and be quick to blame others in the family. It is a sad situation where some men can end up neglecting their own children.

Georges Ouedraogo, a well-known and respected Burkinabe musician in his song entitled Abibou depicts a case of polygamy gone badly. Abibou the young wife of a polygamist with already three wives has made the household tense and uninhabitable.
Below is a rough and partial translation of his song written in the moore dialect.

Abibou, if you knew that, you should have married another man,
For, there were three of us already here before you,
And you just arrived last year, making the household tense,
We were all living peacefully between us before you.
It is understood that every wife has her own moindé in this relationship,
But, you do not want to agree with that principle,
If any of us touch your water jar, you are complaining of flies hovering over it.
Abibou, if you do not pay attention,
�I will deal with you� so that you can find another place to digest your wickedness.
�You will end up under the baobab tree here�.
What happened to the once tough lady who used to be here?
Hasn�t she ended up in the market selling empty sacks?
Abibou, you will end up �digging weeds� elsewhere
For, I was here before you.

In conclusion, many problems do arise from polygamy in Burkina Faso. Women as well as their children do suffer from all the in-fighting between wives. We should also note that not everyone practice polygamy in Burkina Faso. Christians as well as the younger generations of men tend to opt for the monogamous lifestyle.
Contributions: Casmrl

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Interview with Dr. Marie-Ange Somdah

Marie-Ange Somdah is a poet, novelist and songwriter from Burkina Faso, West Africa. After completing his undergraduate studies at Université de Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), he graduated at Université de Franche-Comté (France). He holds a Ph.D. in French, African and Comparative Literature. He is also an alumnus of Boston University, School of Education. Professor, Consultant, Translator, Literary Critic and Film Critic, he lives in California where he teaches.
Dr. Somdah can be contacted via any of these web sites:
www.somdah.com
www.fasothink.org
www.oneglobalworld.com
www.transedu-lingua.com

Interview with Dr. Marie-Ange Somdah, writer born in Burkina Faso and now based in the USA.
Realized by OuagaNet:

OuagaNet:
Dr. Marie-Ange Somdah, you are a talented and prolific writer who was born in Burkina Faso. Please tell us about yourself and what you would like your readers to know about you.

Dr Somdah:
Thank you very much for this opportunity. I was born in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. I spent my primary school years in the southwestern regions, the Poni (Nako, Malba) and most notably in �La Bougouriba�, Diébougou, before heading to the Petit Séminaire (sic. Seminary school) of Nasso near Bobo-Dioulasso, the economic capital of Burkina Faso. There, I chose not to embrace the priesthood and went to the Lycée Newton in Ouagadougou where I got my Baccalauréat that opened the door to the Université de Ouagadougou. After my undergraduate studies, I went to the Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, where I got my doctorate degree (nouveau regime as they called it down there). Following the completion of my Ph.D. I taught for a while in France before moving to the USA where a charming Caribbean lady was waiting for me. We have a son. Regarding my professional activities, I will say that I have many arrows. For I am a Professor, poet and writer, Development Consultant, Literary and Film critic, Translator and Editor. All these activities are intertwined. They are the result of my multi-disciplinary background, first initiated at the Université de Ouagadougou. My approach is based on the assumption that you are more accomplished when you can benefit from various perspectives and fields. Everyone must thrive to broaden his own perspective of life.

OuagaNet:
What books have you published so far and what are they about? Which one is your favorite and why? (Please provide details and insights on each book published, hints for the reader).

Dr Somdah:
I have published several books. I�ll start with the most recent one and then move to the others.

Un Soleil de Plomb:
This story is about a former boat-people trained in a medical school in the Boston area and who became a well known cardiologist and scholar. But with fame also comes a strange shadow on his back. He gets entangled in a romance with a terrible twin, the one who will orchestrate his downfall. After a big winter storm, his wife Denise and the twin�s sister will find him dead with his last friend, the Philosopher. The Philosopher is Denise's former fiancée. This story is located in a country called Île, Boston and New York.

Rêves de Savane:
is a poetic journey into childhood. The poems here come with colorful illustrations from a retired teacher in Porto Novo, Benin.

Campus Blues:
This novel is very light, an easy one to read. In this book, I tried to recreate some scenes from a campus life in France with my fellow Africans in mind.

Seeds & Deep Seasons:
My first book of poetry in English is all about the human experience.

Le nombril de la terre:
This is a daring journey to learn or re-learn my roots. The symbolism of the Earth is central to my quest here.

Adjoa, l�aurore:
My first novel depicts the situation of a young man from the countryside and his life in a big African city.

Demain sera beau:
My first published book is a book of poetry that explores many issues of life.

Academics:
- Ecritures du Burkina Faso, Vol.1.
This is the first scholarly book on Burkina Faso�s literature. This edition aims at providing some first insights. This literature is still an unknown entity today. So this book is an effort towards promoting Burkinabé writers.

- Identités postcoloniales et discours dans les cultures francophones, Vol.1.
The question of identity and his reformulation is a key issue in the postcolonial world.
This book aims at providing tools for African students and scholars handicapped by a lack of academic resources.

OuagaNet:
What inspires you to write and why?

Dr Somdah:
That�s a tough one. Wherever you are it comes. I mean, la muse! Inspiration is sometimes a combination of elements: senses, imagination, reality, observation of daily life, life experience etc. Why, I�m writing? It's a need, a deep need: the quest for essence.

OuagaNet:
If a reader is interested in understanding in details your writings, which book should he start with and why?

Dr Somdah:
Oh boy! Your questions are really tough ones. It�s hard to say, for, reading is something very personal. Once you published your book, it doesn't belong to you anymore. Because, each of us will read it with his/her own experiences, feelings.

OuagaNet:
What do you hope to provide your readers with through your writings?

Dr Somdah: I�m neither a guide nor a mentor. Sharing is something that creates a space for dialogue. So I hope that reading my books will create many opportunities for dialogue for a better understanding of the human condition.

OuagaNet:
What are your goals as a writer? Do you consider yourself an engaged writer? (Here, tell us your philosophy. For example when we read Emile Zola, we know that he is depicting social ills and how working classes are facing them, and what to do about them. When we read Baudelaire, we know he is writing about love.)

Dr Somdah:
Yes, but love is also part of the human condition. Each of us brings something from his own to make us better. So labeling does not fit my philosophy. I'm writing me with my insights. Art is about assuming that human experience without anyone interfering in the process. I'm not here to show or tell people the truth. I'm here to share my own experience, feelings, vision, anger, joy; and if someone find something useful in there, good for him/her. I�m neither a griot for an ideology, nor a messenger for any fan. I'm a writer, an artist in my own quest.

OuagaNet:
Which African or French writer or philosopher influenced your writing style if any?

Dr Somdah:
Frankly, I don�t know. I studied the French classics: Voltaire, Montesquieu, Victor Hugo, Baudelaire, Lamartine. Also I read and studied some of the great Africans writers such as Senghor, Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Sembene Ousmane, Camara Laye, Mongo Beti, Peter Abrahams, Bernard Dadié, Seydou Badian, Yambo Ouologuem, Sony Labou Tansi, Henri Lopès, Olympe Bhêly Quenum, Aminata Sow Fall, Ferdinand Oyono. But I don't know. For sure, some critics will find something to say. Good luck to them!...

OuagaNet:
What is the state of writing and publishing in Burkina Faso?

Dr Somdah:
The revolution has triggered an incredible cultural revolution that has laid the grounds for writing. We have a lot of writers now. Many strive to promote their works but the publishing industry is still weak in Burkina Faso. Recently I received three poetry booklets from someone who is looking for better publishing opportunities. We have readers in Burkina Faso but you have to address some issues such as the cost of books. Books are very expensive all over Africa. I think governments should create the ground for a better pricing by reducing taxes on books. With affordable books, local publishers could better promote their products. My books are too expensive for local readers all over Africa. That is why I sometimes published some of my books with my own publishing company Yaniyo! Books. By doing so, I have the opportunity to give away some of them. But, unfortunately, I cannot publish other people�s works. It�s very costly and I'll need to invest time and money to promote and sell them. And I don't have either. I'll love to. Maybe in the near future.

OuagaNet:
What is wrong with Léopold Sédar Senghor négritude aside from the fact that the terms nègre, négro, and négritude� are contentious and accepted differently in many circles?

Dr Somdah:
This is not the issue. Nothing is wrong with the word négritude.

This word was created by his friend and fellow academician, Césaire. This concept help foster a sense of dignity for Africans but the vision of Senghor was somewhat perceived as narcissism. That�s why Wole Soyinka criticized the movement. The problem with Senghor can be found here when he said: "L'émotion est nègre et la raison héllène" ; also when he defined the French language as "une langue de gentillesse et d'honnêteté". These statements are very controversial ones. The education market is the sole monopoly of the former colonial power through a linguistic dominance. So, one can understand pretty well the issue here.

OuagaNet:
A French journalist once asked Jean-Paul Sartres to define existentialism in three words. Which three words will you use to define your writing philosophy?

Dr Somdah:
In French: l�Absolu, l�errance, une quête.

OuagaNet:
What advice do you have for Burkinabe and other Africans aspiring writers who want to follow your steps? What does it take to become a writer?

Dr Somdah:
Are they writing just for money? Because if it doesn�t work out, they will end up discouraged and even renouncing writing. Writing is about passion; it�s a deep quest. So if you have this in mind, whatever your financial misfortunes, you'll still be a writer. Writing is also about humility.

OuagaNet:
Are you available for joint writing projects about Burkina Faso issues where you will take the lead role and other parties will provide the research and data analysis support?

Dr Somdah:
Why not? If my time permits, this will be fun. Thank you, guys!