Burkina+Faso


 * Past PO Participants write about Burkina Faso:**
 * N. Poulin (2007)** - [[file:projectoverseas/Poulin Burkina Faso.pdf|Poulin Burkina Faso.pdf]]
 * M. Lapointe (2008) - [[file:projectoverseas/M. Lapointe Burkina Faso.pdf|M. Lapointe Burkina Faso.pdf]]**
 * C. Lefebvre Bollinger (2008) - [[file:projectoverseas/ETFO 2009.pdf|ETFO 2009.pdf]] (page 4 & 5)**
 * L. Bonhage (2009) - [[file:projectoverseas/L. Bonhage 2009 BF.pdf|L. Bonhage 2009 BF.pdf]]**
 * M. Lapointe (2010) - [[file:projectoverseas/M. Lapointe.pdf|M. Lapointe.pdf]]**
 * B. Dallaire (2010) - [[file:projectoverseas/B. Dallaire Burkina Faso 2010.pdf|B. Dallaire Burkina Faso 2010.pdf]]**
 * M. Prevost (2011) - [[file:projectoverseas/M. Prevost (Burkina Faso 2011).pdf|M. Prevost (Burkina Faso 2011).pdf]]**


 * Tips from Wes Delve** (Chef d’équipe 2011, 2016):
 * • Temperature:** Mid to upper 30s every day, with a very high degree of humidity. Choose light-coloured clothing, and light fabrics whenever possible, as the humidity can literally be like a brick wall when you leave your hotel room, depending on your personal tolerance level.
 * • Money:** Francs CFA. A 10,000 franc note is worth roughly $20 CDN. Please check with your bank or on-line currency rates; the currency code is “XOF”. Automated bank machines are useful, and will work with most bank cards. Bring two or three bank cards / credit cards just in case, as some days they can be a bit finicky. You will not likely be able to buy Francs CFA before leaving; banks do not carry this currency. Your contact person from the SNEA-B or SNESS will take you to the bank as necessary in order to exchange – bring Euros or USD for this purpose.
 * • Accommodations:** If you are at the Villa YiriSuma, you will be very well looked after. The rooms are generous in space, with fully functioning showers, running water, electricity and air conditioning. The staff are lovely; please consider bringing gifts with you for key individuals (maids, manager, etc.). There is no pool, but the “Centre Américain” is located one street behind the Villa, and you can swim there for a reasonable fee. o If you are at the Hotel Yibi, it underwent renovations in 2016, and so the current conditions / standards are unknown. It has an outdoor pool.
 * • Electricity:** Bring a multi-adaptor in order to connect. Electricity is very dependable, except during heavy rain / thunderstorms, when it is possible to have an interruption. Don’t start anything important, e.g. shaving, during this type of weather, as you could lose power (lights, air conditioning, etc.).
 * • Standard of living**: There is a huge disparity between our standard and that of the Burkinabé. Twenty dollars for us (10,000 F-CFA) is a fortune for them. Don’t be flashy with money, and try to keep this in mind when buying gifts / taking key individuals out for a meal, etc.
 * • Taxis:** We never took taxis; our Union contacts always drove us where we needed to go. If you do, negotiate a price BEFORE getting in, for the trip you are going to take. Consult with your local union contact people in order to know what the “going rates” are.
 * • Entertainment:** On weekends, your contact people may take you to a “Maquis,” which is like an outdoor dance bar/club. They can be fun / enjoyable, but washrooms are of questionable quality. Always have hand-sanitizer with you (not just for Maquis, but for everything), and use common sense. o There are other “tourist” possibilities. The sculptures park (Bangra Wéogo), the city park, the nearby crocodile sanctuary, the artisans’ market, and Ouaga 2000 are all viable options, as is the “Faux départ de l’empéreur” (as always, speak with your local Union contacts for details).
 * • Food:** o Typical West African fare. At workshops, you will be served lunch. You will be asked to go in line in front of everyone else; accept this graciously. Starches include yams, potatoes, pasta (rarely), tarot root, and rice. Burkina Faso, c’est le pays de la viande… Expect large portions of meat, especially chicken. Pork is extremely rare, as a large portion of the population is Muslim. Fresh fruit is always available, as are roasted nuts (cashews and peanuts). o There are many decent restaurants close to the Villa YiriSuma. Try out many of them, and remember to avoid ice in your drinks.
 * • Etiquette:** There are many greetings used: “Bonne arrivée!” in the mornings, followed by “Et la nuit? Et la famille?” (How was your night? How are your family?) Of course, “Bon appétit!” before eating, followed by “Bonne digestion!” after having finished eating. Your country contact person (during pre-departure training in Ottawa) and your local Union contacts will brief you / explain to you further aspects of etiquette, including greetings in other, local languages. The Burkinabé are very patient, very warm and welcoming, and will not be offended if you make a mistake; indeed, they will be more than happy to help you learn all the local customs, greetings, etc.
 * • Teaching:** Participants in the workshops are not used to Canadian methods. If you present activities which involved getting up / moving around / interactions / unusual (for them) requests, they may be hesitant at first. However, once they know you more and you have gained their trust (which will happen sooner as opposed to later), they will do anything for you, invite you to join them, strike up conversations, etc.
 * • Other:** I gave my professional e-mail address out to participants; I have had very few participants actually contact me, so don’t be afraid to do so if there are some individuals with whom you would like to remain in contact. o DO NOT give anything to people begging in the streets, or buy items from street vendors. If you do, you will be “targeted / identified,” and you will from that point on never be left alone. Be strong, resist, and find other ways to be generous if you feel the need “to give.”

Ateliers de Francais - Primaire -
 * Lesson Material:**