OUR WORK

Souleymane* is still haunted by the terrible things he has been through. He was forced to flee his home in the dead of night after armed men attacked his village, beating his father, amid the violence sweeping Africa’s Sahel region. The family left with nothing, spending three days on the road, sleeping in the bitter cold, until reaching their new home. Souleymane* still lives with the psychological scars of his experiences. Even someone visiting his home can fill him with dread: ‘If Souleymane doesn't know who it is, he'll tremble,’ says his father, Yacouba*. Life is tough in other ways too. His parents cannot find work and can now barely buy enough to eat. But there is hope. Souleymane* has enrolled in school and can now start to rebuild a life torn apart by war. His mum, Fatime*, has big dreams for Souleymane. ‘I want him to become a doctor,’ she says. Adrien Bitibaly / Save the Children

Fanta, has benefited from the cash to expand her vegetable and condiment business Abdoul Karim Lagafou

Salif* is a smiling, joyful, curious child, even though disease has stunted his physical and mental growth. When one of our social workers first saw 13-year-old Salif, he thought he was just eight. We found him recovering from painful tooth decay, brought on by his condition. For the past year or so, Salif has been living with his family in a camp for displaced people in Burkina Faso, after they were forced to flee their homes by the violence sweeping Africa’s Sahel region. The family have little to live on, and Salif needs support, both for his condition and so he can continue his education. Thankfully, Salif is now getting that support, attending a Save the Children learning centre, where social workers and teachers are trained to be there for children life Salif, who’ve been through so much. Now Salif can learn and play again, and begin the long road to recovery. Adrien Bitibaly / Save the Children

Save the Children International in Burkina Faso organised a food distribution for 200 vulnerable displaced households including 113 women and 87 men, in Oudalan Province. The food kits provided per month per household of 7 people were as follows: 75 kg of cereals (rice); 10 kg of legumes (cowpeas); 5 liters of oil; and 1 kg of salt. Nadinga Tiabrimani / Save the Children

Azara’s* tranquil childhood was torn apart when violence and the death of her father forced her from her home and everything she once knew. 15-year-old Azara is one of the millions of children caught up in the conflict sweeping her homeland of Burkina Faso, as well as neighbouring Niger and Mali. Her school was forced to close and she had to abandon her education and find a new home in Ouahiguoya with her mother and brothers. Slowly but surely, however, Azara is rebuilding her life. She’s receiving the support of a Save the Children social worker, and has begun training in tailoring, in which she excels, equipping her for a career – and a brighter future. Adrien Bitibaly / Save the Children