Giving Africa - FSL London to Brighton bike ride

We are currently raising money for GIVING AFRICA by completing a bike ride from London to Brighton.

The Land of the Upright People

GIVING AFRICA is working in West Africa, focusing on developing education by building new schools in an amazing country called Burkina Faso. Also known as ?the land of the upright people?? due to the Burkinabe?s integrity and honesty ? this country is full of the most generous and loving people, who always seem to put others before themselves.

Its size is 274,000 km², roughly as big as England, and it has an estimated population of 15,757,000. It won its independence from France in 1960 and has maintained political stability since 1987. However, Burkina has huge challenges everywhere; economically, financially, environmentally, with education, severe climatic challenges, major health issues and food security problems. It is one of the poorest countries in the world and it is reported that a staggering 300,000 children die every year in Burkina Faso. It is also the least literate country in the world with only 1 in 10 girls able to read.
One of the country?s main challenges is that it is a land locked, surrounded by six other countries: Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana, The Ivory Coast. This makes options for trade very tough and limits opportunities to develop. With all of this to consider, when we visit the schools in Burkina the children have the most amazing spirit! These people are so proud of who they are and have made huge steps forward, despite the barriers they face.

The Key is Education

When GIVING AFRICA visited Burkina Faso we met with the Minister of Education Marie Odile Bounkougou ? a very powerful leader. She is making enormous strides in developing the education system and talked passionately about importance of education and it?s critical role in lifting the nation out of poverty.

We know that there is a direct correlation between education and ending poverty. This is why it is crucial that we build great schools in Burkina Faso. For every child educated they can get a job, or start a business, and lift another 12 people from poverty. But education has a more profound effect than this alone ? it will also start the ?virtual development cycle? improving all aspects of life including health, mortality, environmental sustainability and equality ? to name a few.
With all of us pulling together we will save thousands of lives and create great futures for these children.

We can make a difference and contribute to eradicating poverty once and for all!

To help make that difference, please donate now.

Please remember when you make a donation, don't forget to tick the Gift Aid box if you're a UK taxpayer as then GIVING AFRICA can claim an extra 25% from the government!