Francoise

by Ken Hoch

Thursday January 6, 2005. The team sat in our home of cement floors bathed in a soft halogen light. Francoise, founder of the Handicapés en Avant, had decided to join us for dinner. This soft-spoken, yet visionary, woman conversed with us over rice and salad. Her words were clear-spoken and compassionate. I was amazed at her confession that she had only learned English in response to this small group of Messiah students who have been visiting since 1998.

Q: When was the Handicap Center started?
A: I was just with the dispensary long ago as a midwife. We began to see a need, and the ministry began around 1987. We didn’t build until more than ten years later. Most of my work is traveling out in the bush to various families so that we can educate the handicapped children and their families. Often a father rejects a child [in Africa] if the child is disabled. When parents see how we love their child and they see some potential through our work, then they change.

Q: Do you get to go visiting often?
A: About once a month for some children, twice a month for others—depending on the need. We [the Handicap Center] really need to do more, but that would take more staff, more finances, and a more reliable vehicle. Visiting homes is what I love best.

Q: Tell me about the school. Do all handicapped children in Mahadaga go to a special school or no?
A: The school for the Deaf and Mute was started last year and had 29 students. This year there are two classes of 69 students total. We will also be getting a new teacher from Ouaga in the coming year.

Q: What about the School for the Blind?
A: That will start next year. We have a teacher training in Ouaga right now. Not all handicapped children go to these schools. Yempaabou, for example, goes to the Mahadaga school, which is a struggle. He is a wonderful boy, no matter what is done to him. However, he has trouble repeating what he is told as opposed to talking with someone about something. Education here is the root need. If people understood vaccinations, they would get them, and they wouldn’t get sick. The people here see the importance of education. Unfortunately, teachers see coming here as a punishment because it is too far from Ouaga and their families. Because of this, children do not learn to read.

Q: What about people who have graduated from the Mahadaga school---would they be willing to teach?
A: Graduates from Mahadaga—their first goal is to get out of Mahadaga, so they go to Ouaga, get a well-paying job, and send money home to their families.

Q: I have heard that the literacy rate in Mahadaga is higher than most places in Burkina Faso, perhaps due to the Tin Tua literacy program?
A: Well, yes, because people understand the importance of education here. Therefore, more children go to school—but there are still many children who don’t—mostly girls. The government hopes to find some way to change this because they are the future of Africa.