Operation “Books for Burkinabe schoolchildren”

Book and School Supplies Drive for Burkina Faso The Order of Saint Gabriel, whose mission is to help disadvantaged children, organized a book and school supplies drive in Switzerland thanks to the dedication of the Swiss Chapter of the Order and the National Association of Saint Gabriel Hospital Works. In partnership with Payot Bookstores, this marked the 14th edition of the operation, held from April 27 to May 7 across numerous local shopping centers: 13 Payot Bookstores; 7 Nature & Découvertes stores in Switzerland; 200 Coop supermarkets in French-speaking Switzerland. The collection was highly successful, allowing four containers to be filled between June 15 and July 4. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, furniture and children’s toys were also included. Results of the Drive 371 pieces of furniture (wardrobes, shelves, chairs, tables, etc.) 146 children’s toys (puzzles, board games, small bicycles, plush toys, etc.) 80 boxes of tableware 62 boxes of tools 48 bags of children’s clothing 3,072 boxes of books The tableware is destined for the Culinary School of Ouagadougou, a vocational school scheduled to open this autumn to train young people. Admission requires basic literacy and numeracy only; no certificates are needed. There is a high demand for bakers in the country, and this school meets economic needs. The tools are intended for CERMICOL (Center for the Education and Reintegration of Minors in Conflict with the Law), a vocational training center for juvenile offenders in Bobo Dioulasso. Although the center has excellent facilities, it has very limited equipment. Thanks to the commitment of our partners, the Order of Saint Gabriel warmly thanks everyone who contributed to this project, organized by the Swiss Association of Saint Gabriel Hospital Works: Payot Bookstores, for providing the books; The Isabelle Chevalley Association, for managing logistics, loading the supplies, and overseeing distribution in Burkina Faso with the support of the NGO Nouvelle Planète; MSC Foundation, for funding the transport and donating the four containers that will serve as mobile libraries in Burkina Faso. Photos