The new Community Centre has an important role to play in the development of projects in the fields of agriculture, microfinance and youth activities. The emphasis will be in particular on activities for women and their children. It is the first centre of its kind to be constructed in the District of Béré, which comprises some 20 villages like Sidtenga.
The Centre consists of a hall capable of seating at least 100 people, and a store room. It is constructed rather like any village hall here in the UK, although we do not of course have electricity. However, with the aid of a small generator, we hope to install satellite TV, which will be used to help pay for the running costs of the Centre, as well as providing the facility for visiting NGO's to demonstrate their programmes. These we hope will include major women's issues, family planning, the development of young families, youth activities and of course agriculture. 80% of the farming in Burkina Faso is done by women, and we hope to address "issues affecting the Burkinabé farmer and her husband!". We also hope to establish a partnership with Government technical services and NGO's dedicated to the provision of assistance for these activities.
The building was fully funded by the Appeal, is complete and is in the process of being equipped as funds allow It will now be officially opened in early 2010, the original opening having been postponed due to the death of our village Chief. A Committee has been established in the village to take responsibility for running the Centre.
We have addressed the subject of the cost of running the Centre in "Future Projects
