Since 2009, HAMAP-Humanitaire has worked with the Parish of Kokologho to create literacy centres allowing children who are out of school and past the legal age for state education to complete a full school cycle. Today we have 4 literacy centres spread across several villages in the Kokologho area. More than 160 children aged between 8 and 16 attend these centres. The teachers are young Burkinabe who have reached a level of education sufficient to teach; through this work they gain a status in society and can continue to train and progress with the support and supervision of the local education authority. All the teachers take two teaching courses a year.
This year, in February 2018, HAMAP-Humanitaire was able to open its 4th literacy centre in the locality of Bingo, following needs identified by the town council. This new class takes in 31 pupils, 11 girls and 20 boys, to begin a school cycle from the first preparatory year. The town council of Bingo provides a room free of charge for the lessons. Before starting, the new teacher spent a week observing classes at the Kokologho centre in order to absorb the other teachers' methods. As in the other literacy centres, a canteen will be set up so that the children can eat at midday. The canteen is run by the parents' association.
A preliminary meeting was held with the children's parents to explain the basics of the teaching and to encourage their involvement in their children's schooling before classes began.
This new literacy centre will be officially registered with the competent local authorities in September 2018.