1. Burkina Faso, Africa

    As taken from the CIA World Factbook (Sept 2010).

    Background:

    Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) achieved independence from France in 1960. Repeated military coups during the 1970s and 1980s were followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Current President Blaise COMPAORE came to power in a 1987 military coup and has won every election since then. Burkina Faso’s high population density and limited natural resources result in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens. Recent unrest in Cote d’Ivoire and northern Ghana has hindered the ability of several hundred thousand seasonal Burkinabe farm workers to find employment in neighboring countries.


    Population: 15.7M

    Capital: Ouagadougou

    Area: 274,200 sq km (105,870 sq miles)

    Major languages: French, indigenous languages

    Major religions: Indigenous beliefs, Islam, Christianity

    Life expectancy: 52 years (men), 54 years (women) (UN)

    The land has unfolded

    Ouagadougou

    Mid-day break

    Excited

    & curious

    Beautiful faces everywhere, children curious and ready for a close up at all times

    Many walk between villages

    Some get help from 4 legs

    What if there is a flood?

    You cross, of course…

    Scootin’ dames…they dominate the streets

    Red as far as the eye can see

    Small village outside Ouaga

    Community meeting ran by french medical students from Paris. Focus was HIV/AIDS and information dissemenation

    Pictorial representation - attempt to explain any way possible

    Children came

    Women came

    We came and participated

    Miss attitude :)

    Welcome party

    Beauty.


    Peek-a-boo!!

    The mother was 6 ft tall. This babe was just tiny!

    He was all smiles

    Pouring buckets over a perfect shot (is well worth it)…

    The sound of excited children, their smiles and laughter will be so addictive, you’ll want to return (a fair warning before you go to this part of Africa)

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