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Stories of transformation and empowerment...

Executive Director
Joanna ILBOUDO, tells about the beginning of ACTS. Read about ACTS formation...
Then, read Joanna's vision for the poor...

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For just $1.50 a day you can sponsor a boy or girl and give them an opportunity to receive a good education.

Our village students have proven through annual government-sponsored exams that they have what it takes to succeed.

Orphans, vulnerable children and at-risk youth are among the most exploited of the country's population. Limited access to educational opportunities keeps these children in the grip of poverty. Without educational opportunities, many children fall into the hands of those who exploit them for prostitution and other abuses.

ACTS educational program of kindergarten (20 students), primary (330 students), secondary (235 students) as well as speed school for those who are struggling with their studies provide the hope of a brighter future for village children.

There are 585 boys and girls enrolled in the ACTS formal education programs at Ecole la Solidarity and College Ezra. Besides these students, there are additional students enrolled in vocational programs in carpentry, goat breeding and tailoring.

Sponsoring a student in one of the ACTS schools insures that the student receives a uniform, textbooks, supplies, daily lunch and basic medical care.

Ecole la Solidarity - Primary School
	One day	$ 1.50
	One week	$ 7.50
	One month	$ 30.00
	Full 9 month term	$270.00

College Ezra - Secondary School
	One day	$ 2.70
	One week	$ 13.50
	One month	$ 54.00
	Full 9 month term	$486.00

Care for students goes far beyond the basics. ACTS encourages orphans and vulnerable children to reach their potential. They are taught in an environment that gives them self-confidence and worth as a human being.

We will provide you with the name, a photo of your student and a few details. If you wish, you may choose a boy or girl.

If you want to sponsor a child, send an e-mail to actsministry05@sbcglobal.net.

If you would like more information, please relay your questions to the same address.

ACTS students received high marks on national exams at the end of the last term. In fact, several students received awards for their excellence.

Click here to read about end of the 2010-2011 School year celebration

Click here to read about Jocelyn Kam, the "student of the year"

There was no secondary school within walking distance of the village, so ACTS launched a secondary school in October 2008. The school began with 56 enrolled. This includes the orphans from the ACTS Center and young people from the village who are paying a modest fee for their students to be enrolled. Because this is the first year, we limited the number of students from the village.

The children at ACTS schools receive academic training along with the gospel message. Many poor village boys and girls found faith in Christ through the ACTS schools. Children experience for themselves the peace, security and future they have in Christ. Forence Nikièma, a 16 year old student from College Ezra secondary school, tells about her ACTS school experience.

“Six years ago I came to the Center to learn how to sew but when the primary school was opened I was placed in the final year of primary school. By God’s grace I passed my exams and went to secondary school. Next year I will be my last year at the secondary school.”

“I am so very happy and thankful to God. Before I came to the ACTS Center, I had nothing. I felt like my life was over and could not see beyond the hunger and lack.”

“ACTS gave me everything. It was here that I found salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. I do not have words to express my joy and gratitude to ACTS because I have complete care at Hope Center.”

The secondary school opened for the first time in October 2008 with 56 students and 85 students have enrolled for the 2010-2011 school year. We are praising God for his faithfulness. It is so wonderful to hear that Joanna's vision for bringing the Gospel to secondary students is bringing forth fruit.

The school allows the ACTS orphans to complete their education through high school at no cost.

Primary students in front of one of the classrooms at the ACTS Center. Besides classrooms at the ACTS Center, there are classrooms set up in other villages and one in a very poor section of Ouagadougou. There are more than750 students involved in the ACTS education programs.

Along with the full load of academic subjects, students at the ACTS schools study Bible lessons. By the time students have completed secondary school, they have a good foundation in faith. There are few Bible courses in the country and many pastors and lay leaders need biblical teaching. This makes the Bible curriculum especially important for the students.

School fees in Burkina are too costly for village families. Few village children attend school. Some children are able to only periodically attend when their family has enough money or when the students are not needed to work at home or in the fields. It is estimated that 65% of children do not attend school.

Families rarely send their girls to school as they don't feel it is necessary. Girls will just become mothers and work in the fields and home. ACTS stresses the importance of girls receiving an education. Women in Burkina Faso are industrious and with education they can become strong leaders in the community.

Few villagers have birth certificates. In a cooperative program with the government, ACTS helps villagers obtain the certificates and official stamps for them. Without a birth certificate girls and boys cannot take the official exams sponsored by the government to advance to higher levels of education, they cannot obtain a licence to run a business, they cannot vote or hold public office, nor can they travel.