From Devastation to Renewal: How Issouf Reclaimed His Future Amidst Deadly Violence

In the sun-drenched landscapes of Burkina Faso, 17-year-old Issouf once thrived in a world defined by simplicity and dreams. He lived in the village of Boala with his parents, siblings, and extended family. His days were a blend of school and chores, a routine he embraced with enthusiasm. School was a haven of learning and laughter, where Issouf nurtured a dream of becoming a Life and Earth Sciences teacher.

But his reality was shattered one fateful day. Armed men stormed Boala, turning the market into a battlefield. With sorrow in his voice Issouf recalls the attack “that day was particularly dark, terrible and strange to see the armed men who had come to surprise us, firing weapons in the air and at people. The incident started at the market, and then these HANIs entered the village, killing and injuring people. In this massacre I lost my best friend and classmate Pamoussa.” The violence ended the life of Issouf’s best friend, Pamoussa, and forced him and his family to flee their home.

“In my bitterness I told myself that my dream would no longer be possible. I left my home with tears in my eyes” in his despair, he believed his dreams were shattered forever. His family embarked on a grueling five-day journey, escaping to Malgretenga, a place foreign and fraught with hostility.

The trauma of fleeing, compounded by the uncertainty of their new surroundings, left Issouf grappling with a profound loss. He explains “my feet hurt for more than two weeks. It was very difficult for me to live in a foreign village, I was afraid of being treated badly.” His education—once a beacon of hope—was abruptly stolen from him. The absence of a school in their new village seemed to extinguish his dreams and cast a shadow over his future.

However, a glimmer of hope emerged “I was overjoyed when I learned that I would be re-enrolled in a school thanks to Children Believe.” Issouf recalls. He was re-enrolled in a safe learning environment, a lifeline amidst the chaos. The transition was challenging, yet this new space, equipped with new learning tools and compassionate teachers, began to restore his sense of normalcy.

One poignant moment of joy came when Issouf first entered the learning center. “When I started to get used to my classmates, I tried to forget the past and focus on passing my exam. I felt alive again. I was learning to trust again.” Despite initial discomfort, he felt a surge of reassurance and comfort. The presence of dedicated teachers who provided moral support and tailored their teaching to the needs of displaced students rekindled his hope. For the first time since the conflict, Issouf felt alive again, focusing on his studies and rediscovering his passion for learning.

Issouf’s harrowing ordeal is a powerful wake-up call to the devastating, overlooked crisis in Burkina Faso. The critical humanitarian concern: the impact of conflict on education and the vital need for support in areas where it is most desperately needed. Issouf’s choices were robbed from him, his dreams interrupted by violence and displacement. Yet, through the provision of a safe learning environment and the support of caring educators, he began to rebuild his future.

Interested in providing safe spaces where children like Issouf can learn and thrive?

Help Where the Need is Greatest

Your support can make a profound difference. By contributing to initiatives that provide safe learning environments for children affected by conflict, you can help restore their hope and dreams. Together, we can ensure that children like Issouf have the chance to reclaim their education and build a brighter future. We won’t stop until every child grows up to live the life they choose to live.

About Children Believe

Children Believe works globally to empower children to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in — and be heard. For 60+ years, we’ve brought together brave young dreamers, caring supporters and partners, and unabashed idealists. Together, we’re driven by a common belief: creating access to education — inside and outside of classrooms — is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.

About Childfund Alliance

A member of ChildFund Alliance, Children Believe is part of a global network of child-focused development organizations working to create opportunities for children and youth, their families and communities. ChildFund helps nearly 23-million children and their families in 70 countries overcome poverty and underlying conditions that prevent children from achieving their full potential. We work to end violence against children; provide expertise in emergencies and disasters to ease the harmful impact on children and their communities; and engage children and youth to create lasting change and elevate their voices in decisions that affect their lives.