On Saturday, March 28, 2026 we went to Boussouma, in the diocese of Kaya, BURKINA FASO, some 80 kms from Ouagadougou, the capital, to visit a camp for internally displaced persons. This visit was organized by the USMBN (Union of Major Superiors of Burkina Faso and Niger).
We were welcomed by the parish priest who then took us to the camp for displaced people located more than an hour’s drive from Ouagadougou. As soon as we arrived, we were welcomed: they were waiting for us with bright eyes of hope!
There we met men, women and children who left their home village with all their belongings to save their lives. The families have been dispersed: some of these displaced do not know where the other members of their family are. Coming from different backgrounds and in difficult conditions, they have learned tolerance and now form like a family, without distinction of origin, ethnicity or religion. Cohabitation is good for everyone knowing what such a trip entails… After listening to them with great compassion, we encouraged them to maintain the spirit of unity and solidarity that reigns among themselves, not to lose hope for a better future, to keep faith and continue to pray to the Lord who is always there, despite this ordeal of tragic displacements!
I kept asking myself this question: “If Marie BALAVENNE were there, what would she have done? what attitudes, words, looks of comfort would she have manifested? “ …. After this interview we shared what we had brought: bags of rice, clothes collected here and there in our communities, and toys, sweets and cookies for the children… There I saw some of those who did not know what was happening to them, full of life and hope, with big dreams for the future: many were in school and some had started to learn a trade.
At the end of the day, they were moving “Goodbye”. We left with a heavy heart for not having been able to do more but also happy to have brought our small part to the tragic life of these men and women who are our brothers, reminding us: “What you did to the smallest among mine, it is to me that you did it” (Mt 25-40)
On the eve of Palm Sunday, in Boussouma there was a festive atmosphere: it was ‘Easter’ before Easter!
Sister Amélie ZOUGMORE, on behalf of the community of Ouagadougou
Published on 4 April 2026
