The Teacher's External Toilet (Before)	The Teacher's External Toilet (After)
The Headmaster's Toilet (Before)	The Headmaster's Toilet (After)
The Headmasters Home with New Kitchen - Front View (A Roof will be Added)	The Headmasters Home with New Kitchen - Front View (A Roof will be Added)
Side View of Headmaster's House	Inside View of Headmaster's House (Kitchen)

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Latest News and Pictures from Balgo

Update on Africa (January, 2008)

The year of 2007 brought much change to Balgo Village.  Pioneer Church was blessed by the partnership of two other churches, Westminster Presbyterian in Vienna, WV and From the Heart Church Ministries in Belpre, OH, whom have joined the efforts to the village and school in Burkina Faso, West Africa.

Inspired by a bicycle project using old bicycle parts to create new bicycles, a 40’ container was shipped by boat to Africa via France and the Ivory Coast.  Members and friends gathered food, medicine, blankets, household items, toys, gardening tools, furniture, classroom supplies, a freezer, sewing machines, copiers, computers and much, much more and sent them along with 26 refurbished bicycles to the village.  The project was further advanced when Lebanon City Schools in Lebanon, OH sent a truckload of classroom furniture.  When news of our efforts ran in the Cincinnati Enquirer, we were contacted by the Cincinnati Reds who wanted to donate 1,047 hats.  Items were stored at Noe Office Supply while being gathered throughout the Spring.  The container arrived the end of June.  Headmaster, Barry Abdoulaye, says that never had Balgo received such things and the whole village rejoiced with a feast and singing and dancing and was attended by dignitaries from surrounding villages including the mayors and the country’s minister of education.  Sending the container was a costly endeavor; however, we felt that God used this “hands-on” project to build on our relationship with Barry and Balgo students and families.

 Another on-going partner is Gihon Elementary in Parkersburg, WV.  Students save pennies for the food program – children helping children – and last year raised $1,200.

In addition to the container items, we funded a new motorbike for Barry and two cows for his family.  The freezer that was sent has allowed Barry’s wife to start a water business during the hot season.  This has helped with the family’s meager income.  In July, we also had electricity installed in Barry’s home in Pouytenga through a garage sale and personal donations.

 Food remains the biggest problem for Africa.  There just isn’t enough of it.  Because of harsh climate conditions – long rainy seasons, dust storms and steamy temperatures that often reach 120 degrees – farming does not produce nearly enough food and people are starving.  Most students attend school for one reason – the noonday meal – most days it’s the only meal in 24 hours.  School is optional in Burkina.  Of course, once they come, they receive education – the key to bringing positive change to third world countries.  The African project has committed to funding the noonday meal for Balgo students for the 07/08 school year.  A meal consisting of beans, rice, salt, corn and oil averages approximately $60 to feed a child for one year.  This is a simple program that will allow a senior on a fixed income or a single parent to participate at a small cost of $5 per month.  Donations can be made to the food program by sending a check to Pioneer Presbyterian Church, 873 Farson Street, Belpre, OH  45714 to the attention of Sue Denes or Donna Gaston.  For more information call Donna at 740-423-8016.  Barry says lives are being saved and changed by the food program blessed by God Himself.

Barry Abdoulaye's wife, Djeneba, and daughter, Diko, proudly stand by freezer for the new water business. The freezer was included in the container sent to Balgo Village in June, 2007.	Eleven-year-old Edmond and Diko stand by ice chest of frozen bottles of water Edmond will sell on the streets of Pouytenga. The water business has provided a job for Edmond and taken him from a former life of stealing and begging.	It is easier to learn when the stomach is satisfied. Pots shown in the foreground are brought in daily by the students and will be filled with the lunch of beans and rice.
Students working in comfort at individual desks sent by Lebanon City Schools in Lebanon, Ohio. Classroom has been named "The American Class"	Balgo students are very happy to receive the meal that is provided by Westminster Presbyterian Chruch in Vienna, WV, From the Heart Ministries Church and Pioneer Presbyterian Chruch in Belpre, OH.	Crowded students sit five to a table before the desks and chairs arrive from America.
Here in The American Class, students are relaxed and can learn more easily. Barry reports that test scores have much improved.	Students at Balgo are hungry to get the noon meal. They have never eaten with forks or spoons. Students sit at one of the cafeteria tables sent by Lebanon City Schools.	Here a student is shown wearing one of the famous green and white hats sent by the Cincinnati Reds baseball team from a John Deere partnership. Peter's father works on the Ivory Coast where work is more plentiful. He calls the new cell phone he purchased for headmaster, Barry Abdoulaye, frequently to check on son, Peter.
Mamodou Sana has a whole new world to see since receiving a new wheelchair from Alley Healthcare in Parkersburg, WV

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