Burkina Faso FAQs

Burkina Faso FAQS

Where in the world is Burkina Faso?

Peace Corps only sends volunteers to third world countries. How poor is Burkina Faso?

It's actually one of the poorest countries to which Peace Corps sends its volunteers.
46.7% of the people in Burkina Faso live under the poverty line. 
77% are unemployed.

The GDP per capita of Burkina Faso is the equivalent of  $1,500 USD (ranked 203rd in the world).
Even though its numbers remain low compared to much of the world, Burkina Faso is ranked 28th internationally in GDP growth rate. THAT'S HUGE! A lot of this is a result of programs and aid from the European Union.  

This and further information can be found in the CIA World Factbook.

Can you explain that in relative terms?

Here's a helpful site that compares the United States to Burkina Faso. Their numbers are also based on the CIA World Factbook. For example, you'd make 97.41% less money in Burkina Faso than in the United States.

What will you be doing there?

My primary assignment is to be a junior high english teacher and help with after-school programs.

Peace Corps sends education, health and economic development volunteers to Burkina Faso.

What is the duration of your assignment?

27 months. Depart USA June 6, 2014. Return from Burkina Faso August 19, 2016.

Where will you live?

For the first 9 weeks, I will be living with a host family while I commute on bike to the training center. The remaining 2 years of service, I will live in the town of Bagassi, which is about 6 hours from Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso. My house has four rooms and a huge tree in the front yard.

What language will you be speaking?

My work will be in French. However, only the educated part of the population knows French. So, when I am at my site, I will also speak the local language, which is Jula in Bagassi. 

What will you eat?

From what Peace Corps explains, the meals are very simple: a staple food (rice, millet, yams, sorghum, or maize) served with a sauce. Sounds like an American fad diet to me. Fruits and veggies are a luxury, with only one or two available per season. The mangoes are the best in the world!

What is Burkina Faso's status on sanitation?

I will be drinking water from a pump. I will either have to boil the water or use a special filter provided by Peace Corps...every single time.

If you can't peel it, wash it or heat it, LEAVE IT. 

- General PC rule

I want to thank Kathleen Hitchens (http://peacecorpskathleen.blogspot.com) for letting me steal a lot of her blog ideas:information to spice my blog up! :)