BWEF News

2025

24 June 2025

Fred Eckhard interviewed Roberte in 2017 when she applied for BWEF funding. Roberte said at the time that she wanted to be a doctor. Fred didn't think he'd live to see it. Well, Fred did, and so did Roberte.

BWEF supported Roberte throughout her 7-years of studies which she completed in 2024. She also did an internship in the trauma unit of a major hospital in Ouagadougou in 2024 while working on her thesis which she successfully defended in June 2025. She is now Dr. Roberte.

Congratulations, Roberte!

15 April 2025

BWEF’s adopted girls’ soccer team in Ougadougou has been going from strength to strength, emerging as champions in a recent tournament.

BWEF offered their coach Boubié support for the team as long as the girls maintained good academic performance. With BWEF donations covering soccer gear and school supplies for the girls, the team improved steadily, and coach Boubié began holding annual award ceremonies that gained media coverage.

Since 2021, Boubié has selected one girl from the team each year for a BWEF university scholarship. Guémilatou majored in topography and is now, with BWEF's help, pursuing a Master’s. Zilfadzou is finishing her undergraduate degree in agri-food. Cynthia studies human resources management. And in 2025, BWEF began supporting Wassinatou, a student in agronomy.

Go girls!

23 Mars 2025

Norm McIntosh visited Burkina Faso from 27 January to 17 February 2025. As Norm served in the US Peace Corps teaching in Burkina Faso from 2012 to 2014, he planned a nostalgic visit in January 2025 to reconnect with old friends there. At the same time, he met with BWEF students and other people working with BWEF in Ouagadougou, Koudougou and Fado. To read more about his trip and his meetings, click here.