Burkina Faso

23m

Residents of the country

40%

Are below the poverty line

65%

Are under 30 years old

2.5 years

Average number of years in school

61 years

Life expectancy at birth

ABC School in Burkina Faso

In September 2008, the couple Hinrik Þorsteinsson and Guðný Ragnhildur Jónasdóttir founded ABC Children's Aid in Burkina Faso and the school Ecole ABC de Bobo was established in the city of Bobo-Dioulasso, which is the second largest city in Burkina Faso with approximately 1,000,000 inhabitants.

The couple managed the school and development work together with the deputy director, Kadi Bambara.

Since 2015, the couple Haraldur Pálsson and Jóhanna Sólrún Norðfjörður have done a lot of development work in the area, they then took over the management of the work in 2023, they are now responsible for managing the school and development work together with Kadi. In total, almost 90 employees are involved in the school work, all of whom are natives.

The building used for the school's first three years was borrowed and renovated for the purpose. In March 2011, the school moved into new premises consisting of 6 classrooms and housing almost 400 children in grades 1 to 6. The school's facilities are constantly expanding and the number of students is increasing in line with this. In 2026, the number of students has reached 1414 and ABC Children's Aid supports over 800 children for education. The school is located right next to the Quenzeville slum on the outskirts of the city and the children come from extremely poor homes. At the school, the children receive school supplies, school uniforms and a hot meal at 12:00. In addition, there is health care on site.

Graduation

In June 2014, the first group of 33 children graduated from primary school, a total of 6th grade. A secondary school has been established and in the fall of 2014, 33 students began their studies in the first year of secondary school (7th grade in the Icelandic school system).

In January 2016, computer classes began at the school. This was only possible due to the goodwill of companies and individuals who have supported ABC over the years by donating computers and accessories. Computer classes elevate the curriculum to a higher level and greatly increase the students' job opportunities after graduation. There is a vocational education department for children who have difficulty gaining a foothold in traditional schooling. Among other things, sewing lessons, studies in steelwork and furniture making are offered there. Music lessons are also offered at the same location. In 2022, the first students began their studies at university.

new building

Construction of a three-story secondary school was completed in 2017 and extensive construction has taken place in the area, including the installation of an even larger water tank and the addition of more solar panels. Staff facilities have been improved, a larger dining hall has been put into use and kitchen facilities have been greatly improved. In 2018, a kindergarten was built and in 2019, 4-5 year old children began attending school there.

In 2019, a girls' home was built in Lífland, where an agricultural school is run. A new water tower was added to the school grounds and water pipes were laid in the school and in Lífland. In 2020, solar cells and batteries were added, and in 2025, the upper secondary school was built and 8 new classrooms for the older grades of the primary school and the upper secondary school, along with a teacher's office, were put into use. The school has a good collaboration with the university in the area, and ABC students pursue postgraduate studies there.

The development has therefore been very extensive in the area, with the number of students increasing significantly and activities increasing significantly.

• The school year is from the beginning of October to the end of June.
• The school in Bobo is run with funding from ABC Children's Aid.
• The sponsorship money comes from the children's sponsors at the school.