Who We Are

Friends of Guirgho is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation founded by a group of supporters of Burkina Faso and the United States, united by a shared vision: to partner with rural communities and expand educational opportunities for children in rural public schools across Burkina Faso. By leveraging 21st-century technology, we are building a blueprint in the village of Guirgho that provides access to proven educational tools from preschool through high school, which can then be replicated throughout the country.

All members of Friends of Guirgho are dedicated volunteers, and 100% of the funds raised go directly toward achieving our objectives.

What We Do

Our Mission

Friends of Guirgho seeks to transform the mindset around education in rural villages of Burkina Faso by partnering with rural public schools, emphasizing the importance of applying resources and technology at the earliest stages. Our model fosters the continued development of each child’s imagination, empowering them to achieve their fullest creative potential, whether academic, vocational, or artistic.

The Story

Burkina Faso, a small but vibrant country in West Africa, is home to a rich culture where warmth, respect, and unity among different religious and ethnic groups are part of everyday life. Despite these strengths, the country faces deep educational challenges, with one of the lowest literacy rates in the world.

In the rural village of Guirgho as in other rural villages, teachers work tirelessly, often managing classrooms of 50-100 children with varying abilities. Resources are often scarce, and textbooks, when available, are sometimes outdated and insufficient. The chalkboard remains the primary teaching tool, requiring teachers to write out entire lessons by hand.

Friends of Guirgho believes these children deserve better. Providing access to technology is not just about learning a skill, it’s about giving them a window to the world, a chance to grow, explore, and redefine their futures. With the right tools, they can become the innovators who uplift their families, strengthen their communities, and create solutions for their country and beyond.

Friends of Guirgho believes that greater access to technology will result in a larger pool of potential innovators able to meet the challenges facing their families, their communities, their country and the world.

Every child deserves a chance to thrive. This project is about ensuring they don’t just imagine a future but are given the power to build it.

Our Definition of Education

At Friends of Guirgho, we believe that education is more than textbooks and classrooms, it’s a lifelong journey sparked by curiosity, creativity, and connection.

Meaningful learning often comes from unexpected places: a story shared by an elder, a moment of discovery in a garden, a dream, a piece of art. Inspiration is everywhere. By recognizing and embracing these unconventional sources early, children become better learners for life.

Our mission is to create environments where children can explore, imagine, and grow, where they can tap into the endless opportunities around them and develop the critical thinking skills necessary to reach their full potential.