Ambassador's Speech

MCC Girls Threshold Program –
Tangasgo, Central North Region, Burkina Faso
March 9, 2007
(delivered in French and local language)
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Ladies and Gentlemen, Minister of Basic Education, Governor, Members of the Government, representatives of Central North Region, representatives of administrative, traditional and religious organizations, representatives of Non-Governmental Organizations of the consortium BRIGHT, school children and teachers of the school of Tangasgo

Ni yibéogo, Y zak ramba? Laafi bala

First of all, please allow me to extend to you all the greetings and friendship of my country, the United States of America, of the American people and of our President, Mr. George W. Bush.

We are here today to celebrate the visit to Tangasgo by the Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Ambassador Danilovich.  It gives me great pleasure to show him this fine facility, and to introduce him to the students and staff of this school.  I am proud that this school is a gift from the American people to the people of Burkina Faso, and to the Tangasgo community.

This school in Tangasgo is one of 132 schools being constructed by the MCC to promote the education of girls.  The total cost of this program is 6 billion Francs CFA.  It is funded by the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and executed by a consortium of international and local NGOs named BRIGHT.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an American development assistance agency created in 2002 by President George W. Bush.  Its purpose is to finance development projects in those countries which are well governed, actively promote their citizens’ good health and quality education,  fight corruption, and encourage economic freedom.
Burkina Faso is one of these countries.

In my country, we have a saying that “Knowledge is Power.”  The young girls who attend school here -- and in the other131 school complexes being built with MCC funds in 10 Burkinabe provinces -- will gain the moral and intellectual strength that comes from knowledge.  Armed with a good education, these students – the girls and boys in front of me today -- will be empowered to fine a decent job. They will know how to take care of their health and the health of their families, and they will be able to provide a good education for their children, defend their rights, perhaps occupy high level positions in the nation.

I therefore urge you, little girls and little boys of this school of Tangasgo, to attend classes regularly and to be diligent in your school work.

Therefore, dear young girls–You have in front of you 3 women occupying high level positions. You can succeed too.

A Burkinabe proverb says, "Nug bi yend ka wuk d zom yé" ("you cannot collect flour with one finger"). 

Alone, none of us can do anything or accomplish much. But together, we can do almost everything a lot of things. 

That is why the United States is standing by Burkina Faso to improve educational opportunities for young girls.  By choosing to give special attention to promoting girls’ education, the Government of Burkina Faso and the MCC recognize what I and every other woman here knows -- that Burkinabe women and girls are key contributors to the nation’s economic growth and poverty reduction.

Ladies and Gentlmen,

As you know, the government of the United States has accepted Burkina Faso as eligible for the Compact Program of the Millennium Challenge Corporation.  The MCC is currently evaluating proposals made by the Government of Burkina Faso.  The MCC will work closely with the Government of Burkina Faso to put these projects in place. 

Working together, these projects, and the girls primary education program, funded by the MCC, will go a long way to help Burkina Faso overcome poverty and be on a path to sustainable economic growth. 

Thank you.