TREAT SCHOOL HANDOVER CEREMONY
Speech of the Ambassador of the United States, Jeanine Jackson
March 28, 2008, Ouagadougou

Ladies and Gentlemen, Minister of Basic Education, Governor, Members of the Government, representatives of TRADE (Training for Development), and Save the Children Canada,

I am pleased to be here today to celebrate the handover of equipment and facilities associated with the Training and Education against Trafficking or TREAT program from the U.S. Department of Labor and Save the Children Canada and TRADE to the Burkinabe Ministry of Basic Education.  This program was created in 2003 with $3,000,000 in financing from the Department of Labor and over $450,000 in financing from partner funds.  Through the TREAT program, TRADE and Save the Children Canada have done tremendous work in the prevention of child trafficking and the education of parents and communities about the problem of trafficking in the region. 
TREAT created 20 new Satellite schools or Non-Formal Basic Education Centers of three classrooms each;
--developed a pertinent and practical curriculum for the Education centers
--conducted teacher training programs;  
--created local Child Trafficking Prevention Committees; and
--established children’s committees to raise awareness about child rights and build leadership skills among youth.

From its creation in 2003 to the completion of the project in 2007, the TRADE centers for education prevented 2,285 children from becoming victims of child trafficking.  In support of TRADE’s continuing work to implement this program, Save the Children Canada has transferred the use of several equipment items to TRADE.  However, all satellite schools, non-formal basic education centers, latrines, wells, and lodging quarters for teachers are being transferred to the Ministry of Basic Education and Literacy of Burkina Faso.  

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The United States recognizes the problem of trafficking in children and is pleased that through this program TREAT continues to fight this scourge through education.  The students who benefit from this program will be better prepared to find meaningful work as an alternative to moving away from home to perform labor in fields and factories.  For each of these accomplishments I thank TRADE, Save the Children Canada, and the Ministry of Basic Education and Literacy of Burkina Faso.  

Madame Minister, It is with great joy that I formally hand over to you today the TREAT schools.   

Thank you.