Ambassador Tulinabo Mushingi and several members of the U.S. Mission traveled to Fada N’Gourma for the 6th Edition of the “American Road Show” January 9-10, 2014.
Day 1 began with a courtesy call on the Governor of the Region, Mr. Bertin Somda followed by a visit to the American Corner where the Ambassador met with approximately 200 local youth including students and business leaders and shared the Embassy vision and policy about youth. He also urged the youth to apply for the Washington Fellowship/YALI program.
Day 2 of the American Road show began with the official launching ceremony of the “Improved Malaria Control” (IMC) program. The IMC launching ceremony featured speeches by Lene Segbo, Minister of Health, and Ambassador Tulinabo Mushingi who both stressed the importance of improved malaria diagnosis, treatment and prevention in order to support a healthier and more economically prosperous Burkina. Malaria is the leading cause of hospitalizations and deaths in Burkina Faso. Funded by the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the 5-year, $15 million dollar program will improve malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment in addition to increasing the National Malaria Control Program’s technical capacity to plan, design, manage and coordinate a comprehensive malaria control program.
After the IMC project launch, the Ambassador and his team visited an “Ambassador’s Self-Help Project” implemented by the “Baani Yibidi Women’s Association” in Fada N’Gourma. The women’s association, created in 2007 to help assist women and children suffering from complications with HIV/AIDS, received a small grant to purchase and install “complex mills” and other small factory items to process peanut butter, shea butter and cereal meal. This project has been very successful, having enabled the association to sell products produced on the open market and then re-invest those funds back into the same income generating activities.
These projects illustrate activities supported by the American people that advance equitable and sustainable economic growth in Burkina Faso.
Ambassador Tulinabo Mushingi and his spouse arrived in Burkina Faso in September 2013.
