Day 17

1 hour of care for homeless, mentally ill people in Burkina Faso

From the Street Back to Life

Social Support for the Forgotten of Society

The woman sits next to the market stall on the ground, huddled up, with torn clothes and wild hair. "A madwoman," says the market vendor, "I give her something to eat now and then." Blaise Sandouidi approaches the sick woman kindly. He immediately knows how to help her and takes her to the social station. There, she receives a good meal, and the members take care of her personal hygiene. With kind words and patience, they learn the sad story of Awa: She was rejected by her husband when she began hearing voices and behaving 'strangely.' Even her brother couldn't understand the problem, and so she ended up on the streets. ADIG can educate the family about mental illnesses and encourage medical treatment. Today, Awa lives with her husband again and receives the necessary medication. She is happy and shows others affected by mental illness that a normal life is possible.

Reutlingens Oberbürgermeister Thomas Keck stellt dir das Projekt im Video vor

need

Social acceptance, satisfaction of basic needs and medical treatment for mentally ill people

activity

Distribution of 2 meals/day, medical care and personal hygiene for at least 30 people; at least 20 families are reached and supported

Measurable performance

Distribution of 2 meals per day, medical care and personal hygiene for at least 30 people. At least 20 families are reached and supported

Result

The 30 mentally ill people improve their health, at least 20 affected people are taken back in by their families and cared for

Systemically relevant impact

Improved knowledge of medical treatment options and reduction of stigmatization of mentally ill people in the population

background

Mental illnesses are an extremely neglected area of healthcare in Burkina Faso (Maiga D.D. & J. Eaton, 2014). The percentage of the population suffering from conditions like schizophrenia is as high as in Germany (1-2%, DGPPN, 2019), which translates to about 300,000 people nationwide. The government estimates that approximately 41% of citizens are affected by mental disorders (Ministère de la Santé et de l'Hygiène Publique Burkina Faso, 2022). However, there is not only a shortage of psychiatric professionals but also significant social exclusion of those affected: Due to ignorance, they are often believed to be possessed by demons. Labeled as "mad," they are avoided or locked away, and some are even ostracized by their families (Huppertz, M., 2020). They then find themselves on the streets, where, without proper nutrition and shelter, they develop further illnesses, and their mental health worsens. Since the country has been destabilized by terrorist attacks, the situation has further deteriorated: More and more people are fleeing their villages, often with mental health disorders. The military coups in 2022 and the fight against terrorism have led to increased military spending (REN-LAC, 2023), while healthcare remains underfunded. However, in recent years, local organizations have been working to alleviate the suffering of those affected. One such organization is ADIG in Boulsa, which has been working since 2013 to raise awareness about mental illness and provide practical assistance to homeless individuals with mental health issues.

The good deed

Your donation will enable the accompaniment, counseling, and support of 30 chronically mentally ill individuals in Boulsa, who, like Awa, have been abandoned by their families due to their condition. The good deed includes several components, starting with immediate assistance for basic needs, such as food, clothing, and medical care. ADIG also provides temporary shelter in the social center for particularly vulnerable individuals. However, the ultimate goal is to find a permanent solution for those affected. This requires first locating their family members. They will receive counseling on the illness and the available medical treatment options to ensure long-term social acceptance of those suffering from mental health conditions. Care for the mentally ill thus not only secures the survival and dignity of each individual but also raises awareness in Boulsa about the rights and needs of those affected.

About Burkina Faso

Ouagadougou

Capital city

23,251,485

population

as of 2023

874.1

Gross domestic product per capita per year in USD

as of 2023

0.438

Human Development Index (Human Development Index)

as of 2023/2024

Burkina Faso means “land of the upright”. Thomas Sankara, charismatic president from 1983 to 1987, chose this name to underline the people’s pride in their own tradition.

About the organization and further information