THE BARKA FOUNDATION INC

ACTIVITIES IN MENSTRUAL HEALTH AND HYGEINE, EDUCATION PROGRAM, AND WATER SERVICES ARE DETAILED AS FOLLOWS:MENSTRUAL HEALTH AND HYGEINEBARKA CONDUCTED A FOLLOW-UP STUDY OF ITS AFRIC'UP:YA SOMA PILOT IMPLEMENTED IN BURKINA FASOIN 2021-2022. THE STUDY CONSISTED OF SURVEYS, FOCUS GROUPS, AND IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS TO GAUGE WHETHER WOMEN WERE STILL USING MENSTRUAL CUPS THE RECEIVED 18 MONTHS AFTER THE PILOT IMPLEMENTATION. THIS LONGER TERM OUTCOME WAS VITAL TO DETERMINE AS BARKA FOUNDATION DEVELOPS ITS 2ND STAGE OF THE CUPS INTERVENTIONIN BURKINA FASO. THE RESULTS WE ATTAINED SHOWED THAT THE MAJORITY OF WOMEN WERE CONTINUING TO USE THEIR CUPS 18 MONTHS AFTER THE PILOT.EDUCATION PROGRAMIN 2023, BARKA FOUNDATION THROUGHT A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION PAID FOR A MEAL PLAN FOR 100 SCHOOLGIRLS AND SCHOOLBOYS IN DESPERATE NEED OF FOOD. THIS PROGRAM ALLOWS THE STUDENTS TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE MEAL A DAY AT THE CANTEEN OF THE SCHOOL. NAMOUNGOU HIGH SCHOOL WAS THE FIRST TO BENEFIT FROM IT. THE PROGRAM ALSO BENEFITTED THE LYCEE POLYVALENT COMMUNAL DE FADA N'GOURMA.WATER SERVICESFADA WATER PROJECT: THIS WATER AND GARDENING PROJECT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED IN 2023, TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN 2024. BARKA PLANS TO ACQUIRE A PLOT OF LAND WHERE WE WILL DRILL A WELL AND ORGANIZE WOMEN AND MEN TO CULTIVATE A LARGE COMMUNITY GARDEN. THIS IS MEANT TO HELP AND SUPPORT MAINLY INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE (IDP'S) DUE TO THE INSCURITY IN THE REGION.ROTARY WATER PROJECT: THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION THROUGH CRYSTAL CLUB IN OUAGADOUGOU, IS COLLABORATING WITH FONDATION BARKA TO PROVIDE CLEAN WATER TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN TWO VILLAGES AND THE CTY OF FADA N'GOURMA WHERE THE NEED IS CRUCIAL DUE TO THE MASSIVE INFLUX OF IDP'S DUE TO TERRORISM IN THE EASTERN REGION. DURING 2023 THIS PROJECT IS BEING DEVELOPED AND GOING THROUGH THE NECESSARY APPROVAL PROCESS FOR THE GRANT CONSIDERATION WITHIN ROTARY FOUNDATION.STRATEGIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSITION TO FONDATION BARKAThis year, after 18 years of success and achievement in Burkina Faso, The BARKA Foundation has passed the torch to Fondation BARKA, which since 2009 is established as an independent association in Burkina Faso. Fondation BARKA has functioned as BARKA Foundations affiliate since its inception, carrying out the work on the ground and implementing all of BARKAs projects. In 2023, in order to create administrative and financial efficiencies, and to put donors investments to even better work, the US Board decided to transfer the leadership - i.e., the operational and administrative responsibilities - to Fondation BARKA. BARKA Foundation in the US will continue to exist as a 501c3 in the US, while handing the strategic, functional and administrative leadership of the organization to its local entity and the tried and tested loyal team of local Burkinab who have worked with BARKA Foundation for almost two decades.