The mission of the Reading West Africa immersion program is the promotion of solidarity and global understanding through an intense and meaningful academic immersion experience in Burkina Faso. By integrating rigorous academic study with direct immersion with the villagers of Burkina Faso, the program challenges students to understand and engage the complexity of global and local social institutions that reproduce inequality and poverty.
The Santa Clara University Fall Semester Study Abroad/Immersion in Burkina Faso is a study abroad program for students interested in combining academic work on the development challenges of West Africa with immersion and community-based learning experiences in public libraries in small towns and villages in rural areas. Students spend the first six weeks of the program in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, the second six weeks in a rural village in southwestern Burkina Faso, a week of travel in the region, and a final two weeks back in Ouagadougou.
All in-country activities, transportation, meals, lodging and other logistics of the study abroad/immersion are organized by Friends of African Village Libraries (FAVL), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates five village libraries in Burkina Faso and employs a resident staff in Ouagadougou.
The books in this collection were created by students in the Burkina Faso Study Abroad Progam.
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Comment Fabriquer un Oiseau
Kathryn Brand
A guide to making origami for the children of Burkina Faso.
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Comment Eviter La Toux
Kathryn Brand and Boué Leravo Hervé
A useful book on basic hygiene, for children everywhere. Children in Burkina Faso learn how to avoid catching a cold.
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Compter dans la Journée
Lauren Farwel
This delightful counting book from Burkina Faso will be enjoyed by children of all ages, and grown-ups too!
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Quand Je Serai Grand
Lauren Farwel
What will you be when you grow up? Children in a village in Burkina Faso in West Africa tell about their dreams.
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Le Marché de Béréba
Dana Johnston
An introduction to the village of Béréba in Burkina Faso, West Africa.
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Bienvenue à Dimikuy
Declan Malley
An introduction to the village of Dimikuy, in Burkina Faso, West Africa.
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Le Thé à Dimikuy
Declan Malley
A picture book about the tea ceremony that people in Burkina Faso conduct.
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Le Petit Trompeur de Dimikuy
Ezequiel Olvera
A delightful children's book from a village in Burkina Faso. A girl becomes a detective to find out why strange things are happening in the village.
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Un Guide de Créativité
Ezequiel Olvera
A unique guide to creativity, for the children of Burkina Faso.
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L' Ancien Village
Erica Ward and Franck Koura
An introduction to the village of Béréba (or Sansa) in Burkina Faso, West Africa.
