Students to celebrate, first catfish fingerlings, cucumbers — and a few sights along the way

Two LAP students among Burkina Faso’s best

A very good way to end my latest stay in Burkina Faso. Each year, some of the country’s best secondary-school students receive a Prize of Excellence. This year, two students from the LAP received the prize for their results in the BAC PRO Agricole examination. They each received a cash award and a laptop. Congratulations to both of them!

NEXT: We are now preparing for the new school year, which starts on 14 September.

More technical studies for Burkina’s young people?

At the award ceremony, the President questioned why more than 70% of students choose literary studies (BAC A), while only about 30% choose science-oriented studies (BAC C and D). He encouraged more young people to move towards technical fields with employment opportunities — technicians, engineers, accountants and others.

Agricultural education at the LAP fits very well with this direction.

A first at the Ferme de Léna

Our first catfish fingerlings! The number produced was still modest because the broodstock were only about 600 g, but it is an important first step.

Cucumbers are coming

Cucumber production has also started in the greenhouse. The plants are developing well — and, as always, the next challenge is turning production into sales.

Back to the Netherlands — the long way

There are still no direct flights from Bobo-Dioulasso to Europe, so my journey home was Bobo → Ouagadougou → Brussels → Amsterdam. It takes time.

Work is under way to increase the capacity of Bobo airport, with a new runway and new buildings. Unfortunately, I do not think flights to Europe will be the first priority!

Pictures along the way

Sayings of the week

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
— Mark Twain

“The mind acts like an enemy for those who do not control it.”
— Bhagavad Gita

Next weekly notes in October.

Hope you are all well.

Hervé