Elisha Foundation Begins Operations in Ouagadougou
The Elisha Foundation officially launched its activities on Friday, July 24, 2026, in Ouagadougou, presenting two projects with a combined budget of 442 million CFA francs. The initiatives aim to improve access to health, education, and economic empowerment for women and youth in Burkina Faso, according to a report from the Burkina Information Agency (AIB).
The foundation’s founding president, Sawadogo Jérémie, described the organization as a response to a ‘cry from the heart’ over the hardships faced by vulnerable people. He stated that the foundation intends to intervene in health, education, economic empowerment of women and youth, and the protection of children and the elderly.
Two Projects, Two Focus Areas
The first project, called ‘Maison solidaire’ (Solidarity House), has a budget of 253 million CFA francs and is planned to run for 36 months. According to the foundation, it will support 750 direct beneficiaries. Activities include assistance for 100 displaced or orphaned children, support for 50 elderly individuals, training for 300 women in income-generating activities, and the annual distribution of 900 school and food kits across the national territory.
The second project, ‘Espoir Elisha’ (Elisha Hope), focuses on agro-sylvo-pastoral, forestry, and academic training. With a budget of 189 million CFA francs, it will be implemented at the Digla high school site, approximately 30 kilometers from Ouagadougou. The project plans to train 400 students per year in agroforestry, 20 young people and 100 women in crop and livestock production, and to plant 5,000 forest seedlings over three years.
Foundation’s Legal Status and Vision
The foundation’s executive director, Pierre Ouédraogo, noted that the organization is authorized by decree No. 2026-001 of January 5, 2026, and was published in the Official Gazette No. 20 of May 15, 2026. He described the foundation’s vision as enabling every child, woman, and vulnerable person to live in dignity and become an actor in their community’s development.
Sawadogo Jérémie emphasized that the foundation does not aim to replace state efforts. ‘The Elisha Foundation is not here to replace the efforts of the State. It comes to contribute its stone to the building and work in complementarity with human development actors,’ he declared, adding that the organization is committed to acting with integrity, transparency, and responsibility.
Call for Partnerships
Foundation officials issued an appeal to institutional, technical, and financial partners to support the implementation of their projects for vulnerable populations in Burkina Faso. The launch ceremony brought together representatives from the Ministry in charge of Solidarity, administrative authorities, civil society organization leaders, technical and financial partners, and other guests.