In the village of Nazoanga, located in the commune of Nanoro, the Association of Students and Workers of Nazoanga (ASTN) wrapped up its annual activities on Saturday, August 29, with a day that blended environmental action, public health, and sport. The closing ceremony, which took place under the chairmanship of the Prefect/PDS of the Commune of Nanoro, Nourou Guiguimdé, was reported by the Burkina Information Agency (AIB).
A Day Focused on Health and the Environment
The day’s program began with a tree-planting session, with fruit trees distributed and planted in both private households and public spaces across the village. This initiative was paired with a sweeping operation at the courtyard of the Nazoanga CSPS, the local health facility. The cleanup was specifically aimed at destroying larval breeding sites and other areas that could harbor mosquitoes, a practical step toward reducing the risk of mosquito-borne illness in the community.
The association’s support for the health center went beyond the cleanup. ASTN also donated equipment, trash bins, and hygiene kits to the facility, a contribution intended to support adequate patient care.
Maracana Final Caps the Celebration
The afternoon portion of the ceremony shifted from work to sport, with the grand final of a maracana tournament. The match pitted FC Yilli, playing in yellow-green jerseys, against FC Zaton, in black-white. The game was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout, with Yilli FC emerging victorious with a score of 2 goals to zero.
As champions, Yilli FC took home the trophy, a set of jerseys, a ball, and an envelope of 20,000 FCFA. FC Zaton, as runner-up, received a ball, a set of jerseys, and a sum of 15,000 FCFA.
Leadership Calls for Unity and Continued Development
François Kientega, the president of ASTN, addressed those gathered, thanking everyone who contributed to the success of the ceremony. His remarks focused on the future, calling on the sons and daughters of the village to unite further and continue in the same dynamic of village development. He also directed a specific request to the beneficiaries of the trees, urging them to maintain the plants to ensure a healthy living environment.
“I particularly thank the administrative and village authorities for their immense support, while seeking their accompaniment for the years to come because we want to make ASTN a breeding ground for living together for the development of the commune,” Kientega stressed.
Local Authorities Endorse the Association’s Work
Prefect/PDS Guiguimdé offered his own commendation for the association’s efforts, describing the activities as commendable and the foundation of all development. He saluted, congratulated, and encouraged the association in its work, and promised his support for anything that contributes to the well-being of the population and the development of the commune of Nanoro.
The event in Nazoanga illustrates how local associations in Burkina Faso are leveraging a mix of civic action and recreation to strengthen community ties. By pairing tangible improvements—like tree planting and health facility support—with a unifying sporting event, the ASTN’s closing ceremony served as a practical demonstration of social cohesion at the village level.