Successes and Perspectives: 2024 at the Opera Village

2024 Once Again Showed Us How Much We Can Achieve with Our Holistic Approach in Education, Health, and Culture

Despite the challenges faced in a country like Burkina Faso, marked by political uncertainties and often lacking international support, 2024 was a year of progress for Opera Village Africa. We made significant strides and laid the groundwork for future initiatives. Reflecting on our achievements fills us with pride—and above all, motivates us to keep moving forward!

Education: A Year of Success for the Next Generation

Once again in 2024, our school ranked among the best in the country. We are immensely proud that all our students successfully completed their final exams and are now moving on to higher education. Our integrative approach, which combines education with creativity, continues to be a cornerstone of our success.

Our extracurricular arts program once again proved its value, offering children and young people new ways to unlock their potential and actively shape their world. For the future, we aim to expand our educational offerings by introducing programs focused on digital education and environmental awareness, allowing us to reach even more young people in the region.

Health: A Focus on Prevention and Care

In 2024, our health clinic remained a central hub for medical care in the Ziniaré region. Beyond acute care, we intensified our focus on preventive measures, from family planning workshops to early disease detection.

We are especially proud of our partnership with Berlin’s Charité Hospital, which allowed us to train healthcare workers and midwives. These efforts are making a lasting impact, particularly in improving maternal and newborn care in the region. In the coming years, we plan to further expand our preventive programs, placing a special emphasis on raising health awareness within the local community.

Culture: Creativity as a Bridge

In 2024, art and culture once again took center stage in our projects. Our annual Children’s Film Festival, KIFIFE, provided young people in the region with access to the world of cinema, inspiring them to discover their creative talents.

A key highlight of the year was our Artist-in-Residence program, which operated under the theme “Art as Participation in Social Discourse.” This initiative promoted the inclusion of the local population in creative processes.

For over a decade, Opera Village has been a hub of intercultural exchange and societal dialogue. In 2024, visiting artists collaborated with local partner organizations to lead interactive workshops on vital topics such as media literacy, gender equity, and intercultural dialogue. These projects not only offer the local population new opportunities but also encourage creative approaches to addressing societal issues. By fostering cultural exchange, the program has an impact that extends far beyond Burkina Faso.

We are committed to continuing this approach in the years to come, implementing projects that strengthen the region’s identity and inspire fresh perspectives.

Photo: Christopher Nelson Obuh