Author Archives: Stina Berge

The inside of a computer

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We are at the IT center in Nakamtenga, Burkina Faso, created by our Yennenga Networker Jean Ouoba. The working groups are deeply focused on their computers. They hardly notice that I start taking pictures of them! A week ago, a group from Bessemerskolan in Sandviken arrived. At home they study electricity and energy issues specializing in IT and energy technologies. Two topics of prime importance here, too!

They are two teachers: Kjell and Ingemar, and three students: Alexander, Gustav and Patrick. This is the second time their school has donated computers, now on their way here by boat. (We hope they get here before the group must return to Sweden!)

The Swedish group is giving classes in hardware, ie. the computing machine. The students will learn to install, be able to troubleshoot and repair. The idea is that students will install the new computers (on their way here), as a final test, before they get their diploma. After that they can go out into life with their new computer skills.

In the room there are 20 students from the area, including 6 girls.

The teacher Kjell cuddles when I enter the room: “When we say that it is time for a break, all the students throw themselves over the computers to practice what they just learned! Nobody leaves the room. The students are super motivated and talented! ”

This is one of many exciting projects in Nakamtenga, where young people go courses to broaden their opportunities for self-support and personal development. This center is called “Centre de L’Esprit Ouverte” which means “center of the open mind.” And it is exactly that we feel when we come into this room!

And this is not the only course our friends from Sandviken is giving while here. They are working in more villages and are making the most of their time here! They give tips of fun educational programs, to add to Jean Ouobas computer classes. They have brought movies that they show in the evenings in the computer room and they have even brought karaoke!

Many thanks to Kjell and Ingemar and their students for their commitment and for sharing their knowledge. And many thanks to Jean who organizes the course here in Nakamtenga, and thanks to all the students here in Nakamtenga who every day take big steps forward and who work hard to achieve results.

It is a pleasure to be here.

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Yennenga Progress Cup – football at its best!

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The desert winds called harmatan, made the sand swirled and colored the sky pink. The ambiance was high when the crowd began to gather before the big event: Yennenga Progress Cup!

In the village Nakamtenga, in Burkina Faso, a group of young people has started a football club. Here, as everywhere in the world football is a unifying force.

And now it was time for Yennenga Progress Cup! The theme was “Sports and Education” and the idea is that this soccer tournament is the first step to gather young people to courses and community events to create a platform for further education and the creation of small businesses, etc. We want to support young people in their organizing activities and develop a concept to seize their commitment and enthusiasm. The idea is to hold Yennenga Progress Cup each year to come!

The governor, representatives from the provincial government, an MP from the area, military, and religious leaders gathered along with about a thousand spectators. And soon came the teams! The team from Nakamtenga was dressed with soccer outfit from a football club in Taby, Sweden.

Yennenga Progress Cup, is a very good name! Yennenga is a princess in a legend from the 1400 th from this area. If one were to summarize how the princess Yennenga is we get the following:

  • Yennenga has talent and a good heart.
  • Yennenga stands for innovation and courage.
  • Yennenga challenges limiting norms.
  • Yennenga asks for help to succeed.
  • Yennenga is a good role model and encourages others’ potentials.

Just as it is with football! As a footballer, you must:

• Have talent and a good heart

• You need to think in new ways so that the opposing team gets a surprise!

• Through football we can get away from restrictive norms: football builds bridges between countries, languages, and cultures.

• In football you have to pass the ball! Everyone is needed! If a player just keeps the ball for himself, he will not get far on the field … In football you have to ask for help to succeed. The whole team is important.

• You as a football player also have an important role as a role model. Other people will see you and be inspired. Especially the younger ones. You can represent a healthy life, morality and responsibility. In football – just as in life – we reach the top if we also know to lift each other.

Sometimes sand swirling on the football field so that we could hardly see the ball! And after an exciting match Nakamtenga won 2-1!

The celebration continued late into the night and we all felt: this is just the starting point!

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Happy Women’s Day

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Today I was invited to Långholmens college to hold a 8-March speech. It is a school which initially targeted primarily women,  and mostly women with immigrant backgrounds. Today, there is also an increasing number of men at the school.

I started my speech by telling the story of Princess Yennenga and what she stands for:

  • Yennenga has talent and a good heart.
  • Yennenga stands for innovation and courage.
  • Yennenga challenges limiting norms.
  • Yennenga asks for help to succeed.
  • Yennenga is a good role model and encourages others’ potentials.

She is a female role model, but her values ​​are universally human. The world is full of great people. Both men and women. Historically we have been better on emphasizing great men, so today I focused on emphasizing on a dozen amazing women who are part of our network and who have all the qualities Yennenga stands for!

No matter where we come from, what economic situation we have, what religion, educational background, gender, etc., there are ideas, dreams and wishes. If we pause to allow ourselves to see beyond the stereotypes of gender, poverty and vulnerability: we will find an invaluable treasure.

If we could only focus on permitting and providing the right conditions for each other to bloom, there is a natural potential for a great princess in us all!

Happy Women’s Day, I wish all dear Yennenga Networkers - women and men around the world!

The Yennenga qualities are universally human - seize them and cherish them!

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