Ganzourgou: Fourteen children aged 6 to 15 received their certificates of participation on Thursday, September 4, 2025, in Zorgho, at the end of a 7-day painting training course organized as part of the ‘Utile pinceau’ project. This took place during a ceremony held in sector 6 of Zorgho, in the presence of administrative authorities, partners, and parents of students.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the initiative was spearheaded by Augustin Kabore, the director of “Wenamdao Service,” who is also a primary school teacher and self-taught painter. The project was supported by the Hirondelle Foundation. Over the course of a week, the children learned to draw and paint on boards, paper, and various other media.
Mr. Kabore described the workshop as a space for awakening, creativity, and the transmission of values. “Each work painted by the children is a story, an emotion, and a message,” he stated. He highlighted that some participants might pursue this profession further through internships. He expressed his gratitude to the learners for their dedication and to the parents for their trust, extending his thanks to local authorities and partners for their support.
Harouna Karambiri, the province’s secretary general, representing the high commissioner, praised the initiative, noting its role in identifying and mentoring future talents in the visual arts. Quoting painter Eug¨ne Delacroix: “Art is not the representation of a beautiful thing, but the beautiful representation of a thing,” he expressed hope for the continuation and expansion of the initiative.
Albert Tarpaga, director of Laafi radio in Zorgho, considered the project “innovative” for providing children with the opportunity to learn a trade and express themselves.
One of the participants, Sefoura Souli, shared her experience of learning to draw scenes from everyday life, such as an old woman carrying a load or a canary wearing a calabash. She committed to continue practicing to improve her skills.