Ganzourgou: SOMISA offers scholarships to two girls admitted to the 2024 baccalaureate session in the commune of Boudry

Aminata Pitroipa and Abasse Wangraoua, two young high school graduates from the commune of Boudry signed a scholarship agreement with the Société des mines de Sanbrado (SOMISA) on September 25, 2024. It was in the meeting room of the town hall of Boudry, during a ceremony chaired by the high commissioner of the province of Ganzourgou, Mrs. Aminata Sorgho / Gouba and in the presence of the departmental authorities of Boudry, education stakeholders and SOMISA executives. Aminata Pitroipa and Abasse Wangraoua, admitted to the baccalaureate series D, 2024 session with respective averages of 13.58 and 12.71, were selected by SOMISA, among the ten best students of the high schools of the commune of Boudry to benefit from a scholarship. Their ambitious study projects also attracted the mining company. The signed agreements guarantee these two students financial support for the first three years of their higher education, including payment of tuition fees and access to the necessary tools. According to SOMISA's Di rector of Community Relations, Assane Ouédraogo, these scholarships are part of a scholarship program intended each year for the two best high school graduates (one girl, one boy) in the commune of Boudry. This support aims to encourage academic excellence in the commune and promote academic success. SOMISA's Senior Human Resources Business Partner, Aurélia Bassinga, specified the rigorous criteria for receiving these scholarships: being among the best students in the commune, presenting a solid academic record and a thoughtful study project. In addition to financial support, students benefit from practical training adapted to their field, including internships within the company from the second year, training in English, public speaking, IT tools, as well as a driving license. Although the scholarships do not guarantee employment at SOMISA, according to Assane Ouédraogo, they will make the beneficiaries competent in their fields and employable wherever needed. After signing, each scholarship recipient rece ived a laptop equipped with software specific to their field of study, symbolizing the beginning of a new stage in their academic journey. The principal of the Nédogo high school, Abdou Razako Sombougma, welcomed this initiative, calling it a lever for promoting excellence in the commune's establishments. Through this scholarship program launched in 2022, four students benefited from SOMISA's support. These two lucky winners bring the number of scholarship recipients in the commune of Boudry to 6 with an investment from the company estimated at more than 30 million FCFA. For Assane Ouédraogo, this initiative goes beyond simple financial support. "We believe in education as a fundamental lever for the development of local communities. Our scholarships are an investment in the potential of Boudry's youth." he explained. High Commissioner Aminata Sorgho/Gouba welcomed SOMISA's initiative and congratulated the winners. She advocated for the extension of the program, in particular to cover additional needs such as housing and food. One of the beneficiaries, Abasse Wangraoua, expressed his gratitude and pledged to excel in his mining engineering studies which he will pursue at a private university in Ouagadougou. He encouraged his classmates to aim for excellence to seize such opportunities. Source: Burkina Information Agency