Promoting Autonomy and Human Dignity

In the heart of Burkina Faso, where the sun rises over a thousand and one hopes, members of ATD Fourth World have revived a cherished tradition through a three-day soap-making workshop at the Courtyard of 100 Trades. This workshop transformed a practical craft into an opportunity to strengthen autonomy, dignity, and solidarity.

Using our collective intelligence to build a shared vision

The workshop was about much more than producing soap. It brought people together to learn new skills, share knowledge, and discover their own capacities. By working side by side, participants combined practical skills with collective intelligence to produce more than 165 bars of soap. Each bar represented more than a useful household item. It symbolised a step towards greater self-reliance and a stronger future for families and children experiencing poverty.

As Mariam Nsakara reflected:

“We did a good job over those three days. We should continue down this path. I pray to God that He gives us the strength and love to become even closer to one another”.

Her words reflect the participants’ determination to build stronger communities where mutual support and dignity can flourish.
Two other participants, Jean-Marie and Samuel, shared a similar observation:

“We were all in it together. We’d already done the same thing the year before, so now I’m sure that I can build a better life for myself — it’s in my own hands”.

Their confidence illustrates how access to practical knowledge gives people from vulnerable communities the means to take action.

The workshop enabled families to acquire new skills while reinforcing their ability to become active advocates of change in their own lives. The soap they produced was also used during Mo’Cool Day at the Courtyard of 100 Trades, a weekly gathering where children living on the streets can shower, wash their clothes, play games, share a meal, or simply rest in a safe and welcoming environment. In this way, the project created a positive cycle: participants gained practical skills, built confidence, and laid the groundwork for exploring income-generating activities while directly supporting vulnerable children.

Sharing knowledge and inspiring others

Among the many people involved, one person stood out: Sophie, an activist whose determination inspired those around her. Despite living with a disability, she pursued her education with remarkable perseverance. Today she generously shares the knowledge she has gained, not to distinguish herself from others, but to light the way forward for all.

• Mariam Zongo expressed her gratitude: “I give thanks to God, to Jean-Marie for supporting his wife Sophie in her endeavour, and to Sophie for sharing her knowledge with us. That’s solidarity, in the true sense of the word”.

Sophie embodies the very spirit of ATD Fourth World: refusing to let physical or social challenges become insurmountable barriers. Through her courage and generosity, she demonstrates that the work to overcome poverty is also a struggle for equality, inclusion, and recognition.

Mother Buntou echoed this spirit of solidarity:

• “I pray to God that we remain a close-knit family, united in heart. I invite everyone to get involved and come along to future meetings. Many thanks to Sophie, our teacher, who has been at our side from the beginning to the end”.

Her words emphasise the importance of communication and mutual support in creating sustainable, lasting change.

This initiative is deeply rooted in ATD’s philosophy, which seeks to ensure that poverty is no longer regarded as inevitable. It is also a powerful reminder of the wisdom shared by the elders: “We are 100 times stronger when we pool our knowledge”. In this spirit, soap, a simple everyday necessity, became a symbol of healing and rebirth — both for those who learned to make it and for those who would ultimately use it.

Élise emphasised the self-discipline and commitment needed to make the most of the opportunity:

“Many thanks to Sophie for sharing her expertise with us  — a wonderful gift. Sophie has given up her time to teach us, so it is important that we do all we can to learn from her”.

Promoting autonomy through collective action

The workshop was about far more than making soap. It brought people together, strengthened relationships, and became an invaluable component of ATD’s campaign against social injustice. In Burkina Faso, where communities face many challenges, small initiatives based on solidarity are the seeds from which lasting change can grow.

After three days at the Courtyard of One Hundred Trades, the participants left with far more than soap. They carried with them a renewed conviction that charitable aid alone is not enough, but that poverty can be overcome by sharing knowledge, fostering self-reliance, and upholding the dignity of every person.

By combining practical skills with collective intelligence, the workshop demonstrated that a nation’s true strength lies in its ability to nurture people’s potential, reveal hidden talents, and build genuine solidarity, day by day.

Through this initiative, ATD activists in Burkina Faso have shown that collective action can restore hope and reaffirm human dignity. They have reminded us that every action counts and that every act of sharing knowledge is a step towards empowerment. Rich in tradition and strengthened by solidarity, Africa has the resources and resilience to build a brighter future.

The hope is that this workshop will plant seeds that take root and flourish in the hearts of people across Africa. May the soap-making workshop in Burkina Faso inspire other families, communities, and movements, each in their own way, to work towards a future in which poverty is no longer seen as inevitable. Above all, may this endeavour remain a shared one, guided by knowledge, goodwill, and, ultimately, by love.
Toussaint