馃嚙馃嚝Burkina FasoWest Africa
From military dreams to furniture making: Jacques Sawadogo's journey after losing his sight
via Lefaso.net6 min read
Jacques Sawadogo, a 26-year-old from Kaya, Burkina Faso, lost his sight in a mining accident in July 2023, an event that drastically altered his life's trajectory. After failing his BEPC exam in 2018, Sawadogo, whose childhood dream was to join the military, began working in mining sites in C么te d'Ivoire and later in Zorgho, Burkina Faso, against his mother's wishes. While working as a "tamper," placing explosives, a premature explosion caused him to lose his vision, his left little finger, and fingernail matrices. Following the accident, Sawadogo was hospitalized for two months, enduring intense pain and suicidal thoughts. However, with the support of friends and family, he found the strength to persevere. In February 2024, he joined an association for the visually impaired, where he learned Braille and then underwent a four-month training program. Since January 2025, he has been making slatted beds, chairs, and tables, an activity that provides his daily income despite the challenges posed by his visual impairment and finger injuries. Sawadogo views his new profession as a testament to his resilience. He advises young people against abandoning school and warns them about the dangers of artisanal mining, expressing regret over his own past choices. Though he never fulfilled his dream of wearing a military uniform, Sawadogo now faces a different kind of battle, demonstrating the spirit of a true warrior.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Lefaso.net.
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