It has been an eventful journey since 1977 the year when the first reforestation project was undertaken on the road to Thiou. In the past thirty years, the twin town committee of Vence has continuously developed exchanges between Ouahigouya, and African commune of 65,000 inhabitants, an important site in the province of Yatenga the capital of Mossi.
This town twinning was officially inaugurated in 1979 when Vence renamed one of its streets under the name of Ouahigouya. By associating the German city of Lahnstein, Vence became the first triple towns in the history of twin towns and the fifth oldest twin town in a north/south cooperation.
The inhabitants of Vence discovered this poor arid and isolated county in the heart of Sahel and founded genuine and deep ties with the inhabitants of Ouahigouyens. The actions multiplied ; with priorities in food provisions, education and the construction of schools, health, and maternity hospitals. There is a particularly strong solidarity between the women of the two continents.
Actions undertaken in 2005
Food Aid
In 2005, the municipality of Vence contributed 8000€ in association with Lanhstein, in the fight against famine due to bad harvests, water shortages and locust infestation. The purchase and distribution of 50 tonnes of supplies (sorghum, rice and corn) was organised for the most destitute families of the town and neighbouring villages.
Cultural Development
Vence is also behind the creation of the first library of Burkina Faso. Today it has over 800 members, approximately 111 students use the reading room every day, which is suitable for study and learning.
Purchases and gifts of books and school books for students make up the 600 works already given to the library. At the same time, the Vence media library developed exchanges with the library of Ouahigouya. It welcomes people on work experience and the librarian contributed to the journey of the lecturers of Vence who travelled to meet their African counterparts.
The School Milieu
The twin town committee is actually drawing up plans to renovate the primary schools with the objective of improving the learning conditions of 1120 children ( construction of enclosure walls, sanitaries...).
THE TWIN TOWN COMMITTEE OF THE OUAHIGOUTA/ VENCE WOMEN’S ASSOCATION information : 04 93 58 75 46
