U.S. Army cadet program strengthens U.S-Burkinabe bonds

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U.S. Army cadet program strengthens U.S-Burkinabe bonds

U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso Andrew R. Young, center, U.S. Army cadets from the Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency Program, and Burkinabe cadets visited and played a soccer game with students from the Lycée Provincial in Pô, Burkina Faso, June 23, 2017. They also presented the students with 42 soccer balls to represent the durable relationship between the two countries, militaries and citizens, as well as shared love of the game. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Embassy in Burkina Faso)

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Photo by: U.S. Embassy in Burkina Faso  

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso -- The friendship between the U.S. and Burkina Faso is reflected in the numerous outreach programs the countries share, including the Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency Program.

The CULP sends cadets from universities across the U.S. to travel in small groups to other nations throughout the world. The goal is to develop more cultural awareness and foreign language proficiency skills. This year, the cadets participated in several cultural events with Burkinabe officer candidates, including the Marathon Altitude Nahouri June 24, the graduation of Burkinabe officers at l’Académie Militaire Georges Namoano July 22, and an outreach event to Lycée Provincial in Pô June 23. The cadets also planted mango trees at the Ziniare orphanage July 5.

The lycée provincial event was an opportunity for local students to discuss with the cadets what it means to be a good citizen and the challenges they confront. At the conclusion of the discussion, the cadets and students played a soccer match. The students received 42 non-deflating soccer balls from the U.S. Embassy and cadets. These durable soccer balls represent the durable relationship between the two countries, militaries and citizens, as well as shared love of the game.