Benjamine Yao/Coulibaly, a passionate nurse, lives In Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso’s economic capital. She works tirelessly at the Maurizio Vlaglini Clinic to support young girls facing sexual and reproductive health challenges. Her mission is simple but powerful: to protect, educate, and empower the next generation of women.
Benjamine’s neighbourhood, Sector 29, is home to many young people. Many girls, due to lack of information or access to services, fall victim to sexual abuse or drop out of school because of early pregnancies. This heightens the risk of sexually transmitted infections and potentially life-threatening complications from unsafe abortions.
“These girls are full of dreams,” Benjamine says. “But often, those dreams end too soon.” One story that still haunts Benjamine happened in 2022. A young, pregnant girl came to her clinic, scared and alone. The girl was under pressure and wanted to terminate her pregnancy but didn’t know how or where to turn. Benjamine offered counselling and emotional support. The girl seemed hopeful.
But just a week later, the worst happened. “She tried an abortion with an unknown medicine her friend gave her,” Benjamine shares with sadness. “When it went wrong, her friend left her. She died from heavy bleeding. I still remember her face.” It’s these tragedies that drive Benjamine’s passion for her work and it’s also what made her partnership with Tiko so meaningful.
In partnership with the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, Tiko connects girls to services that address the triple threat of early pregnancy, HIV and sexual and gender-based violence. Benjamine discovered Tiko in 2023 and quickly embraced their model. Tiko’s mission to use technology to expand access to sexual and reproductive health was exactly what her community needed. Through her clinic, she began offering free services with Tiko’s support, including family planning, HIV testing, and most importantly, counselling and guidance.
What made Tiko different was its accessibility. Girls could find help easily, and services were completely free. Tiko’s digital platform connected them with trained providers like Benjamine, ensuring that no one had to suffer in silence. “Tiko has changed everything,” Benjamine explains. “Through their support, thousands of girls now get the help they need. It’s not just about contraception, it’s about dignity, education, and hope.”
Since Tiko began working with Benjamine’s clinic, the difference has been clear. More girls are staying in school. Fewer are facing complications from unintended pregnancies and slowly, community attitudes are shifting too. “In our culture, a young girl who gets pregnant is often rejected,” Benjamine says. “She might have to stop school. Her family might be ashamed. Tiko helps prevent all of that.”
By giving girls knowledge and control over their bodies, Tiko is helping them reclaim their futures. And the results are real.
“I see young girls who used to be afraid, now walking with confidence. They know their rights. They come in for regular check-ups. They ask questions. That’s empowerment. Looking ahead, Benjamine dreams of a future where every girl in Burkina Faso has access to the care she needs. She wants to see even more partnerships like Tiko’s, and more awareness in her community.
“I wish a wonderful life to every girl who benefits from Tiko.” Despite the many challenges, Benjamine remains hopeful. She believes that with continued support from organisations like Tiko, girls in Bobo-Dioulasso and across Africa will rise above the challenges they face. “They will become nurses, teachers, leaders,” she says. “They will be free to dream again.”
“This story was written by Tiko with consent from Benjamine.