Over half of Burkina Faso's population of 16.7 million are under the age of 17, however very few if any, will live to see their 60th birthday, with a life expectancy of just  53.7 years. Education for children in Burkina Faso is compulsory between the ages of seven and fourteen, however there is no enforcement regime and enrolment rates are poor, particularly for girls who are often kept at home to help run the household and perform chores. For example in one year, only 35% of all eligible primary school age children were enrolled at school and just 8% actually attended secondary school. Figures are far higher in urban areas.

As in many countries, Burkina Faso has its fair share of street children. With over 100,000 children there orphaned by AIDS alone, many, some as young as seven, drift into urban areas, others arrive after their parents migrate to find work or they are simply pushed out by their families because of poverty. In one year alone it was estimated that 18% of the country's entire population were orphans or abandoned children.

The video documentary above explores life for children in Burkina Faso.