Synopsis
600 children were sent to Cuba for education under Thomas Sankara's government in Burkina Faso, but many were stranded after his assassination.
Synopsis
On Cuba's Isle of Youth, 600 children, many of them orphans, received education and training under the revolutionary government of Thomas Sankara in the 1980s. After Sankara's assassination in 1987, these children found themselves stranded, with the last returning to Burkina Faso in 2005. Sankara's Orphans features interviews with some of these individuals, alongside archival footage of their lives in Cuba. The new regime in Burkina Faso feared their idealism and military training, worried they might return to challenge the government.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- Meet the 600 children sent to Cuba by Sankara.
- Find out about life on Cuba’s Isle of Youth.
- See how education turned into fear for Burkina Faso's regime.
Did You Know
- 600 children were sent to Cuba for education by Thomas Sankara.
- The last of the children returned to Burkina Faso in 2005.
- Children received weapons training while living in Cuba.
Perfect For
Frequently Asked Questions
What year did Thomas Sankara come to power in Burkina Faso?
Thomas Sankara came to power in Burkina Faso in 1983.
How many children were sent to Cuba for education under Sankara's regime?
Sankara sent 600 children to be educated in Cuba.
When did the last of Sankara's orphans return to Burkina Faso?
The last of Sankara's orphans returned to Burkina Faso in 2005.
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