Ouagadougou: Tassere Ouedraogo, a young man decorated with the Firefighters’ Medal of Honor for his heroic act, was the guest of honor at the Faso Mebo Holiday Camp this Sunday. He shared his remarkable story of bravery with the campers, recounting his courageous rescue of a six-year-old girl from a borehole in Pissila.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the incident took place in December 2023, when Tassere was just 13 years old. Despite the risks, he saved a young girl trapped in a narrow and deep borehole in the rural commune of Pissila, located in the Koulse region. “That day was difficult, but I let my courage show, I showed no signs of fear,” Tassere Ouedraogo shared with the audience.
His bravery did not go unnoticed, as the National Fire Brigade awarded him the Firefighters’ Medal of Honor for his selfless act. Tassere recounted that when the incident occurred, members of the 7th Fire and Rescue Company faced challenges due to the borehole’s narrow diameter. His father, recognizing the urgency, called on him to attempt the rescue. “My father called me. He asked me if I could go into the well to save the child,” Tassere explained, highlighting the depth and narrowness of the well.
With his feet tied with a rope, Tassere was lowered into the well upside down. Upon reaching the bottom, he found the child exhausted and managed to secure her with a rope, allowing both to be pulled to safety. His actions exemplified courage and underscored the importance of solidarity among the Burkinabe people. “Our country is currently going through difficult times, but it is through unity, solidarity, and courage that we must work to save our country and build sustainable development for Burkina Faso,” Tassere emphasized to the campers.