A tribute to Isabelle Pelletier

Isabelle Pelletier had been an Oxfam-Québec volunteer in Burkina Faso for nearly two years when she died of cerebral malaria on November 25, 2006. She was engaged as an organizational adviser in literacy and health, working with several hundred women in the community of Zabré, 180 km from the capital, Ouagadougou.

A native of Québec, Isabelle was 33 years old, and her colleagues in the field knew her as a very dynamic and generous person. "Isabel was really committed and fully devoted to the cause and to her partners", says Philippe Massé, Oxfam-Québec representative in Burkina Faso. "She had a gift for communicating and for bonding with people. She readily made friends, both among the local people and with other volunteers." A little community hall will be named the “Salle Aïda-Pelletier”in her memory.

The entire Oxfam-Québec team was deeply saddened by this news and extended their sincerest sympathy to Isabelle's family, to all the Oxfam-Québec team in Burkina Faso, and to the people of the community with whom she worked.

We cherish the memory of a devoted, courageous and open-minded young woman who put all her heart into changing world.