Thomas Sankara, The Upright Man

Not so long ago, in a country once called Upper Volta, there lived a young and energetic leader named Thomas Sankara. He was a very honest man who believed his country should be proud of itself. He changed the name of his country to Burkina Faso, which means 'The Land of Upright Men.' Thomas didn't want his people to rely on others; he wanted them to be strong and independent.

Thomas Sankara loved nature. He told everyone to plant trees, and together they planted millions of them to stop the desert from spreading. He also believed that women and men should be treated equally, and he worked hard to make sure girls could go to school just like boys. He rode a bicycle instead of a fancy car to show that a leader should live simply, just like everyone else. Thomas Sankara teaches us that true greatness comes from being honest, respecting nature, and treating everyone fairly.