With support of UNHCR, 10 refugees artists and craftsmen took part in the 2012 edition of SIAO (Salon International de l’Artisanat de Ouagadougou). This is event is better known by its French name as SIAO (Le Salon International de L Artisanat de Ouagadougou) and is one of Africa's most important trade shows for art and handicrafts. The refugee participants in this important international event in Burkina Faso's cultural scene, equally represented the locations where Malian refugees live in Burkina Faso: Bobo-Dioulasso, Djibo and Ouagadougou. The Refugee Agency provided the initial investment for their participation as well as the transport of their arts and handicrafts to the event. The refugees displayed a variety of hand made items, which included: traditional tuareg jewelries made of leather and silver, small chests made of wood and camel leather, bottle openers, rings and, of course: the world famous tuareg turbans.

According to refugee Adam Ag Boubacar who spearheaded the mobilization of refugees in Somgande camp: "This has been one of our happiest day since our arrival in Burkina Faso. The participation in SIAO has given us hope that better days are to come."

One of the operation's gaps in Burkina Fas has been finding projects in the area of income generation and empowerment. With so many talented refugees, the UNHCR will continue to look for opportunities that can capitalize on the refugees' talents.