The Ivory Coast, traditionally a prosperous and stable country, is going through some turbulent times. Difficulties began in 1993 with the death of the architect of their independence and their subsequent president, Houphoët Boigny.
A short while before, a deep economic recession began which was caused largely by the fall in the prices of commodities, such as coffee and cocoa. The country suffered its first coup d’état in 1999 and today, following an armed rebellion in the north and the west of the country in 2002, its territory has been divided and its economic activity has greatly deteriorated.
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Abidjan, with over three million inhabitants, is the economic capital of the country. For quite some time it has been receiving a constant flow of immigrants who are escaping the zones in which violence persists and settling in the outskirts of the city, where living conditions are much deteriorated.
The hope of finding work constantly drives the more disadvantaged population towards this part of Abidjan, which increases the levels of poverty, the number of children without schooling, the lack of hygiene and tribal tensions. This increase of the population has also brought about a series of imbalances in both the family and the social framework. These include, the impoverishment of families obliged to accommodate close and distant relatives into their households, an increase in unemployment, ethnic conflicts linked to the social crisis, higher tensions in risk areas for the youth population, etc. The anarchic growth of the slums and the lack of education structures are currently causing all types of problems for the authorities. In these slums, the rate of drug consumption and prostitution is very high.
Education is, without question, the most powerful tool for escaping poverty and the helplessness which goes hand-in-hand with having nothing, not even hope for something better.
And this is what the Foundation Famille et Education, through its work with the Etimoé-Makoré school, is aiming for: To give the local residents an opportunity to overcome difficulties through the education of children, of families and of people in the area in general.
For more than six years, it has organised all types of cultural, educational, recreational and scientific activities for children and young people, with the aim of developing their skills. It supports parents so that they are aware of their roles as educators and supporters of the educational success of their children. It also encourages them to take responsibility for their own development, which encourages better participation in the realisation of the projects.
Famille et Education, since its beginning, has carried out continual educational work in the area of Abidjan, helping the country’s government to guarantee universal access to a quality education, securing respect for human rights and the rights of minors, at the same time as gender equality.
At present, the state of schools is regrettable because, as a consequence of the war, much of their equipment has been lost. The majority have stayed closed since 2010 and the few that have remained in operation are completely overcrowded, with 100-120 students per classroom. The state system barely manages to attain 30% of its educational needs.
The Etimoé-Makoré Project entails the construction of a new school in a very disadvantaged part of Abidjan called Cocody, with the aim of reducing illiteracy and providing a quality education to children of all social conditions, ethnicities and religions. By 2015, the goal is to have 1,200 students, from nursery school through to preparation for university. Until now, these students have been the victims of educational neglect and failure. At the same time, through the teaching model, a goal is to also help their families who are major players in the education process of their children.
Without assistance, many children will miss the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and instead will opt for solutions which are apparently easier, such as crime or joining armed militias etc. Many of these children are traumatised by war or have seen in the violence a way of progressing easily and rapidly.
Through the Montblanc Foundation, in collaboration with Famille et Education, we can all contribute to making this project a reality. You only have to go to the page Cooperate.
Montblanc Foundation for women promotion
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