Start of the 2026–2027 School Year: Mrs. Dominique Ouattara Officially Launches the Campaign to Distribute 15,000 School Kits to Ivorian Schoolchildren

In-kind and cash donations totaling more than 200 million CFA francs were made

The First Lady, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, President of the Children of Africa Foundation, officially launched the national school supply kit distribution campaign on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Foundation’s headquarters in Cocody.

The national launch ceremony for the school supply distribution campaign witnessed the presence of Mr. Koffi N’Guessan, Minister of National Education, Literacy, and Technical Education, along with several other dignitaries, as well as teachers, parents, and students from the Cocody Sud School Complex.

To mark the start of the 2026–2027 school year, 15,000 school kits—consisting of backpacks, educational support books, and school supplies will be distributed to students across the country’s various regions. In addition, the President of the Children of Africa Foundation also donated equipment and food supplies for school cafeterias, early learning toys and outdoor play equipment for young children, as well as furniture for teachers. The total value of these donations is estimated at 200 million CFA francs. In addition to these in-kind donations, the First Lady donated five (5) million CFA francs in cash to the schoolchildren, teachers, and parents.

For Ms. Dominique Ouattara, President of the Children of Africa Foundation, this initiative reflects a consistent commitment to supporting families at the start of the school year and helping ensure that children can attend school under favorable conditions. “Every year, at the start of the school year, the Children of Africa Foundation makes it a point of honor to support families throughout Côte d’Ivoire so that every child can return to school under good conditions,” she said.

28-Year of Commitment to Education

Since its inception, Children of Africa has made education one of the cornerstones of its work. Over the past 28 years, the Foundation has distributed hundreds of thousands of school kits throughout Côte d’Ivoire. For its president, this commitment stems from a strong conviction: education is an essential driver of progress and children’s development. Ms. Dominique Ouattara also took the opportunity during the ceremony to pay tribute to teachers. In particular, she praised their role in shaping future generations and encouraged them to continue their mission of passing on knowledge.

To the parents of students, the First Lady reaffirmed her commitment to supporting families. She assured them that the Children of Africa Foundation will continue its efforts on behalf of children and parents, particularly the most vulnerable.

Finally, addressing the main beneficiaries of this initiative, Ms. Dominique Ouattara encouraged the students to make good use of the supplies they would receive and to pay close attention to the lessons taught in class. Above all, she asked them to make academic success their top priority. “The greatest gift you can give me is to achieve excellent results at the end of the year, so that we can all be proud of you,” she told them.

 

Speaking well before the First Lady, the Minister of National Education, Literacy, and Technical Education, Mr. Koffi N’Guessan, paid tribute to the First Lady’s commitment to children and education. He noted in particular that the work of the Children of Africa Foundation goes beyond the mere distribution of school supplies. He cited among its achievements the Bingerville Mother-and-Child Hospital, schools, and child care and protection facilities. For the minister, these facilities constitute “an invaluable legacy for future generations.”

Mr. Koffi N’Guessan also emphasized the social impact of distributing school kits. For many vulnerable families, he explained, the cost of school supplies remains a real barrier to children’s access to and continued attendance in school. By helping to reduce this financial burden at the start of the school year, the Children of Africa initiative helps promote equal opportunities. “No child should be denied an education due to a lack of financial means,” the minister emphasized.

According to him, the impact of the donation goes beyond access to school supplies. A child who has materials appropriate for their grade level from the very first day of school can learn under better conditions, concentrate more effectively, and engage in the learning process with greater peace of mind. He noted that this initiative is in line with the goals of the 2021–2030 strategic vision, “Côte d’Ivoire at School.”

The Minister also highlighted Children of Africa’s work as an example of partnership between the government, the private sector, and local communities in the areas of education, child protection, and educational infrastructure.

Mr. Jean-Marc Yacé, Mayor of Cocody, delivered the welcome address to the First Lady. He praised the First Lady’s spirit of solidarity, which reflects the importance she places on early childhood education.

Mr. Kato Essui Koffi Armel, President of the COGES of the Cocody-Sud School Group and spokesperson for the parents, thanked the First Lady for the assistance she is providing to parents through this school supply distribution campaign. For him, this donation holds special significance because it gives children the opportunity to attend school with dignity.

Miss Aké Danho Fatima, a student at the Cocody-Sud School Group and spokesperson for the recipients, noted that these school kits will allow students to attend school under good conditions while also providing relief for their parents.