Christmas Tree 2018

Dear children,

I take great pleasure  in being here with you today, as every end of the year, to celebrate Christmas.

I would like to begin by telling you how much I missed you and how happy I am to see you. Your father, Président Alassane Ouattara asked me to kiss you.

I would like to express my greetings to the children’s parents for being here with us this afternoon, as well as to the members of NGOs and to all the officials attending the celebration. Thank you all for coming out to take part in this beautiful celebration in honor of our children.

My dear children,

Christmas is an opportunity for me to spend time with you and to give you gifts.

We have the opportunity this season, to share unforgettable moments of happiness that we keep in our mind throughout the year. These are moments that I particularly like!

The Christmas Tree of Children of Africa Foundation is also a reunion event, during which children from all over the Abidjan District and some cities come together to experience the magic of Christmas.

For a day, the Presidential Palace decorated for the occasion, opens its doors to 3,000 children for a magical moment.

This year, we welcome children from the following associations and organizations:

– Ivorian Catholic Child Bureau,

– Children’s Association of the Cathedral

– Les Filleules de la Mosquée de la Riviéra

– SOS Villages of Abobo and Aboisso

– Grand Bassam Orphanage

– Bingerville Orphanage

– SERVIR Foundation

– La Case des Enfants in Plateau

– Padré Pio Children’s shelter in Bonoua

– Les enfants Dida of Toumodi

–  Actions and Assistances

– Dignity and Rights for Children of Côte d’Ivoire

– Orphans and Vulnerable Children

– GEMAS Foundation

–  Escale du Bonheur

– DIA Partage

–  Share & Shine

We also have with us:

– The children of our corporate partners,

– The children of ministries and embassies staff,

– The children of Abidjan,

– The children of Presidency staff,

– And the children of pressmen

 

I would also like to give a special attention to  our guests of honor, namely the children of the city of Anyama. I am very happy that they are with us today to enjoy the games and attractions with all their friends.

Also, the children who participated in the drawing contest launched on Radio Nostalgie, on the theme “Draw me a beautiful garden” are here with us. I take this opportunity to congratulate them on the beautiful drawings they have made. Please, give them a round of applause !

Dear children,

As I said earlier, you are 3,000 in total who had the chance to be here today, to enjoy all the wonderful activities we have prepared for you:

• the games and attractions planned for you ;
• the performances of your favorite singers;
• sandwiches offered by our to regain strength ;
• as well as, all the gifts that Santa Claus has brought for you.

 

For our dear children who could not attend this celebration, and for the children of the other cities of the country,

We have planned this year to organize Christmas trees in all the regions of Côte d’Ivoire. 15,000 children in total will benefit from the Children of Africa Foundation’s Christmas Tree, and will return home with their arms full of gifts.

Dear guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I will end by thanking our dear donors, they have been supporting our action for  20 years. Without them, all this would not have been possible.

Thanks to their donations, we manage to give joy and happiness to thousands of children every year, and this is priceless.

I also thank all the volunteers of Children of Africa Foundation for their great contribution to the celebration of this beautiful Christmas party for children.

I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

 

Thank you.