Departure for Cap-d’Ail

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to welcome you  to the headquarters of the Children of Africa Foundation, to celebrate the best students of the year before they depart tonight for a holiday camp in France.

First of all, I would like to acknowledge the presence of Mrs Kandia CAMARA, Minister of National Education, Technical Education and Vocational Training,

whom I thank for attending this ceremony, which celebrates excellent work in school environment.

I also welcome the presence of Mr. Gilles HUBERSON, Ambassador of France to Côte d’Ivoire, and that of Mr. Laurent SOUQUIÈRE, Consul General of France. I wish to thank them for their valuable contribution by issuing visa to our children.

My warmest greetings also go to Mrs Florence NYS, Manager and Secretary General of the Association Cité Club Universitaire, our partner in the organization of this educational trip for the fourth consecutive year.

Thank you dear Florence, for your presence this morning and for coming to pick up our children yourself.

I also extend my greetings to children parents and families attending the ceremony who could see their efforts rewarded by the excellent results achieved by their children.

Finally, I extend my greetings to the  press for supporting us in promoting excellent work at school.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Since 2015, the Association Cité Club Universitaire and the  Children Of Africa Foundation have established a partnership to enable the best students of Côte d’Ivoire to spend their holidays in France in a recreational and learning environment.

As part of this project, the Ministry of National Education is working with Children of Africa to select the best students in the country.

This year, ten of the best students from Côte d’Ivoire, aged between 15 and 17 years, were selected to spend 21 days of educational holidays at the Mediterranean Center of French Studies (CMEF) located in Cap-D’ail, in the south of France. For girls we have :

–     Floriane HOVI, grade 10, attending school in Abidjan, she obtained 17.53

–     Mariam WANE, grade 11, schooling in Boundiali, she obtained 17.39 over 20

–     Laurette KOUADIO, grade 9,  schooling in San Pédro, she obtained 16.78 over 20

–     Aminata TRAORE, grade 13, schooling in Ferkéssédougou, she obtained 16.52 over 20

–     Dianne KOUAME, grade 12, schooling in Dabou, she obtained 16.18 over 20

Et pour les garçons de :

–     Adama BORO, grade 11, schooling in Abidjan, he obtained 18.65 over 20

–     Junior FOFANA, grade 11, schooling in Divo, he obtained 17.78 over 20

–     Pacôme AMANI, grade 10, schooling in Dimbokro, he obtained 17.78 over 20

–     Jean-Eudes AHOULOU, grade 11, schooling in Adzopé, he obtained 17.59 over 20

–     Lacina SORHO, grade 10, schooling in Korhogo, he obtained 17.39 over 20

Let’s give them a round of applause!

My dear children,

I would like to congratulate you on the excellent academic results you have achieved. You have done your best to distinguish yourself, and I am very proud of you, just like your parents. You all deserved to go on vacation.

Your dad, President Alassane OUATTARA is also very proud of you. He asked me to kiss you and to congratulate your parents.

This first trip to France will be an opportunity for you, meet new friends, and make beautiful discoveries in a completely new environment. I am confident that this unique experience will change your view of the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At this point, I would like to say a special word of thanks to Mrs Florence NYS, representative of the Association Cité Club Universitaire, who spares no effort in providing a most enjoyable travel experience for our children.

My dear Florence, Thanks a lot for your kindness and your love for children.

It is great to see the wonderful work you are doing with children, you pass on skills and knowledge to the younger generation. We are very grateful to you. That is why I am very happy you receive a recognition today  for your accomplishments.

I hope that this beautiful partnership between our two institutions will grow year after year for the greater benefit of our children.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would now like to thank all the people who have supervised our children during their school year. I specially think about school managers, and teaching staff working to provide a better education to our children.

Each of you plays a vital role in the education of our children. Your efforts have led them to success.

I urge you to continue to support them until they become independent and responsible adults.

Finally, I would like to wish a very nice holiday to our children and a nice stay in France.

Thank you.