AFRICA: Ivory Coast

As one crossed the border from Dormaa Ahenkro, Ghana into Cote D'Ivoire, one was struck by the poverty and yet colourful rural folk. As we travelled south to Abidjan, seeing the beautiful men and women, all so exquisitely adorned in designer clothing, I wished my eyes were a camera so that I could share this beauty with you. The market place, fabric and clothing, was very tempting.
We met men and women active in caring for the youth - International Youth Fellowship. We also met a group of Educators active in encouraging children to read and also caring for health and community. Volunteers mostly, in which out host, Jose Landri-Guehi, played a leading role in organising.
Jose's wife, Marie-France, prepared delicious traditional food for us each day.
The visit to the HUGE hospital where we met doctors, a paediatric oncologist, nurses and social worker in the child cancer ward was again a deeply moving experience especially as we went through the wards meeting the children.
We were invited to the American Embassy, Cultural Affairs, where Janet as a YALI 2016 fellow, shared her experiences in America and her work in Tanzania.
On our last day in Cote D'Ivoire we went to Grand-Bassam and joined in the festivities of their New Year. Each tribe, family, has a day to celebrate their culture - 7 days, 7 families.
Thank you Jose and Marie-France for your generous hospitality and organisation.

The BORDER