Handing-over of donation to " Belles Demeures"

The Institute received the first donations of Telethon give and wait nothing in return but cheerful smile, able to dry and make forget the tears of a child, people cruelty had to mortgage the future dreams.

Mrs Ayala Bakaba... is the mother
Of a multitude...
First Ivorian woman of French origin to condemn the guns of death in 2002, at the moment Ivory Coast woke up at the dawn of the hot days of the most painful crisis of its history.
Today, she carries , in her heart and on her "shoulders", all thirst to exist of about 3000 war orphan children of Western Ivory Coast.
Woman of exception, General Administrator of Abidjan Arts Centre, Adviser of the President of the Republic and godmother of the NGO the Institute les " Les Belles Demeures ", she initiated on November 20, 2007 Telethon in favour of her godsons.

This mother with a golden heart, sun hair and diamond smile, and all those who helped her (particularly, artists of Ivory Coast with no difference) for the realization of this programme broadcasted on live on Ivorian television (RTi), First channel and on Internet, thanks to Tele Diaspora, had only one hope: being able by this means to build about ten "Maisons de vies".
Those "Maisons de vies" or hostel for the homeless, management and blooming of war orphans is another generous idea of Mrs Bakaba. In prospect of an imminent return to peace, this project is as Important as the reimbursement of disinherited children, will avoid future problems.
During Telethon, some Ivorians and some friends of Ivory Coast made donations in a first dash of solidarity. Thus, several donations were received.
It is about:

• 1 300000 F (one million and three hundred thousand francs)
• 1 box of shoes
• 1 box of children's wears
• 3 boxes of detergent
• 1 rice bag

It is worth mentioning that a part of the 1 300000 F was used to buy: 5 boxes of drugs as a value of 500 000 F; about 2 tons of rice as a value of 486 000 F
In addition to the donation, Abidjan Arts Centre gave 4 boxes of school books
and extra-curricular books.

The launch of the building project of ten "Maisons de vie AYALA BAKABA"

Let's build for 2500 orphan children of war in the western region, "ten houses of life", with Ayala Bakaba and the association " L'institut les belles demeures", in partnership with Abidjan Arts Centre and Radio Nostalgie..

Have the heart to do it and give with your gift, respect, dignity and hope of a better future to those children, suffering from war.

We are building with your gift in kind and in cash, those houses of life which will bring comfort, health, education to them, and particularly, this village solidarity so important for our Ivorian Culture.

• CECP Bank Account : " institute l - Les belles demeures No 01201 050 0972 041069"

Give your gifts to Abidjan Arts Centre, Radio Nostalgie for the help to orphan children of war.

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Interview of Mrs. Yvette BAKABA

LA CULTURE, CRUCIBLE OF HUMANITARIAN AID

MMrs. BAKABA, the Arts Centre is bursting of life today. You are considered as the faithful and discreet muse of Mr. Bakaba, the Manager of the Arts Centre. You inspire him in cultural and artistic field but also in humanitarian field. Ivory Coast has experienced suffering events and in this misfortune, you kept the flame lighted.

Talk about your entire devotion towards penniless people, disabled persons, sick people, children and victims of war through your collaboration with the Arts Centre and other organizations or Humanitarian Associations.

When we wrote in 1998 the scenario of "ROUES LIBRES", we have had to meet many disabled persons so as to know the reality of their bad living conditions and supervision in Ivory Coast. Since the beginning, we collaborated with Ivory Coast disabled persons Federation (FEHACI) which felt concerned and passionate by the film. We have been in a very friendship relation continuously, with not only Mr DOGO Raphael who is the Head of the FEHACI but also with other disabled persons association of Ivory Coast, members of the FEHACI. Our first aid was 20 wheelchairs we gave to the different actors taking part in this adventure, before the shooting. Those wheelchairs were not part of actors, remunerations of course.

We had to meet a French retired General: General SIMONNET. He made us meet SOLIDARITE INTERNATIONALES SOMME which is an Association based in France in Amiens (in la Somme). The action of this Association is to get medical equipment, medicines, everything concerning hospital equipments. With this partnership, we have received 25 wheelchairs more than what we expected and it was really our first collaboration. A part from wheelchairs, there were also medicines, hospital equipments of 200 millions values. (200 000 000 f cfa)

The gifts were given to different hospitals of Abidjan and some regions. For instance: Abengourou, the native town of Mr Bakaba, in Tenguelan, the occasional village of Mr N'goye , one of the most Ivorian active member of SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONALES SOMME, then in some small towns where we were requested. It was then a first action we found interesting and satisfying.

The origin of things is then the film?

Yes, in fact .

Certainly, you did not think about it before?

Since the conception of the film, we have planned to undertake a humanitarian action. Absolutely. It was simply wheelchairs and finally, when we knew that there were many hospital equipments in Amiens. We have expanded our action in partnership with SOLIDARITE INTERNATIONAL SOMME. A part from those wheelchairs, we have a short collaboration with the French channel ARTE which had planned on Mai 2002 film series shooted and produced in Africa. A six-part serial entitled "Regards Noirs" including "Roues Libres" The action was discreet and took place during the open days, organized by ARTE at DAPPER museum in Paris. During this event where the film series have been presented, ARTE has made and sold some t-shirts with the effigy of FEHACI. Then the Managers of the channel sent the appropriate cheque corresponding to the sales amount to us. It was a token amount (400 Euros). But it went to the heart of the disabled persons federation and it also went to my heart personally, for it was an unexpected act. Here is the resume of our first action.

The facts of the lack of important aids to disabled persons, encouraged by the success of the first action, have certainly strengthened you for other actions?

Since there were many requests, we have tried to get more wheelchairs systematically and then any kind of equipment for disabled persons. Always in partnership with SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONALES SOMME, we have got hospital equipment, equipment for disabled persons of two hundred and fifty million (250 000 000 f cfa). I have got a container of 40 "pieds" from a sponsor, for nothing.

Could you reveal the name of that generous Sponsor?

Yes. It is the SOCOPAO, with Mr VAILLANT as intermediary. He was the former Manager at that time. It is worth mentioning that with the consent of the Presidency of the Republic of Ivory Coast, we may use the possibilities of the service of the Presidency social actions. Thus, thanks to the Presidency team we did not pay any harbor taxes and got all the equipment for nothing. Here again, it was an effective partnership.

It was onc then before war?

It was before war. The second action was planned in the year 2002. And we have received the container on October of the same year by stoke of luck of the calendar. It arrived on September and we received it on October at the Arts Centre. With the partnership of SOLIDARITE INTERNATIONALES SOMME, represented by Mr. N'GOYE in partnership with the Arts Centre and I, we have made a donation to the value of hundred and fifty million cfa, of wheelchairs, medicines, and hospital equipment to FEHACI.

When you are talking about you, is it for a structure and which one?

There are actions I have personally led. It s true that I am a Producer and that helped me meet disabled persons of Ivory Coast. I could not plan to make a film in which the living conditions of African disabled persons should be known without wondering about my own help to make them happy. It is important as far as my ethic is concerned. It is true that time was more important since war began the 19 of September and we received the donation on Friday, the 27 of October 2002. Thanks to the Presidency, we succeeded in making the donation s the following days. There were many equipments and other donations received by Abidjan University Teaching Hospital of Treichville and Yopougon, the hospitals of Abengourou, Agnibilekro, the village of Tenguelan, orphan children of October 2000 events, the federation of associations for social promotion of Ivory Coast disabled persons.

Do you have a follow-up policy of donations?

As for me, the most important thing is that donations are given to the heads of structures. It is a guarantee I think. Elsewhere, we are in touch with people who received the donations. They told us how they received them and the way they are used. May be it is the most important thing. We discussed with some Doctors and we were sure that the equipments have been received, after we had paid visit to them. Undoubtedly, I can tell you that everything has been received.

The two actions we talked about concern SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONALES SOMME. What about the other actions?

At present, I am planning another action with Solidarite International Somme.

The third action?

May be it will be the fourth since I have forgotten to mention that we have received an ambulance which will be given to the town of Tenguelan which has no ambulance. The ambulance is in Abidjan and is waiting for customs formalities. Now, we have an important humanitarian action which will consist in receiving a container of "40 pieds" again. Here, it is a new partnership SOLIDARITE INTERNATIONALES SOMME and the Town Hall of Paris being associated. That Town Hall gives us two containers. A container of humanitarian equipment waiting at Amiens harbor, and another of books concerning another association called "Le Francais en partage", I represent in Abidjan.

How did you get in touch with the Town Hall of Paris?

The Town Hall of Paris, it is my own will for I wanted to work with a French Authority and which aim was to bring aid in one way or another. My aim is to get container. A container of "40 pieds", it is about 3 millions cfa. It cost much money. The collaboration with the Town Hall of Paris was to show that in France some institutions are aware of the problems of Ivorian people..

have been received by the Town Hall of Paris with interest. When I have explained the aims of my humanitarian actions, they told they agreed to join us because it is to help suffering people, particularly, in a period where the consequences of war are a reality, and there is a lack of hospital equipment, medicines, vaccines, surviving kits for babies in critical areas. I hope to receive the two containers of the Town Hall of Paris around 2004.

As you put it, one of the container will be given to "Francais en Partage" for a donation of Books. Talk about it.

"Le Francais en Partage" used to make donation of urgent need in books according to its means. There are good books, coming from libraries, documentation Centre, which are supposed to fit the expectations, everywhere they are sent. We made a first operation. I received 2 tons of books. For this time, we have planned an action more important. Mr Ferrando DUFORT, the representative of "Le Francais en partage", met many institutions in Ivory Coast, on july 2002 and july 2003. We talked about some needs. It concerned, Ivorian French speaking Agency, the national Library concerning an important action of the renovation of book stocks, Abidjan public Library, the library of some secondary schools in the commune of Treichville where we are located. The Resources Centre of the Arts Centre will totally be fit out with art books of all branches by "Le Francais en Partage" and we have planned a book fare. The principle of this fare will consist in selling for instance a book which costs ten thousand cfa, to a price of 500f cfa or 1000f cfa for very important books or books for schools and universities.

It is also a way for democratizing teaching. What will we do with the money? We will buy containers, the transport of the equipment from the departure point until the Arts Centre, the organization of the book fare at the Arts Centre. 80 per cent of the sales will be reserved for the transport of other books because we need money to buy containers with the numerous requests of institutions.

Is the project "library plane" the origin of your collaboration with "Le Francais en Partage"?

Not really, as graduate I am fond on everything that concerns knowledge. As for me book is a privileged instrument. My meeting with Ferrando DURFORT was the result of my project which is not a mere collaboration since I became a member of Francais en Partage. Hence the equipment of "The Library Plane", some libraries in the commune of treichville, different actions we can lead with some Associations trying to make youth read books.

Madame BAKABA, certains édifices et centre de l’intérieur de la Côte d’Ivoire porte désormais votre nom, en reconnaissance de la portée de vos actions humanitaires. Dans ce cadre vous êtes en relation avec l’ONG «LES BELLES DEMEURES». A quand remonte cette autre aventure humanitaire ?

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Not really, as graduate I am fond on everything that concerns knowledge. As for me book is a privileged instrument. My meeting with Ferrando DURFORT was the result of my project which is not a mere collaboration since I became a member of Francais en Partage. Hence the equipment of "The Library Plane", some libraries in the commune of treichville, different actions we can lead with some Associations trying to make youth read books. Mrs Bakaba, from now on, your name is given to some buildings and Centres in Ivory Coast. In this context, your in collaboration with the NGO "LES BELLES DEMEURES". When did that other humanitarian adventure take place? "LES BELLES DEMEURES" is a charitable structure and which aim is a work of education, assistance, insertion of children in difficult conditions between 0 and 18 years old, in the western region of Ivory Coast. This Association is represented by Reverend SIEHI Benjamin I met on October 2002 during a mission of the Arts Centre with non-trading company for the Direction of a documentary. It was a part of an action At the beginning of war, to sensitize people on the danger of civil war or religious war and bring peace among people. We thought that the contribution of artists at the beginning of war, by their actions, their will to make Ivorian people talk to one another, and bring peace among them, was an important action. We wanted to avoid a worst situation: war everywhere. It is on the occasion of peace Caravan led by Mr. Honore Guie that I met Reverend SIEHI. It was the beginning of a friendship from which an action in favor of populations took place, particularly, children living in displaced areas. Since that encounter, I take part in some actions according to my means.
I was surprised to notice that "Les Belles Demeures" have decided the opening of children Centres in Bangolo, Duekoue, Man, Kouibly, and Fakobly and my name is given to all of them. At first sight, I refused politely, not only because of my numerous responsibilities and humanitarian actions but also because one can not do everything. However, when I knew that there were actions of the Reverend, I accepted to take part in them.

How and in which way are they characterized?

First and foremost, I give an equipment aid and then we listen to their problems. Concerning the activities of the Centres, there is a medical and humanitarian programme.

The main points

There are many things: supervision and the follow-up of street children, management of conflicts, training, supervision, the teaching to read and write medical fees of AIDS orphan children, a profession centre, a sensitization and prevention centre against Aids, fight against the exploitation and children traffic, accommodation centre, fight against prostitution etc.

In fact, many activities have to be led. Once again, it is true that without the situation of war those centres would be more developed. We have planned to send some medicines with the Mayor of Palerme (Italy) and the Ivorian Community living there before May of the year 2004.

Is there any other association you did not talk about?

I think it is enough, since there are "Le Francais en Partage", "Solidarites Internationale Somme", "Les Belles Demeures", and my collaboration with the Federation of Ivory Coast disabled persons. The Arts Centre is involved in those actions since all the staff take part in those humanitarian donations. That is to say that we receive the donations here. Different Associations come to receive theirs and we create small events for that, because a place of culture is a place of life. In a period of difficulties culture is not a closed field. It is a social space of reflection, calling out, writing, and realization and as we discovered with war, a space to help suffering populations. "The Library Plane" has been an idea of the Arts Centre Manager but how to put books in a plane is an action of Mrs. Bakaba. It is a way to collaborate and take part in a dream.we made blood donation, TV programme, shows for displaced populations. All the actions have been made with the same aim: comfort people. If we could do it why not. To have access to culture, we first of all have to like it. It is a huge exchange of emotion, creative lucidity and all that plunged into the compost of life.

You are talking about life; generally speaking, human life is the union of two hearts in love. The Arts Centre allowed some armed forces to celebrate their marriage there. One of the numerous original events people used to see at the Arts Centre with the management of Sidiki Bakaba. Tell us about this other symbol feast of life luxuriance in war period.

Those marriages were fantastic ones. I am telling the following thing: we are the neighbor of the Republican guard. We are living in a good neighborhood with them. It is a result of collaboration, little by little we got in touch with one each other, and then we helped each other. They have accepted to supervise some of our events, and then we offered them to come and attend our shows at low prices. It is wonderful when about 50 and 60 armed forces are attending a play. It is something interesting. This good neighborhood became a friendship and solidarity relationship. When we were not able to pay security fees of the Arts Centre, our neighbors accepted to assure security by night. It allows us to reduce our expenses and to protect the Arts Centre in this period of crisis. For those marriages they have decided to rent Anoumabo Room. In turn of their collaboration, we gave them the room for nothing. Let's imagine Anoumabo Room with 600 married couples except the guests. It was wonderful and astonishing. It was to celebrate friendship and good neighborhood but also the support to Ivory Coast National Armed Forces (FANCI). We have to thank them because their responsibilities were great ones during this war. Whenever the opportunity will arise, we will help one another as we used to do.

It was to celebrate friendship and good neighborhood but also the support to Ivory Coast National Armed Forces (FANCI). We have to thank them because their responsibilities were great ones during this war. Whenever the opportunity will arise, we will help one another as we used to do.

For you, Culture and humanitarian action have something in common. They are linked to each other?

As for me, Humanitarian action is a culture. It is a democratic culture. A culture recognizing the suffering of others. It is a will to share, in difficult periods such as those we have known. Acts of generosity, yes, have a cultural dimension. I do not consider culture as something apart, egoist. As for me, culture is something crossing entirely the social field. And as I put it before, it is deeply rooted in the life of a people.

With no relationship to politics?

Of course, because politics has something in common with civic responsibility. Here, we are talking about listening, taking root, immersion in social life. When people are suffering we can not stand aloof. Some children gave their food to displaced ones; others brought a kilo of rice. Why not think about artists bringing their creative and relational ability to comfort. It is essential.

Would you pursue those actions after war?

It depends. An action leads to another. A situation leads to another. That's life. It is that constant movement and that meeting always possible. A humanitarian action is a little drop in the desert. But from a drop to a drop, one can fertilize a field. Every one brings a little drop, provided that it is not a tear! Wherever we are, we help for a better life, how to be, how to live, how to love, know more people we are suffering with and tell them they are not alone, that we are together looking for a better life in the respect of life and love of others.

Interview of Christian KOCANI
,Journalist of the Ivorian daily Newspaper "24 heures"

 

 

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HUMANITARIAN ACTION IN WARTIME