April 26
Ivory Coast: the mission from the words of those who lived it.
Ivory Coast: The Mission in the Words of Those Who Experienced It. The Start of the Mission in Ivory Coast Our arrival at Abidjan Airport on July 30, 2012, wasn’t exactly smooth. Most of the luggage that had left from Milan Malpensa had not been loaded onto the plane during our layover in Tunis. So, for four days, we found ourselves managing our stay with the bare essentials: a few changes of clothes and shoes suitable for a tropical climate, with temperatures between 24 and 26 degrees and humidity close to 70%. Certainly not the best way to start a work assignment. After taking care of the administrative formalities and waiting for our luggage to be retrieved, we began to get a feel for Abidjan. The city appeared congested with thousands of dilapidated taxis and buses, choked with smog, and more chaotic than anyone could have imagined. Amid widespread urban decay and poverty, daily life unfolded amid misery, suffering, and extremely precarious sanitary conditions. Health Crisis and Urban Conditions in Abidjan Unlike our experience during the 2009 mission, street lighting had improved, but there were still numerous checkpoints set up by the militia, dotting the route along the main thoroughfares. The flashlights of the soldiers, who were checking vehicles at night, illuminated our pale and weary faces: the documents of our local escorts were our only guarantee of safety.  At the time, Ivory Coast was still marked by ten years of instability and internal guerrilla warfare between the factions of Ouattara and Gbagbo. The country, the world’s leading producer of cocoa and a major exporter of coffee and rubber, also possesses vast mineral wealth, including diamonds, gold, oil, and manganese. However, its economic potential was held back by political tensions and evident urban decay. SPONSOR A CHILD Visit to Grand Bassam: Ivory Coast’s Colonial Heritage While waiting for our luggage, we visited Grand Bassam, the former French colonial capital, now a major tourist and artisanal hub. Despite the beauty of the place, environmental degradation was evident, with piles of trash (mostly plastic) littering the beaches. Humanitarian Aid: Support for the Bongouanou Hospital Our arrival at the Bongouanou Hospital was greeted with great warmth. Memories of our previous mission were still fresh—during which we had delivered hospital furnishings, defibrillators, and operating room equipment, and organized medical training for doctors and nurses.  This time, our task involved furthering medical training, particularly in the management of cardiovascular emergencies. In addition, we were scheduled to deliver four ambulances intended for transporting patients from the villages to the local hospital and, if necessary, all the way to Abidjan. The effectiveness of these donations was immediately evident: during the transfer of the ambulances, a traffic accident forced the immediate use of one of the vehicles to transport an injured person to the hospital.  Healthcare Training and Local Resilience Meanwhile, training courses on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) continued using training manikins for adults and children, which were subsequently donated to the hospital so that practical exercises could continue independently. On weekends, visits to villages and meetings with local communities were organized. The trip to the forest-surrounded village of origin of our valued Ivorian colleague Tano was particularly memorable. There, in a simple and authentic setting, the children—many of whom were seeing a white man for the first time—reacted first with fear and then with enthusiasm, happily participating in photos and impromptu games. Local Traditions and Culture of the Horn of Africa There was no shortage of local celebrations, such as the visit to the village of Fabien, another local notable, where we were welcomed with traditional meals—including dishes made with porcupine and stewed agoutis, forest delicacies offered with great hospitality. The 52nd Anniversary of Independence: A Historic Moment Finally, on August 7, 2012, we took part in the celebrations marking the 52nd anniversary of the Ivory Coast’s independence from France. The city of Bongouanou came alive with parades, dances, colorful markets, and cultural events that involved the entire population. Conclusion The Emergency Transport mission represented an important initiative in international cooperation on the ground, successfully integrating medical and logistical aid with a deep respect for local culture, thereby strengthening the bonds between peoples who are distant yet united by the same spirit of solidarity. THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT, WE SAVE THE LIVES OF DOZENS OF CHILDREN EVERY YEAR. HELP US DO EVEN MORE. Countries 0 Children operated on 0 Children examined 0 +
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