On July 31, 2025, the socio-educational center of Port-Bouët 2 (in the Yopougon district) welcomed a visit from the NGO Hope Worldwide (HWW) as part of the Early Childhood Nutrition and Development project (NDPE). The visit aimed to strengthen collaboration between stakeholders and beneficiaries of the socio-educational centers.

The center’s Deputy Director, Mrs. Ouattara, praised the synergy between the Ministry of Women, Family, and Children (MFFE) and Hope Worldwide. “This partnership is a true breath of hope for our little ones, especially following the closure of the Early Childhood Protection Center (CPPE) in 2021,” she said with satisfaction.

Currently, 120 children from vulnerable families receive attentive care provided by a team of eight facilitators, including five specialized educators and three volunteers.

Dr. Marc Aguirre, Hope Worldwide’s Africa Director, reminded that the U.S.-based NGO has supported Côte d’Ivoire for 24 years. The NDPE project benefits three communes — Abobo, Yopougon, and Marcory — with the goal of improving nutrition and development for young children, thus bringing tangible hope to disadvantaged families.

On behalf of Minister Nassénéba Touré, Dano Dako, the Abidjan regional director of the MFFE, applauded this initiative as a major step forward for family well-being. “This project not only transforms the lives of children but also those of families. By training educators, it prepares future generations of Côte d’Ivoire for a better future. Investing in early childhood is investing in the future of our country. Let us all be builders of hope,” he emphasized.

Following a partial rehabilitation of the center in 2024, funded at 2,165,000 CFA francs, the delegation handed over sanitary equipment to the socio-educational center and the Community-Based Urban Health Facility (FSU Com) of Port-Bouët 2, thereby improving conditions for child care and reception.

Hope Worldwide Côte d’Ivoire had previously donated 56 wheelchairs adapted for children with mobility challenges to MFFE’s socio-educational structures. To date, 527 children benefit from the NDPE project — 240 at the CPPE in Abobo, 125 at the social center in Yopougon Port-Bouët 2, and 162 at the preschool in Aliodan (Marcory commune).