Ivorian peace activist Gouza Nahounou brings together 3000 disadvantaged Ivorian children
BY PETER SESAY
Despite the passage of time and the government’s efforts to bring about healing, Cote d’Ivoire is still hurting from the wounds of the violent rebellion of 2002 and the post-election civil war of 2011 that claimed 3000 lives. Acting under the umbrella of her non-profit organization, ID2P-IDÉES DE PAIX (Ideas for Peace) and with the support of the Ivorian government, Gouza Nahounou, an Ivorian national living in France, recently organized a massive event to put a smile on the faces of disadvantaged populations in the country’s western region.
“Noel pour tous” (Christmas for all), a mega-event that brought together more than 3000 disadvantaged children in the Guemon region (western Cote d’Ivoire), was the initiative of ID2P-IDÉES DE PAIX (Ideas for Peace), a French non-profit organization founded and chaired by Gouza Nahounou. ID2P-IDÉES DE PAIX, “a social and humanitarian project,” as its founder describes it, is officially recognized by French authorities and listed in the French journal officiel. In an interview with The African, Nahounou points out the organization’s pursuit of peace and dialogue among people.
The various outbreaks of violent that have shaken Cote d’Ivoire since the demise of the nation’s founder father, Felix Houphouet-Boigny, in 1994, have not spared any region. But the toll on the western region is the heaviest, with innumerable orphans, widows, and handicaps.
“I’ve always wondered how can I assist the people of this beautiful region, share a moment of joy with them, help them learn again to live together,” Nahounou told The African. “Hence the idea of organizing a Christmas tree in the area, specifically in Duekoue, a martyr town turned into a symbol of Peace and Living Together.”
Nahounou and her team left nothing to chance. They made sure the participating children, of both sexes, come from all the area villages for the purpose of allowing them to engage in dialogues through games and dances, and by sharing a holiday meal. “It’s our way to instill in these young minds the notion of Peace, Living Together and Solidarity, because they are the future, they are the ambassadors of tomorrow,” says Nahounou. Initially, 2,000 children were expected to attend, but the number shot up to 3,000 because so many children (accompanied by older loved ones) were desperate for a Christmas gift.
The children’s expectation was met, Nahounou added, also thanks to the support of the Ivorian government. Not only was the event under the patronage of Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, but also several cabinet ministers lent their support. That includes the Minister of National Education and Vocational Training Kandia Camara; her colleague in charge of Sports, Danho Claude Paulin; the Minister of Agriculture Kobenan Adjoumani, Alcide Djedje, director of bilateral relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, not to mention various businesses including Orange Cote d’Ivoire, Brassivoire and others.
“We hold the children of other regions in our hearts; we wish we could put a smile on the faces of children across the nation,” laments Nahounou, expressing the hope that the 2020 edition of Noel pour tous will be extended to children outside the Guemon region, and even beyond the national boundaries of Cote d’Ivoire. Already, she also said, she’s been contacted by a Malian association in France to organize a similar event in Mali, to which Nahounou answered: “Why not? For the goal of our organization ID2P, is to promote dialogue among people and peace.”