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The ‘Association of Literacy Teachers Who Use Information and Communications Technology (NGO GA-TIC)’ in Côte d’Ivoire was awarded the 2021 UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy for its programme, ‘Functional literacy for traders in Abidjan through the use of ICT’, which is implemented in the Abidjan district markets.

On 21 March 2022, a special Ceremony was organized by the to recognize NGO GA-TIC’s work and to receive a prize medal, a check for 30,000 USD and a certificate, which was delivered by the First Lady of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, Ms Dominique Ouattara, who agreed to be the godmother of the event in the presence of the Head of the UNESCO Office, Ms Anne Lemaistre and the Chinese Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire, His Excellency Mr Wan Li.

The First Lady praised the Ivorian NGO for winning such prestigious prize. “Your efforts, your self-sacrifice and your commitment have been rewarded the 2021 UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy. You can be proud because this Prize honours your competence in literacy,” said Ms Dominique Ouattara.

Several interventions were made througout the ceremony, including one of the beneficiary learners of functional literacy courses through ICT. Mother of four children, Ms Samba Assetou did not have the opportunity to go to school. Coming from a family steeped in tradition, she was predestined to start a family at a very young age. Her father, who was illiterate, never considered it necessary to enroll his daughter in school. Having lost her husband, she had to face the education of her children alone. Not knowing how to read or write, she could in no way help her children with their homework or follow their school results. Unable to write her own name during community gatherings or meetings outside her village, she always relied on someone to help her.

In her testimony, Ms Assetou underlines that having been constantly frustrated, humiliated and dependent, she considered herself to be disabled. Despite her apprehensions, she made the decision to join NGO GA-TIC’s literacy project, giving her ‘everything’,  she says.

After six months of literacy classes learning through a mobile phone, Ms Assetou now knows how to read, write, count and her business is booming. At the end of her speech, Ms Assetou invited the First Lady to make a plea to the Government of Côte d’Ivoire so that the project could extend throughout the Ivorian territory. She also asked UNESCO to kindly continue this project which is so beneficial for all Ivorian women who represent two-thirds of the illiterate population. With full motivation, she hopes that one day she is able to be a literacy teacher and join the NGO GA-TIC.

About the project:

Read more:

• International Literacy Day