Dance to the beats of Magic System and take in the unique architecture of Le Plateau. The Ivory Coast has been labeled the Paris of West Africa, and with good reason. It is the hub of West Africa’s music scene and the warm smiling people are sure to please. Before crisis hit, the Ivory Coast was regarded as a post-colonial economic miracle. From the basilica to the skyscrapers, the evidence is there to prove it.
Programs available in the Ivory Coast
View Current volunteer and internship opportunities in the Ivory Coast... |
How You Can Help
The work of The Humanity Exchange in The Ivory Coast is in Abidjan. While the political capital is located further north in the country, Abidjan is the major hub and economic capital of The Ivory Coast. It is home to approximately five million people. Lagoons and ocean edge along the south side of Abidjan. It is a busy metropolitan city, as you will see from visiting Le Plateau. However, there is also great disparity. There are many cartiers, or neighbourhoods, with varying degrees of poverty. In Abidjan you can complete a medical, human services & childcare, physical labour, education, or community development placement. In addition, you can complete a placement with a tailored focus or Learn French in Abidjan.
The Need
The people of the Ivory Coast are vibrant and welcoming. Sadly, like much of Sub-saharan Africa, it is a country suffering from extreme poverty. In 2008, the Ivory Coast was ranked 166 out of 179 on the United Nations Human Development Index, an indicator of wellbeing in countries around the world. Various factors contribute to this poor ranking. For example, 7.1% of adults under fifty are living with HIV, and almost half of the population lives on less than two dollars per day. In addition, the civil war that briefly erupted in 2002 only added fuel to the fire, pushing many Ivorians further into poverty. There is much work to be done.
History
Indigenous tribes flourished in the Ivory Coast until 1840. The French met great resistance, but eventually colonized the area. As its name suggests, the major export was Ivory, but coffee and cocoa were also grown as export crops. In 1960, the Ivory Coast gained independence. A prominent labour union leader, Felix Houphouet Boigny, became the first president of the Ivory Coast. He claimed he would turn the Ivory Coast into a "Garden of Eden" by expanding cocoa production. The production of cocoa increased dramatically, and citizens from surrounding countries migrated to the Ivory Coast to start cultivating the crop. The economy improved dramatically, and modernization took hold of Abidjan. However, as cocoa prices started to fall from 1980 onwards, it became apparent that the Ivory Coast was struggling. Poverty was on the rise, and civil war erupted in 2002. It was relatively brief, and peace accords were signed the following year. Since that time proud Ivorians have worked hard to restore peace in their beloved country.
Things to See and Do
- Grand Bassam or Assinie (expansive beaches east of Abidjan)
- Rural villages
- The Artisan's Market
- Agricultural plantations
- Ile Boulet
- Grand Lahou (beach best visited in September and October, the crab season)
- Basilique de Notre Dame de la Paix
