Adopt a Town Program in Bouna

Consul Kristin Bongiovanni presenting equipment to the head of Bouna local radio (Dpt of State)

On March 22^nd, 2012, U.S. Embassy Consul Kristin Bongiovanni and Information Specialist Folli Teko visited Bouna, in the north-eastern region of Cote d’Ivoire. The visit was part of the Embassy’s “Adopt a Town” program which encourages Embassy staff to reach out to the people of Cote d’Ivoire living in remote areas of the country.

This first visit was dominated by meetings with government’s officials including the Prefect, the Mayor, members of the Conseil General – the local government --, the president of the tribunal and the King of Bouna Djarakoroni II.  Kristin and Folli also visited Bouna senior secondary and a primary school to evaluate the impact of the U.S. Embassy’s fostered Self-Help Program that helped the school provide tables and chairs for the children.

During a visit to Radio Bouna, a community radio station, the Consul presented equipment to the journalists and encouraged them to design programs that promote reconciliation and social cohesion.

The team also spoke to a group of 40 that included heads of local NGOs, women associations, religious leaders, a representative of the Mayor of Bouna and a former participant in the International Visitor Leadership Program on the role of the civil society in local development.