On May 23, 2023 the Ambassador of the United States of America Jessica Davis Ba, accompanied by a delegation, visited the elementary school of Nagounkaha in Ivory Coast, to see and learn about the implementation of the McGovern-Dole program on school canteen operations and reading instruction.
Ambassador Davis Ba met the components of the project implemented by AVSI and was able to attend a learning-to-read session. The students were delighted to talk with Her, and presented their various achievements to her, notably the making of liquid soap for hand washing and canteen dishes.
Davis Ba expressed her satisfaction: "It's a whole ecosystem that supports these children. It is an honor on behalf of the American people to partner with the Ivorian people. I'm happy to see the impact of our investment.”
Thanks to the McGovern-Dole program, 613 elementary schools can serve a hot meal to students, have libraries, and school materials, and carry out wash activities. The project “Integrated School Feeding and Literacy” project is in its second phase (2021-2025), funded by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), led by the World Food Program and implemented by AVSI in 7 regions of Ivory Coast.