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Alfalit International is in the process of starting literacy and community development programs in Ivory Coast.
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Background:
Ivory Coast ( officially the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire), is a country in West Africa. Côte d’Ivoire has an area of 322,462 km2, and borders the countries of Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana; its southern boundary is along the Gulf of Guinea. The country’s population is estimated to be 18,373,060 in 2008.
The country became independent on 7 August 1960. From 1960 to 1993, it was led by Félix Houphouët-Boigny. Côte d’Ivoire maintained close political and economic association with its West African neighbors, while at the same time the country maintained close ties to the West, especially to France. However, since the end of Houphouët-Boigny’s rule, the country has experienced two coups d’état (1999 and 2001) and a civil war, but recent elections and a political agreement between the new government and the rebels have brought a return to peace.[10]
Today, Côte d’Ivoire is a republic with a strong executive power personified in the President. Its capital is Yamoussoukro and the official language is French. The country is divided into 19 regions and 58 departments.
The country, through its production of coffee and cocoa, was an economic powerhouse during the 1960s and 1970s in West Africa. However, Côte d’Ivoire went through an economic crisis in the 1980s, leading to the country’s period of political and social turmoil. The 21st century Ivorian economy is largely market-based and relies heavily on agriculture, with smallholder cash crop production being dominant. About a quarter of the population live below the international poverty line of US$1.25 a day.
Education:
Illiteracy Rate: 52%
