The “Espérance de Vie – Côte d’Ivoire” – Report on the Dance-Rhythm Therapy and Literacy Activities Stay

Organizer: Association Espérance de Vie (Headquarters: Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire)
Location: Côte d’Ivoire (Abidjan & Municipality of Daloa)
Period: July 2026
Team: Facilitators, volunteers, and partners

A Mission Dedicated to Solidarity and Well-being

In July 2026, the association Espérance de Vie, based in the municipality of Daloa, organized a major socio-educational and therapeutic mission supporting women and young girls across both local community settings and correctional facilities.

The mission focused on two essential pillars for empowerment and personal growth:

• Dance-Rhythm- Therapy: A dedicated space for physical expression, emotional relief, and mental well-being.

• Literacy Classes: Interactive workshops designed to strengthen foundational learning and foster independence in daily life.

1. Warm Welcome and Institutional Engagement in Daloa

From day one, field visits reflected a strong spirit of community and solidarity, notably through meaningful exchanges with women’s associations in the Kennedy 2 neighborhood.

Led by Espérance de Vie, the mission also established strong institutional connections:

• Municipal Audience: A constructive meeting with the 1st Deputy Mayor of the municipality of Daloa.

• Penitentiary Administration: A working session with the Deputy Commander of the Daloa Civil Prison and the Director of Prison Social Services.

• Local Partnerships: Support from local businesses (notably DM Afrique and Boulangerie Prince), which assisted with logistics by donating supplies, T-shirts, and meals.

2. Major Initiatives at the Daloa Civil Prison

One of the mission’s key highlights took place at the Daloa Civil Prison, where the team implemented targeted interventions:

• Social & Nutritional Support: Distribution of a traditional breakfast (millet porridge and cakes).

• Literacy Workshops: High enthusiasm and active engagement during classes held in the educational facility.

• Dance-Rhythm- Therapy Sessions: A comforting break in the prison courtyard, gathering nearly two-thirds of the female inmates in an atmosphere of release and connection.

3. Community Engagement: Kennedy 2, Orly, and Abattoir 2

Across the different neighborhoods of Daloa, workshops helped build lasting trust with participants:

• Kennedy 2 Neighborhood: After adjusting initial schedules, regular attendance paid off: participants opened up, confidence grew, and literacy progress was remarkably encouraging.

• Orly Neighborhood (Gnouweita Association): Massive turnout of young girls for dance-rhythm- therapy. To bridge language barriers, live interpretation into Dioula was introduced to translate song lyrics and facilitate self-expression.

• Abattoir 2 / Dar Es Salam Neighborhood (Femmes Battantes Association): A festive closing ceremony featuring traditional dance, a tour of the literacy classroom provided by the Principal of the Dar Es Salam High School, and donations of supplies and food from Espérance de Vie and the volunteer team.

4. Key Takeaways and Future Outlook

This mission successfully demonstrates the direct impact of hands-on community work: dance-rhythm- therapy offers essential emotional relief, while literacy provides a concrete foundation for long-term empowerment.

Priority Goals for Future Initiatives:

1. Sustaining Literacy Programs: Securing ongoing funding and partnerships to keep classrooms open year-round (especially in Dar Es Salam).

2. Extending Session Durations: Planning longer missions (ideally one month) to fully consolidate the therapeutic and educational benefits for participants.

Acknowledggments

The Espérance de Vie association extends its heartfelt gratitude to:

• Our volunteer teachers and facilitators (Silvia Coletto, Nathalie Léger, Rossella Xillovich) for their extraordinary dedication and energy on the ground.

• The municipal and prison authorities of Daloa for their trust and continued support.

• The partner associations and local stakeholders and Italian association ‘Crearti’ ( Turin-Italy) for their essential collaboration in serving the women and young girls of Daloa.

Communications Department of the association
‘Espérance de Vie’