Embassy Newscentre

Latest Embassy News

Deputy Public Affairs Officer Anna Maria Adamo with the artists (Photo: Guy Honore Koffi/US Embassy)

PAS Travels to Bouake to Build on Successful Speaker Programs

Deputy Public Affairs Officer Anna Maria Adamo, accompanied by Cultural Assistant Guy Honore’ Koffi, traveled to Bouake’ September 11-12, 2009, to reinforce contacts with speaker program contacts and explore options for future programs.

As a result of two capacity building workshops for artisans presented by the American Cultural Center’s visiting speaker Ed Jonhetta in Bouake’ in FY 2006 and 2007, approximately 75 Bouake’ artists formed a registered artist association to help them market their products. L’ Association des Artisans du Batiment de Bouake’ includes artists in such diverse fields as drum-making, batik dying, wood sculpture and carving, jewelry, clothing and furniture making. Bouake’, the stronghold of the former rebels, the Force Nouvelle, was especially hard hit during the civil war. Today the artists are struggling to maintain their traditions and support themselves in the face of reduced visitors and a weakened economy.

After taking the DPAO on a tour of the various work areas, the Association directors demonstrated how they had implemented other best practices recommended by the small business development speaker: creating photo albums to showcase their work and printing business cards to distribute to potential clients.  After a warm and informative visit, DPAO traveled to the home of Imam Sylla Mahmoud, who partnered with PAS to cosponsor a conference on tolerance held in Bouake during the IIP speaker visit of Imam Yayah Hendi of Georgetown University in June 2009. The Imam spoke highly of the importance of tolerance and diversity and, like the artists, expressed the desire to continue to work with PAS on these and other vital issues. PAS will seek ways to build on these important relationships in the next fiscal year.

Before leaving Bouake’, DPAO attended a conference on corruption organized by the ECA International Visitors alumni group at which Ambassador Nesbitt offered remarks.