The Moroccan Contingent of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), on 9 November 2015, made a group of elementary school children very happy in Poyably, a village in Bakoubli sous-prefecture in the department of Toulepleu. Some 15 of them were given school kits by Moroccan peacekeepers when school resumed after All Saints holiday.



The action was greatly appreciated by Aristide Ouattara a fifth grade student who thanked peacekeepers for their gift which comprised notebooks, pens and a geometry set.



"We are overwhelmed with joy because of these gift. We want to reassure UNOCI that these kits will would be put to the appropriate use to help us have excellent results," he said.



The director of the elementary school, Hervé Serges Bako Bredoua, for his part, expressed his school's and parents' gratitude to the Moroccan Contingent. "Children need to be assisted. Your action happened at a very appropriate moment to back up the Government's effort", he said.

"In addition to bringing us peace through security, you support the education of our children. We thank you," he added.



For Captain Brahim Ounich of the Moroccan Contingent, the gesture is part of the peacekeepers civil and military activities to provide support to local people. In addition to our support, this action is an opportunity for us to get closer to the people, including school children, and to participate in the strengthening of the social cohesion.



It should be noted that the school which was created in 1979 has six classes from first to fifth grade with 136 pupils and five teachers, including one volunteer teacher.