Board Members
Marie-Pierre A.
Born and raised in Côte d’Ivoire, Marie-Pierre completed her primary and secondary education in her home country before moving to the Netherlands in 2006. With a natural affinity for numbers and a deep sense of compassion, she has always felt called to help those in need. Together with Stefano, she co-founded BleuGrys to formalize a lifetime of commitment to community and education.
Stefano H.
Stefano co-founded BleuGrys alongside Marie-Pierre.
Our partners
We work closely with a local organization called Kanien, which means “Light.” Kanien is a women-led foundation based in the Agboville region. It brings women together in cooperatives, where they work on plantations and sell their products to support their families and communities.
Why our work in Côte d’Ivoire matters
In the rural villages of Côte d’Ivoire, life can be incredibly challenging. There are few opportunities, limited access to healthcare, and little to do. Families rely heavily on the land for survival, depending on good weather and basic farming to sustain themselves. Economic growth and trade are almost non-existent.
Children often drop out of school—sometimes even before finishing primary education—to help their parents in the fields or at home. For young girls, early pregnancy is one of the biggest barriers to personal growth, cutting their future short before it even begins. Boys, on the other hand, tend to mirror the behavior of adults around them, without access to proper guidance or sexual education.
This reality traps entire generations in a cycle of poverty. With limited access to resources, children are left with few choices—working on the land or marrying early.
Although some dream of a better life in the cities, very few succeed. The city can be unforgiving, especially for children without skills, education, or support. It’s estimated that only around 2% of those who leave rural communities actually manage to build a better life. But those few who do succeed often give back—sharing knowledge, financial support, and new networks that can uplift their original communities in powerful ways.
That's were we come in...
Our foundation is committed to breaking this cycle by creating simple, sustainable ways to support educational development—both during and beyond primary school—for children who show promise.
We focus on using what’s already there: the strength of the local school systems and the power of community, especially through women’s associations. By building on what works, learning from experience, and avoiding what doesn’t, we aim to create a growing network of change across communities.
We believe that lifting even a few children out of poverty can have a ripple effect—one that inspires lasting progress and hope for generations to come.
About us
Our mission is to support children in rural Côte d’Ivoire by providing access to education, protecting them from abuse and child labour, and offering age-appropriate sexual education.
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The story of Djahi
A Legacy of Education and Resilience
Early Life
Djahi was born around 1946. The exact year remains uncertain because he was born in the village of Elovi, where no official administration existed at the time to record births. This was still during the French colonial period, which had a significant impact on the country—particularly in the field of education. Schools began to open, making it possible for many children to attend school for the first time.
Djahi’s father, having lived through the colonial era, understood that those who could read, write, and speak French had better chances of building a successful life. Religious figures, such as nuns, also encouraged families to send their children to school.
Family
In Djahi’s family, there were Hélène, Claudine, one sister and three brothers who have since passed away, and Djahi himself. Unlike most of his siblings, Djahi continued his education. While one of his brothers and sisters also went to school, neither completed primary education.
At home, the family needed help with everyday tasks—working on the plantation, cleaning, and cooking. Djahi’s father made the difficult decision to send three of his children to school, while the others stayed home to support the family. Two out of the three dropped out early, leaving Djahi as the only one to continue his education. His siblings remained in the fields or helped around the house.
Life in the Village
Village life was simple but demanding. During school holidays, Djahi and his siblings worked on the plantations of the elders to earn a little money. Their mother regularly borrowed 500 francs (around €0.30) to pay for school fees.
This continued until Djahi reached sixth grade, when he moved to Abidjan, to the Attecoubé neighborhood near Treichville—about 18 kilometers away on foot from his host family. Later, buses became available.
After completing primary school, Djahi’s teachers recognized his potential and encouraged him to continue his studies in Abidjan. With all of his parents’ savings, Djahi set off for the city in search of a better future. His father placed him with a host family he barely knew.
The family's savings were given to the host household, who agreed to provide Djahi with a roof over his head—on the condition that he helped with household chores like cleaning.
When Djahi returned to the village, his parents made it clear that they had done all they could. From that point on, his future would depend entirely on him.
Djahi took this message to heart and applied himself with great determination to his studies, though the path was far from easy.
Education in the City
In 1959, Djahi enrolled at the Collège d’Orientation de Treichville and later at the Lycée Technique (Technical Secondary School), where he was granted a spot in a boarding house.
For three years, Djahi woke up every day at 5 a.m. and walked three and a half hours to school. He didn’t return home until 8 p.m. After school, he cleaned, washed dishes, and studied under streetlights when needed. During high school, he earned a partial scholarship that allowed him to complete his final three years as a boarding student.
In 1966, Djahi graduated from the Technical Secondary School and was accepted to continue his studies in France to become an electrical engineer.
Career and Legacy
After three years of hard work, Djahi returned to Côte d’Ivoire in 1969, determined to settle down and support his family. One of his professors referred him to a peer at the national electricity company (Compagnie Ivoirienne d'Électricité), where he was immediately hired. Djahi remained with the company until his retirement.
By then, his parents were aging, and his sisters had many children. Djahi married Amah, raised eight children of his own, and supported the education of his brothers’ and sisters’ children. The ripple effect of his commitment to education has impacted hundreds of lives.
He never forgot his roots. Djahi continued to help friends and relatives from Elovi, hosting children in his home and supporting their academic paths. Over the years, he even contributed to bringing electricity to his village—changing the lives of many.
Djahi’s story reminds us of the long-term impact that access to education can have on rural communities when just one child is given a fair chance.
In primary school, there were about 24 children from Elovi. Only nine made it to middle school, and just three—including Djahi—completed high school. Two of them remained in the city, and today, all three have children who are thriving in their studies and lives.
Through his dedication to education and family, Djahi created opportunities for others and gave back to his community in ways that will echo for generations to come.
BleuGrys mission was inspired by the educational journey of Djahi
Inspired by Djahi’s story?
Help us give more children the same chance to learn, grow, and give back. Every donation makes a lasting difference.
info@bluegrys.org
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BleuGrys
Adress: Korte Ouderkerkerdijk 1
Kanien Cooperative
Address: Elovi – Cote d’Ivoire
Director: Anoua Amah