The story of Djahi
A Legacy of Education and Resilience
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 7 children including 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 neighbourhood 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. His father collected all of the family’s savings and set off with Djahi for Abidjan, where he 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 his father returned to the village at the end of that day, he made it clear to his son that he had done all he could. From that point on, Djahi’s future would depend entirely on himself.
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. Once at home, 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 in France, 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, growing up to Director role, 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 support to the family, Djahi created opportunities for others and gave back to his community in ways that will echo for generations to come.
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The story of Djahi
A Legacy of Education and Resilience
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 7 children including 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 neighbourhood 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. His father collected all of the family’s savings and set off with Djahi for Abidjan, where he 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 his father returned to the village at the end of that day, he made it clear to his son that he had done all he could. From that point on, Djahi’s future would depend entirely on himself.
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. Once at home, 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 in France, 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, growing up to Director role, 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 support to the family, Djahi created opportunities for others and gave back to his community in ways that will echo for generations to come.