Modibo Coulibaly

I am member of an association called AJDPS. Being leader was already in my head and I told myself that one day I would become a leader […] I learned about my rights and duties, about community life, all through AJCAD […]

My community is proud of me and sees me as a messenger. I'm a link between my community and the authorities […] I encourage my young brothers and sisters not to sit outside drinking tea, but to seek information. It is by seeking information that we can learn and understand many things, and I also ask them to pay their taxes […] New citizens don't become new citizens by saying so; new citizens are made through your actions.

Bintou Toure

Before hearing about AJCAD, I was a shy person and withdrawn, but thanks to AJCAD I opened doors that many others couldn't have done. It's thanks to AJCAD that I [spoke] in front of authorities like the governor, commissioners and mayors.

I took part in a lot of leadership trainings, particularly in women's leadership […] AJCAD opened our eyes to many realities and when we really saw these realities we said to ourselves it’s really time; it’s up to us to act and bring change […] The way I lead my talks, I often lead them generally with exchanges between us all, I don't monopolise the speaking time […] topics covered revolve around gender-based violence and female leadership […] While I was giving talks at AJCAD literacy centres, one of the beneficiaries said that thanks to our talks […] it allowed her to communicate better with her husband, to be more open in her home and also in housework.

The message I want to send to young people is to commit to their causes, because when you sit back and let someone else fight your battle every time, I don't really see if we can get results […] I really urge them to get involved, to train, to study, and we will succeed in this fight.