The atmosphere was festive in Bounda, a small village in the sub-prefecture of Brobo in central Côte d’Ivoire, on September 20, 2025, as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially handed over a rehabilitated village health center and primary school to the people of Bounda. The ceremony included the donation of various equipment and materials.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was the culmination of the handover event held on 20 September, 2025.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was the culmination of the handover event held on 20 September, 2025.© 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The renovations were an answer to prayers for the community. Both the health center and the Bounda village primary school had fallen into disrepair. Their dilapidated conditions actually posed risks for the patrons and students who entered into the buildings. Because of those dire conditions, along with the lack of a canteen for students at the school, the Government had threatened to close the village primary school. Desperate, and with no solution in sight, the Bounda Village Development Association turned to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for help.
The Church responded by completely rehabilitating the health center and school. The health center renovation included a new shelter for patients, a small water tower to help address weather issues and potable water shortages, and medical, office, and IT equipment.
The handover ceremony was attended by numerous regional administrative, political, traditional, and religious authorities. Attendees included the patron of the event, the Minister of Environment and Ecological Transition; a Member of Parliament for the Brobo Sub-Prefecture; the Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Brobo; the Chief Medical Officer of the Brobo Hospital; the Inspector of Primary Education and Literacy; and the President of the Bounda Village Development Association. Also present was Nanan Ahogo Blaise, Chief of the Canton, who was surrounded by his elders and people from several surrounding villages.
President Serges Zadi of the Côte d’Ivoire Yamoussoukro Mission represented The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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The handover celebration featured speeches and expressions of gratitude from the dignitaries and recipients. Mr. Parfait Kouadio, Chief of Staff to the Minister of Environment and Ecological Transition and President of the Gbêkê Regional Council, shared his joy with the audience saying: “Ladies and gentlemen, these infrastructures and materials are not just simple projects; they represent hope and dignity. They offer a tangible solution to the concerns of the people, especially regarding community hygiene and family health. On behalf of the government of Côte d’Ivoire, I would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for this generous gesture with such a high social impact. Through this donation, you have combined words with action, charity with effectiveness, and inscribed your efforts within the framework of sustainable human development.”
Dr. Ahipo Pol Amédée, who oversees the Bounda rural hospital, added: “Dear leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, through your gesture, you show that you care for your fellow human beings. Your timely help is truly welcome, as we have been looking for solutions for years to the non-functionality of this rural hospital, and God has sent you.”
President Zadi presided at the event and urged the community to take great care of the facilities. He explained that this humanitarian work is made possible through the donations of Church members worldwide, whose sacrifices are aggregated into a fund for global aid.
The doctrinal foundation for such work is provided by the Lord in one of the Church’s books of Scripture, Doctrine and Covenants, section 38, verse 35 which tells us that as followers of Christ, we are to “look to the poor and the needy, and administer to their relief that they shall not suffer.” Thus, in their effort to live according to the decrees of God, members of the Church make personal sacrifices and financial donations so that their brothers and sisters in Africa and throughout the world receive help.
Mr. Yao Yao Raymond, President of the Bounda Village Development Association, expressed the community's joy and gratitude on behalf of the Chief of the Canton for this effective and decisive support from the Church. Speaking on behalf of Chief Nanan Ahogo Blaise, he said, “The Chief of the Canton asked me to express his gratitude to the Latter-day Saints. We stand for religious freedom and accept all religious denominations. That’s why we are inviting this Church to establish itself in our village, and we solemnly offer a plot of land for a place of worship.”