At the start of the 2026 academic year textbooks, reference works, comic books, dictionaries and novels were sent from the Externat Saint-Joseph/La Cordeille to the Marist school in Ndiakhirate, Dakar, Senegal. The donation was possible by the wonderful synergy of many people involved in our Marist schools in France and beyond!
Once the books were collected, transporting of the 805 kg shipment proved to be a challenge. School staff transported the cargo to the Toulon Navy Defense Base, where a French Navy amphibious helicopter carrier setting sail on a mission to Africa agreed to transport it free of charge. A few weeks later in October, the books were safely delivered to the Institution Mariste Jean Claude Colin de Ndiakhirate and well received by children and teachers alike.
Father Youm, SM, headmaster in Ndiakhirate commented: "This is the second time that such a gesture of solidarity has been made in support of our school, which continues to grow both in terms of its infrastructure and its intellectual and educational development. [...] Once again, we express our deep gratitude and appreciation to all the individuals and institutions that have made this initiative – which brings hope and a brighter future – possible."
