Thousands of books are finding new homes in schools across Senegal, thanks to a meaningful partnership between the Mairie de Monaco and the association Aux Coeurs des Mots (ACDM).
Announced on Monday 16th December, the collaboration is part of Monaco’s ongoing commitment to education, culture, and global literacy, with a focus on bringing access to books and the French language to underserved communities.
The initiative, which has already seen 6,000 books delivered to over 40 Senegalese schools—including 1,000 generously donated by Monaco’s Médiathèque last summer—aims to create fully equipped school libraries and train teachers in the effective use of books as educational tools.
At the partnership’s official signing, Monaco’s Mayor Georges Marsan praised the project’s far-reaching impact. “The dissemination of culture, literacy, and education for both boys and girls are causes supported by the Princely Family,” he said. “The Mairie is very honoured to contribute to a project that upholds such humanist and generous ambitions.”
The collaboration will not only continue delivering books to schools but will also help finance the purchase of new works and streamline the collection, sorting, and shipping process. Looking ahead, Aux Coeurs des Mots hopes to expand its efforts beyond Senegal to other regions and countries where access to literature remains limited.
Founded with a clear mission to promote learning and literacy, Aux Coeurs des Mots is now striving to establish long-term educational infrastructure. Hilde Haneuse, President of the association, and Francine Conrad, Project Manager for ACDM’s library initiative, joined Mairie representatives at the signing ceremony to outline the next phase of the project.
Those interested in supporting the cause can contribute to future book collections and outreach efforts by visiting https://auxcoeursdesmots.org/.
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