Ivory Coast: Growing despite the challenges

Wafoundani Virginio Silue is the head of the nursery school L’École des Enfants in Bouaké (Ivory Coast). Since 2018, he and his team have been committed to an educational approach that provides children with a safe, warm and vibrant environment in which to develop. His experiences range from the early years of setting up the nursery, through the challenging period of the pandemic, to the current process of carefully redesigning and reopening the facility. Below, he talks about his work and the history of the nursery

Founded in 2018 by Maria Johansson and inspired by Waldorf education, the L’École des Enfants nursery in Bouaké was born out of a desire to offer children a space that respects their natural rhythms and holistic development. From the very beginning, the kindergarten was conceived as a warm and nurturing place where childhood could unfold in an atmosphere of trust – supported by daily rhythms, free play and the mindful presence of the teachers. For two school years, the kindergarten operated in a harmonious and balanced manner. Each year, between 17 and 19 children aged 3 to 5 were admitted. The days were shaped by key elements of Waldorf education: morning circles, stories, drawing, simple craft activities, free play and regular walks in nature. This loving repetition provided the children with a secure framework and strengthened their emotional, social and physical balance.

Most of the children came from military families. Many lived in precarious family situations, characterised by irregular parental presence and domestic tensions. In this context, the kindergarten provided a stable, protective and calming environment. Both mothers and fathers – where present – showed great commitment: despite all the obstacles, they made every effort to bring their children to the nursery, moved by the quality of the activities on offer and by the noticeable changes they observed in their children.

The year 2020 marked a turning point with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Like many educational institutions worldwide, our kindergarten was directly affected. The difficulties faced by families led to a gradual decline in pupil numbers, eventually resulting in the closure of the kindergarten. Yet even then, the educational initiative did not come to a standstill.

During that time, the team decided to maintain contact with some families, particularly those with children with special needs. We visited them, spent time with the children, offered a reassuring presence and maintained a vital continuity of relationships during a period of great uncertainty. This experience reinforced our conviction that Waldorf education thrives above all in human relationships – beyond the walls of an institution.

The project has been led from the outset by me and Adiko N’cho Innocent, who has been working with the children as a dedicated teacher since 2018. To deepen our knowledge, we began Waldorf training at the East African Teacher Training Centre, which continues to this day and is financially supported by the Friends of Waldorf Education.

In 2025, we welcomed a new colleague to the team: Logon Menan Aquilas is strengthening the momentum of the reconstruction with great dedication and forward-looking optimism.

Today, the kindergarten is in a phase of purposeful renewal. Ahead of the reopening, particular emphasis is being placed on training volunteers in Anthroposophy and Waldorf education to lay a solid foundation for the future. The reopening is viewed as a fresh start, nourished by the experiences of the past and a renewed trust in the powers of childhood.

The moments that give this work its deepest meaning are still very much alive: the morning circles, the stories, the drawings and the walks in nature. These simple moments serve as a reminder that, even after a hiatus, everything that has been sown with care continues to bear fruit.

Wafoundani Virginio Silue