An Ivorian NGO since 2008

For children and the nature around them.

With MAYA, children discover their environment, share ideas and learn to care for it at school and in their communities.

Discover our work
Illustration of children discovering nature near their school

Who are we?

About ONG MAYA

Founded by Ivorian pharmacists, MAYA helps children learn about the environment and understand how to protect natural resources. It encourages young people to take an active role and combines education with solidarity actions in communities.

Our goals

  • Give children useful knowledge about their environment.
  • Help them understand the links between water, waste, nature and health.
  • Help them become citizens who take responsibility for their actions.

Our areas of work

Water and aquatic environments; air and noise; waste and pollution; nature, landscapes and living environments; energy and environmental risks.

We encourage everyone to use resources carefully and to help create a healthy environment through everyday actions.

Projects to develop

  • Provide bins in schools and encourage waste sorting.
  • Create educational materials and tree-planting activities with children.
  • Use theatre and poetry to talk about the environment.
  • Strengthen social support for people who need it.

These project ideas come from MAYA’s presentation document; activities already carried out are described under ‘Our work’.

Our story

An idea that keeps growing

ONG MAYA CÔTE D’IVOIRE was founded in 2008 by Ivorian pharmacists keen to raise children’s awareness of the environment. From the start, it brought children together around books, games and ecological activities at Riviera 3 in Abidjan and later at the Boys’ Orphanage in Bingerville.

In Boundiali, environmental classes explored water and waste with pupils, while women learned about plastic waste management. The work continued in Adzopé with children and teachers. MAYA has also organised solidarity activities for families, widows and orphans, and moments of sharing with children. Today, the association continues its educational work and is preparing new partnerships with schools.

Our documented activities

Milestones along the way

A press article and MAYA’s activity reports show how environmental education took shape with children and their communities.

Bingerville · 2009

Celebrating children

On 13 June 2009, at the Boys’ Orphanage in Bingerville, MAYA took part in a ceremony recognising children for their school results, cleanliness and sociability, following environmental awareness activities. Read the press article.

Boundiali · 2018

Learning through play

At Koné Dodo Primary School, environmental classes on water and waste brought together more than 400 children. Fun workshops, inter-class competitions and a fair marked the year.

Boundiali · 2018

Working with market women

161 women learned about plastic waste management. According to the report, 14 of them subsequently took part in collecting and selling this waste.

Adzopé · 2019

Exploring water and waste

At TP-Commerce 2 Primary School, environmental classes enabled more than 600 children to learn about nature, pollution and ways to protect the environment.

Koumassi and Adzopé · 2018–2019

Gathering and caring

In 2018, MAYA co-organised a celebration and donations for 72 orphans and 44 widows in Koumassi. In 2019, a Christmas celebration in Adzopé combined games and questions about the environment. MAYA also offered a prevention session to 322 teachers in the Adzopé region.

2009 activity documented by Le Temps on 19 June 2009; 2018 and 2019 figures are from MAYA’s activity reports.

Abidjan · Riviera 3 · 2008

MAYA’s ecological Christmas celebration

At Riviera 3 in Abidjan, MAYA held an ecological Christmas celebration in 2008. Children enjoyed games, books, time together and activities about caring for their environment.

Children gathered around someone dressed as Father Christmas
Celebrating with children
Children and adults gathered around a bin in a garden
A small act for cleanliness
Illustrated and educational books displayed on a table
Books to spark curiosity
A child holding a book tied with a ribbon
A child with her book
Children and adults taking part in a garden activity
A group activity
Adults talking in front of an ONG MAYA banner
Conversations about MAYA
Children and adults gathered around a table during the celebration
A moment of sharing
Children in a swimming pool and adults nearby
Games at the celebration
Three MAYA members in front of an association banner
The MAYA team
A MAYA member in front of an association banner
A MAYA member

With the Boys’ Orphanage in Bingerville

Bingerville in pictures

Children gathered with MAYA, activities and books prepared for the occasion. These photos complement the story of MAYA’s work in Bingerville in 2009.

Children in MAYA T-shirts gathered in front of an NGO banner
Children gathered with MAYA
A young participant wearing a MAYA T-shirt
A young participant
Books and school supplies arranged in bundles on a table
Books prepared for the children
A representative wearing a MAYA cap speaks into a microphone
A speech
A MAYA representative welcomes guests
Meeting the guests
Children and adults taking part in an activity under a shelter
A group activity
A MAYA representative with a child holding books
A child with his books
Children wearing MAYA T-shirts seated at the gathering
The young participants
A MAYA representative and a child hold a bundle of supplies
A gift of school supplies
Children outdoors around a MAYA banner
A gathering outdoors

In the field · Boundiali, 2018

Boundiali in pictures

These photos show a gathering and donations in which MAYA took part in Boundiali in 2018.

People seated together at a meeting in Boundiali
A group meeting
Participants at a donation event, including a representative wearing the MAYA logo
Donations being handed over
A representative wearing the MAYA logo gives a box of clothing to a woman
Clothes shared

Solidarity · 2021

Donations for widows and orphans

In 2021, MAYA donated to widows and orphans in the SHALOM COMPASSION community. Here are moments shared with the families.

Donations handed to women at a SHALOM COMPASSION gathering
A gathering in solidarity
A MAYA representative gives a present to a child
Gifts for children
A MAYA representative gives a wrapped present to a child seen from behind
A moment of sharing

At school · Adzopé, 2024

At Naza School

In 2024, MAYA visited Naza School in Adzopé. The photos show a meeting there and MAYA’s environmental charter, which invites everyone to care for nature, water and their surroundings.

A MAYA representative and another participant in front of festive decorations
A meeting at school
Two participants shaking hands at the meeting
An exchange
MAYA poster titled Our Environmental Charter, with advice on nature, water, energy and cleanliness
Our environmental charter

Children’s guide · ONG MAYA

How can I?

Care for myself, others and nature: simple things to try every day, at home, at school and with friends. I can read this guide with an adult.

A child washing her hands with soap and water

Clean hands and a tidy home

How do I wash my hands properly?

  1. I wet my hands and use soap.
  2. I rub for at least 20 seconds: palms, backs of hands, between my fingers and around my nails.
  3. I rinse and dry my hands with a clean towel.

I remember to do this before eating and after using the toilet, playing outside or blowing my nose.

How can I keep my home pleasant?

  1. I put my things away and throw rubbish in the bin.
  2. I leave the toilet clean for the next person.
  3. I ask an adult for help with cleaning products, electrical sockets and sharp objects.

My challenge: show someone how to wash their hands properly.

Children tidying and cleaning their classroom

A classroom where it’s good to learn

How can I care for my classroom?

  1. I keep my desk and school supplies clean.
  2. I put paper and other waste in the right bin.
  3. If something spills, I tell an adult and help if I can.

How can I care for my school?

  1. I use the toilet without making a mess, then wash my hands.
  2. I respect the playground, plants and shared equipment.
  3. If I see a water leak or something dangerous, I tell an adult.

My challenge: choose a small part of the school to keep clean with my classmates.

A child helping an adult put away books and toys

In the car and at home

How should I behave in a car?

  1. I sit in my place and buckle up; an adult checks that my child seat suits my size.
  2. I stay seated during the journey and don’t distract the driver.
  3. I keep my rubbish with me until I find a bin.

How can I get along at home?

  1. I speak respectfully and listen to others.
  2. I help put my things away without being reminded.
  3. If I feel angry or worried, I tell a trusted adult how I feel.

My challenge: offer to help with a simple task today.

A child turning off a tap while another puts a bottle in a bin

Friends and water to protect

How can I treat others at school?

  1. I say hello, listen and let everyone join the games.
  2. I don’t make fun of others or accept pushing.
  3. If someone is excluded or hurt, I tell an adult.

How can I protect water?

  1. I turn off the tap when I’m not using water.
  2. I tell an adult about a leak instead of letting water run.
  3. I don’t throw rubbish or chemicals into drains, rivers or water sources.

My challenge: count how many taps I remember to close.

Children tending a young tree and picking up litter in a schoolyard

My environment matters too

How can I care for nature?

  1. I put rubbish in a bin and follow sorting rules when there are any.
  2. I care for trees, flowers and animals without harming them.
  3. I reuse paper or an object that is still useful before throwing it away.

How can I avoid waste?

  1. I turn off the light when I leave a room, if an adult says I may.
  2. I take only what I can eat or use.
  3. I suggest an idea for keeping my school clean.

My challenge: pick up a safe piece of litter with an adult’s permission, then wash my hands.

My challenge for the week

I choose a few things to try. I can ask an adult to help me.

  • I wash my hands with soap.
  • I put my things away at home.
  • I leave my classroom and school clean.
  • I wear my seat belt in the car.
  • I speak kindly and help a classmate.
  • I turn off the tap and care for a plant.
Every small action matters. I’ll start with one today!

MAYA document

Our environmental charter

Ideas we share with children for caring for nature, water, air and their neighbourhood.

The original charter is available in French.

Read the original French charter

A recent memory · Adzopé

The 2025 Christmas celebration in pictures

In December 2025, MAYA brought children together in Adzopé for an end-of-year celebration. Here are a few moments from that day.

ONG MAYA Christmas 2025 decorations, with a tree on stage
A celebration in MAYA colours
Children taking part in an activity on stage during the Christmas celebration
Children on stage
Children gathered at tables during a shared celebration
A moment of sharing

Christmas · Agboville, 2025

A Christmas celebration in Agboville

In 2025, MAYA also celebrated Christmas with children in Agboville. The preparations and gifts tell the story of the day.

Table with gift bags and supplies under a tent before the celebration
The preparations
A young child holding a present at the Christmas celebration
The joy of gifts
Two children holding gifts in front of adults running the celebration
A moment for the children

A project in preparation

A clean school: a challenge for everyone

In Adzopé, MAYA is preparing a proposal for NASA PLUS School: a shared challenge to improve school cleanliness and reduce litter.

Pupils would aim to improve their results each week. Parents and school staff would be involved in planning and monitoring. A celebration at the end of the project is envisaged for 18 December 2026, subject to the school’s agreement.

The programme and its arrangements will be defined with the school leadership.

A challenge for children

  1. Look around their school and see what can be improved.
  2. Find ways to avoid litter.
  3. Care for their space with adult support.
  4. Share what they have learned at a celebration.

Our path

A mission in Côte d’Ivoire, connections beyond borders

MAYA’s activities are for children in Côte d’Ivoire. From Portugal, its founder continues coordinating the work and seeking partners, including in France for books and French-language educational resources.

Côte d’Ivoire · children and schoolsPortugal · coordinationFrance · search for partners

With gratitude

Thank you to our supporters

We warmly thank the people and organisations that have supported ONG MAYA CÔTE D’IVOIRE. Their generosity and trust encourage us to continue our work with children and for the environment.

  • Ms Nina MEMEL
  • NIMEL GOURMET Traiteur
  • Mr Hassan KANTÉ
  • PETROCI HOLDING
  • Ms Marie Josée SISSOKO
  • Mr Damien GUESSENND
  • Ms Christelle BONNY
  • CHILDREN OF AFRICA FOUNDATION
  • Ms Marie-Edith KAPO
  • Mégane 24 Pharmacy
  • Ms Asta SIDIBÉ
  • Mr and Mrs Isaac FOLY
  • Mr Lambert Sibailly ADIGBO
  • poet Patricia KAKOU-MARCEAU
  • Mr Jean-Luc DALE
  • NASA Plus School, Adzopé