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After seven months away, Lotti and Aziz return to Grand-Bassam to an emotional homecoming. From heartfelt reunions at the Centre Espoir to inspiring stories like Ernest’s, this trimester letter highlights the profound impact of your continued support. Read the latest newsletter
Dear donors,
I wish you all a happy New Year, above all, good health, light, love and peace. Even though my wishes come a little late, they are no less heartfelt. I spent the festive season in Geneva with Aziz, our children and our grandchildren. It was a very happy time, and I so enjoyed the fact that, after many years, we were all together again.
And now to this trimester letter and to the question of why Barbara and I are once again sharing it. The reason is that, after seven months away, Aziz and I flew back to Grand-Bassam at the beginning of January. Our arrival felt like coming home. My soul took flight and my heartbeat doubled. How deeply I had missed them all, indeed everything.
But let me begin at the beginning. On the morning of 9 January, we boarded the plane in minus six degrees and landed in the evening in plus twenty-eight degrees. Home! The children were waiting for us, and I had to lean against a wall so as not to be knocked over by them. “Maman Lotti, Papa Aziz,” they cried as they ran towards us – what a beautiful feeling.
The next day, the very first place I went to, was to visit the sick in our hospital. There I met patients who had already been hospitalised when we left and who were delighted to see us again. I was happy to find them, as well as those newly admitted, in good spirits and full of gratitude. Where else are they welcomed so warmly and given financial support? Afterwards I went to the outpatient clinic, where I was welcomed with great excitement, embraces and tears of joy. I scarcely knew where to begin listening. The most important thing I heard was this: everyone is well.
Barbara and Llum have settled in very well. During those seven months, Barbara also contacted me regularly to ask for advice, for which I am most grateful.
Aziz and I then settled into our little house in Ayobâ, our village. What an atmosphere: peaceful and calm. A true place of peace, where there is no quarrelling, where understanding, tolerance and friendship prevail. When I sat on my small terrace in the morning, listening to the African music played by the village chief, watching our hens, observing the splendid weaver birds building their beautiful nests, seeing the bats sleeping upside down in the coconut palms, breathing in the scent of coffee and fresh bread, and watching the elderly residents begin their day, I was reminded anew with every moment that this life given to me is a grace.
That these old, poor, disabled people have found a home with us, that they are happy and deeply content, is the greatest gift I have ever received. And now to live among them and to be able, at any time, simply to walk over to the children, to the patients or to the outpatient clinic, is another gift. And the fact that Barbara and Llum care for our project so well and with such love makes my heart light. How grateful I am for all of this.
How difficult it was when it began 28 years ago, when I used to drive into the slums in my old Pajero and collect the dying. How hard those early days in Adjouffou were, when nobody wanted us because we took in “contaminated” people. How often our children were insulted: “You dirty AIDS dog.” And how often I had to comfort them, wipe away tears and answer questions.
God has been good to me in giving me the strength to build up this humanitarian project. And you all, my dear and faithful benefactresses and benefactors, have never abandoned us. To receive your trust and your help is a very great honour. I thank you a thousand times.
Lotti in front of her little house in Ayobâ with the donkey, surrounded by the children of the Centre
In Ayobâ, the houses have no numbers; instead, they are marked with pictures of animals. The children chose a donkey for our little house, although they did not know that it is my favourite animal. So, I asked them, “Why a donkey of all animals?” Their answer moved me to tears: “Because, like you, it can carry very heavy burdens.”
In the meantime, we are back in the cold. You may guess three times where my next journey will take me. But yes, there is still time until then. I now know that Grand-Bassam is in good hands and that everything has turned out as I had hoped – another gift in my life.
God bless you.
Lotti Latrous
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Dear donors,
At the beginning of this new year, on behalf of the entire team at Centre Espoir and all our residents, I would like to extend our warmest wishes to you. May 2026 bring you health, serenity and happiness. Your generosity and faithfulness are, and remain, the driving force behind our mission, and for this we thank you wholeheartedly.
In Bassam, after a lovely Christmas celebration, we had the joy of welcoming Lotti and Aziz in the New Year and of sharing in the happiness of reunion. Lotti listened, comforted, cared and shared precious moments with the children, the elderly residents, the sick and our staff. Papa Aziz, meanwhile, moved from one centre to another, assisting with the annual maintenance work – repairing, painting and renovating. Their departure has left traces of their presence – both in our hearts and in our living and working environment. For me personally, this visit was also a precious opportunity to receive Lotti’s advice, which I always value.
Today I would like to introduce Ernest, our new Assistant for Administration and Human Resources. Ernest is 27 years old, a qualified lawyer, highly motivated and extremely professional. He is a great support to our team. Welcoming him is a double joy: to benefit from his help in our daily work, and at the same time to witness the profound impact that Lotti and Centre Espoir have had on his life.
A childhood photo of Ernest
Probably, it was never foreseen that Ernest would become the young man he is today. His mother died when he was a baby; his father when he was six years old. He and his two sisters were orphaned at an early age; one of his sisters suffered from a serious illness. Lotti entered their lives when she treated his sister and met little Ernest, who had never attended school. At the age of eight, thanks to Centre Espoir, he was able to attend the primary school next to the centre. He discovered his love of learning, caught up on what he had missed, skipped classes and eventually became one of the best pupils. His encounter with Lotti and the educational and social support of Centre Espoir paved the way for others to accompany him along his path, until he became the man he is today.
Ernest with his two sisters
Ernest’s story represents the 772 educational grants we were able to provide in 2025. With great joy, we accompany all these “young and older Ernests” who may seize an opportunity and realise a life path they could never have imagined without such support. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for enabling us to support so many children and their families.
Barbara