Every journey has a beginning.

Ours began with a trip home.

When I first traveled to Côte d'Ivoire with my husband, Yao, I thought I was simply visiting the country where he was born and raised. I expected to meet his family, experience a new culture, and see the places that shaped his childhood.

What I didn't expect was that Côte d'Ivoire would change my life.

From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with open arms. Through Yao's family, lifelong friends, and the communities we visited, I discovered a place filled with warmth, resilience, generosity, and an incredible sense of community.

The more time we spent there, the more we realized something important.

The greatest gift we could offer wasn't simply supplies or donations.

It was our willingness to build relationships, to listen, to learn, and to walk alongside the communities that had welcomed us as family.

That simple realization became the foundation of AYA Project.

What started as visits home has grown into a lifelong commitment to working alongside our friends and partners in Côte d'Ivoire. Together, we support community-led initiatives in education, health, women's empowerment, and opportunities that help families and villages thrive.

But AYA has always been about more than the projects themselves.

It is about the friendships we've built.

The families who have welcomed us.

The volunteers whose lives have been forever changed by experiencing Côte d'Ivoire.

The children whose laughter reminds us that joy can be found everywhere.

And the countless moments that have shown us the true meaning of community.

AYA Project is truly a family effort.

Yao was born and raised in Côte d'Ivoire, and his love for his country is at the heart of everything we do. Sharing his home, his culture, and the people who helped shape his life has become one of the greatest joys of our journey.

As a registered nurse and educator, I have always believed that service has the power to transform lives. Through AYA Project, I have learned that the transformation doesn't happen only within the communities we serve—it happens within ourselves as well.

Today, our family, volunteers, supporters, and friends in both the United States and Côte d'Ivoire continue this journey together.

We believe lasting change happens through trust, partnership, and genuine relationships.

We believe every culture has something to teach us.

We believe every person deserves to be seen, heard, and valued.

Most of all, we believe that when we travel with open hearts, we discover that the things connecting us are far greater than the things separating us.

Welcome to AYA Project.

Welcome to our family.

We hope one day you'll become part of the story.