“Be Among High-Achievers” delegations conclude trips to Togo, [...]

Male and female high school student delegations, taking part in the "Be Among High-Achievers" program, have concluded their trips to Republics of Togo, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was organized by Kuwait Fund, in cooperation with the Education Ministry, during the period January 17th to 25th.

Kuwait Fund has organized several cultural and entertainment tours within the trip's program, last of whom was in the city of Ouidah in Benin where the students visited "House of Brazil" or "House of Memory", a museum showcasing the history of slave trade, and the "Door of No Return", a memorial arch symbolizing the final port for slaves before being sent across the Atlantic Ocean, Saleh Al-Taqi, supervisor of the male student delegation to Togo and Benin, said.

The delegation also visited the "Amazon Statue" in the city of Cotonou, which honors the legendary Dahomey women warriors, and the Graffiti Wall, considered as the longest graffiti arts wall in Africa.

The students also visited Ganvie village, known as "Venice of Africa" due to being one of the largest wooden stilts-built villages in the world, in addition to paying visits to the Agoualand Zoo and the Cotton Factory, through which they learned about the significance of Benin as the biggest cotton exporter in the African continent. They also visited the Cashew Factory and learned about the importance of Cashew as one of Benin's main agricultural exports.

Furthermore, the students visited the (Ouidah - Allada) road and (Pahou - Tori) slip road improvement project, which Kuwait Fund contributed to financing. They learned about the importance of the project in facilitating transportation between cities and villages, improving the quality of life for local residents, and enhancing the infrastructure in the region.

The delegation also visited the Coastal Protection of the East Coast of Cotonou project, which Kuwait Fund also contributed to financing. The students learned about the efforts exerted to protect the coast from erosion, as well as its environmental and economic impacts.

On the sidelines of the trip, the delegation met with Deputy Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry in Benin Amour-Marie Ako, who expressed his country's appreciation for Kuwait Fund's choice of Benin as a destination country for this year's "Be Among Well-Achievers" program, adding that this reflects the profound friendly relationship between the two nations.

Akou pointed out that this visit is an important opportunity for students to learn about Benin's history and culture, explore its prominent landmarks, and understand the impact of Kuwaiti-Beninese cooperation by visiting the development projects implemented with the support of Kuwait Fund, which benefit the local population and improve their daily lives.

For his part, Walid Al-Shammari, student, said "Visiting Cotton and Cashew factories were enjoyable experiences. What fascinated me the most was visiting the (Ouidah - Allada) road project, where I saw how infrastructure can make a huge difference in improving people's lives and connecting communities."

On the other hand, Fatima Al-Turkait, supervisor of the female student delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, said the trip included visits to several development project sites financed by Kuwait Fund in Bosnia, including the Kakanj - Donja Gracanica highway project, which connects northern and southern Bosnia.

The delegation also visited the Nemila - Donja Gracanica road project, one of the latest projects financed by Kuwait Fund and slated for completion by March 2026. The project aims to significantly reduce traffic congestion and accidents on current roads, and save travel time.

Furthermore, the delegation visited the financial facilitation project for Privendna Bank, which Kuwait Fund contributed to financing in 1997. The students learned about the importance of this project in rebuilding and rehabilitating infrastructure in Bosnia, revitalizing the economy by creating new job opportunities, and fostering an active economic environment across the country.

The delegation also visited "Sunnyland" amusement park and the Museum of Optical Illusions in Sarajevo city center, in addition to the ski resort in Mount Bjelasnica, a top winter destination in Bosnia. The students also explored the old town markets in the Bascarsija area of Sarajevo, which dates back to the 15th century and is considered the city's cultural and commercial heart.

The students also visited the "Tunnel of Salvation," built during the Siege of Sarajevo in the Bosnia War from 1992 to 1995, which was a crucial route for transporting food and supplies under siege. They also visited Una National Park, one of the most beautiful nature spots in the capital.

Moreover, the delegation toured the Gazi Husrev-Beg's Bezistan, a bazaar that dates back to the 16th century. The students also enjoyed a cable car ride to Mount Trebevic and experienced the stunning natural landmarks and fresh air. The delegation also visited the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was rebuilt in 1996 to serve as a center for education and knowledge.

On the sidelines of the tours, the delegation visited the Kuwaiti Embassy in Sarajevo, where they were received by Abdullah Al-Bahar, Diplomatic Attache and Charge d'Affaires, and Suleiman Al-Sabihi, Diplomatic Attache. They provided the students with a thorough lecture about the embassy's vital role in Bosnia, and highlighted the solid ties between the State of Kuwait and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina that date back to 1997.

For her part, Nawal Al-Hajri, student, said, "we learned about Kuwait's role in managing and improving the Kakanj - Donja Gracanica highway project. We have also enjoyed our time during visiting to Sunnyland amusement park, and it was fun and entertaining experience."

It is worth mentioning that the two trips were part of the fourteenth edition of "Be Among High-Achievers" initiative, launched by Kuwait Fund in 2010 as part of its local initiatives.

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