Essential
The humanitarian organization Children of the Aïr gathers its members in Corbarieu for its annual general meeting. Between the renewal of the board of directors and the assessment of engagement in Guinea, the field action remains at the heart of its mission.
The humanitarian association Children of the Aïr (EDA) will hold its annual general meeting on Saturday, March 28, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, at 1663 Chemin de Montamat in Corbarieu. Open to all, this meeting will be followed by a refreshment at 7:00 PM. Participants are invited to confirm their attendance by email at contact@eda.ong.
Established in February 2000 by a group of friends, the association originated from a meeting between its founder, Patty Soupa, and a Tuareg during the Paris-Dakar rally. Initially focused on Niger, in the difficult-to-access region of the Aïr, EDA organized truck convoys loaded with equipment. The increasing insecurity then led the association to redirect its actions to other countries in West Africa, before settling permanently in Guinea, where it operates today.
During this assembly, the moral and activity report, financial report, and conclusions of the auditor will be presented. Members will also need to approve the accounts for the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2025, and proceed with the complete renewal of the board of directors, elected for three years.
President for a year, after holding the position of secretary for 25 years, Isabelle Assié emphasizes the association’s field commitment: “Our difference compared to other humanitarian organizations is that we go on-site to train local teams to become autonomous.”
EDA mainly intervenes in the fields of health, education, and agriculture. The association sends medical equipment, develops digital education solutions adapted to areas without electricity, especially through solar equipment, and supports agricultural projects. Each year, eight to nine missions are organized in Guinea, mobilizing teams of three to fifteen volunteers for stays of about fifteen days.
With 150 to 200 members spread across France and neighboring countries, EDA relies on a network of diverse volunteers – healthcare providers, technicians, farmers, and logisticians. In Corbarieu, a local group meets every Thursday to receive, sort, and prepare donations in a dedicated warehouse.
Through fundraising activities, partnerships, and a strong volunteer commitment – equivalent to ten to eleven full-time jobs – the association dedicates 90 percent of the donations collected directly to its projects on the ground.
