The ED Foundation is, above all, a family story emanating from the faith of self-giving that our parents teached us since our earliest childhood. As long as I can remember, the idea of a foundation for social engagement, although in different form and nature, has always been a reality. Of course, not in the current “Ensemble pour le Développement” format, but the spirit of solidarity, mutual aid, the willingness of giving assistance to those in need etc. has always been paramount to my parents, Hadja Mouminatou BAH, our mother, and El Hadj Amadou Oury DIALLO, our father, for whom giving is an intimate gift and an outward sign of wealth. This is what guided my brothers, sisters and me from our earliest childhood.
We have always seen our parents taking care of others, whether these people are neighbours whose children cannot attend school as they cannot afford to pay school fees; whether they are travellers whose vehicle has broken down just in front of our home and they need either to rest, have water, and / or food; whether they are people from surrounding villages who come to the Pita[1] Thursday Market with their own concerns; whether they are family members who are struggling daily; whether they are simple acquaintances who need a financial boost to launch their small business or need a plot of land to settle with their families; etc.
My parents have never hesitated to get involved to support others. They always knew what to do to find the suitable solution. Even today I remember as if it was yesterday their selflessness in raising the necessary funds to donate: they used to offer food and meals; donate clothes; give land, provide financial support; house and offer shelter to people in difficulty. They have always given their time; and stayed attentive without any hesitation. This is the universe in which I was born and raised.
Without any formal structure, my brothers, sisters, and I decided to take over with the aim to continue this family tradition with the view to perpetuate this heritage of kindness, generosity, and solidarity. However, with the vision to scale up our action in order to reach as many people as possible, it seemed imperative to create a more formal framework. It is with this in mind that I set up The ED Foundation; finding the right formula took some time. In May 2016, I launched the “Center Pitaadji”[2] Foundation with the mandate to providing technical expertise and support in capacity building through training, information, and civic education. The “Pitaadji Center” officially received authorization to operate in Togo by the Ministerial Decree No. 0224 / MATDCL-CAB delivered by the Ministry of Territorial Administration, Decentralization, and Local Communities. To give an international dimension, and for a global and united mobilization, following a series of consultations, I decided to change the name “Pitaadji Center” to “Ensemble pour le Développement” (or ED in acronym) which corresponds a lot more to the spirit of the organization vision, and is better aligned to its objectives and actions on the ground. This proposal was officially validated by the Foundation’s Board of Directors and then communicated to the line Ministry.
The ED Foundation Story! It is also all about the people, institutions and solidarity organizations who work with us, and or support our actions by giving a little of themselves to positively impact the lives of thousands of people.
Let’s move forward together. Let’s leave no one behind.
More than a culture, it is a life philosophy
The ED Foundation is all that… and so much more …
Dr. Fatoumata Sira DIALLO,
Founder and Executive Chair of ED
[1] The prefecture of Pita is our hometown, it is located in the administrative region of Mamou in Guinea.
[2] From the name of my father’s village. The Pitaadji village was created by my great grandfather Al Hamdou Diallo. Pitaadji is a locality of the district of Kahel in the sub-prefecture of Kébaly in the prefecture of Dalaba in the natural region of Middle Guinea in the Fouta Djallon, in the Republic of Guinea.