Delivering First Scale to Depa

Evariste delivered the first scale to Depa, which is a couple of km outside of Issia. The village celebrated, and the chief put on his royal garb. People were so excited to receive this gift. They took pictures of themselves with the scale.


Mr. Dede Seri Justin gets on the scale to take his weight, amid much hilarity. He is wearing the royal clothing, called the kita.

The committee of apprenticeship put a cocoa bag weighing 100 Kg on the scale, and two cocoa pods across from Jules Dalo, who has the red scarf around his neck. He’s one of the most important farmers in the village. The scale will hold only 200 Kg of cocoa, which means only two bags weighing 100 Kg each.



Presentation of the scale to the president of the women farmers. Her name is Manzo Helene Lago.



Interviews in the Village of Depa. Evariste interviewed the chief, the head of the women farmers, and the

• Question for the chief of the village of Depa: What do you think of this gift?

I think that this gift is very welcome. Right now, our village does not own a scale. You know that in our region the village of Depa is known for its high production of cocoa and the scale is really very important for us; it represents a big jewel. As chef of the village, I am really happy and I and my people pray that this foundation will excel. One more time, thanks for this marvelous gift which comes straight from the heart. And thanks to you, Evariste, for being the messenger of the scale. May God keep and protect you.

• Question for the President of the Women Farmers: As President of the Women Farmers, how would you say this scale can help you?

First, in the name of all the women in this village and women farmers, we thank you for this important gift for the village because now we can weigh our products without going elsewhere and also we won’t fall victim to the thefts of the pisteurs.

Also, we grow manioc (cassava), yam (Diocorea batatas), and corn. We need to use the scale to weigh these products at the village before delivering to the buyers coming from Abidjan.

Before finishing, we thank you and the members of this foundation, particularly the President Tom, whom we want to see again here in Depa so we can clothe him as the second chef of the village.

• Question for the President of the Youth of Depa: As President of the Youth, what do you think of the arrival of this scale?

First, we are very happy, as we don’t have to borrow scales from agents of cooperatives or from pisteurs. Next, thanks to this scale, a Committee for the Manipulation of the Scale has formed in the village, and now all the young farmers know how to use the scale.

We will no longer be victim of the machinations of the cooperative agents or the pisteurs.

And then when we were without scale, we were obligated to negotiate the price of the Kg with the pisteurs and the cooperatives, which caused a lot of conflict. Tom, you are the savior of the Ivorian youth!

One thing only we would like it if you were to consider the political situation with the surrounding villages who don’t have scales. We don’t want hatred to be created among the youth. We ask that you remember that.