71% of those affected have grown up in a French-speaking home, over half are employed and only 10% live in what the government describes as ‘sensitive urban zones’.
To promote literacy and strengthen language skills, the Soroptimist Union of France has developed ‘ABC…123…j’apprends’, an educational game designed to encourage creativity and stimulate the imagination. Players soon find themselves expressing ideas, conversing and writing… and having fun in the process.
In addition to helping children it can also give parents with literacy problems the confidence to restart their studies or learn new skills.
Since 2014, the game has been distributed through schools, hospitals and literacy workshops in France, and further afield to classrooms in Mali, Senegal Madagascar and Cambodia.
A partnership agreement has now been signed between SI France and the General Directorate of the national Gendarmerie for ‘ABC…123’ to be supplied to police stations throughout the country. The games will go into their 250 victim-friendly ‘Mélanie’ rooms, where children’s depositions are taken.
The ANCLI, France’s National Agency for Fighting Illiteracy has recognised ‘ABC…123’s usefulness and given the game its stamp of approval.