Twelve teens from Mayotte are in Romania for an Erasmus+ exchange, learning about each other's cultures and tackling issues like education and inclusion.
Youth from Mayotte in Romania for cultural exchange
Twelve young people from Mayotte, aged 14 to 16, are taking part in a cultural exchange program in Craiova, Romania, from October 9 to 24. The initiative, part of the European Erasmus+ program, is organized by the Association sportive de Papillon d'Honneur de Mangajou and focuses on international openness, inclusion, and skill development for young people with limited access to such opportunities.Exchange hosted by Romanian group
The participants are accompanied by their supervisors from the Association sportive de Papillon d'Honneur de Mangajou and are hosted by their Romanian counterparts and the Tinerii 3D association. Craiova, a city in southern Romania with over 230,000 inhabitants, serves as the location for this intercultural experience.First weekend focused on group bonding
The first weekend of the exchange was dedicated to building relationships and group cohesion. The young people from Mayotte and Romania learned about each other, shared their expectations, and established rules for communal living. They also participated in a City Game in Craiova, which combined sports, cultural, and civic challenges.Language learning and cultural sharing
The participants have been learning each other’s languages, though English is the primary language used for daily communication. The Mayotte youth are learning Romanian, while the Romanian participants are trying to learn some words of shimaoré and French. Cultural exchanges have also included presentations and traditional dances from Mayotte, such as the chigoma.Workshops on social issues
Beyond cultural activities, the exchange includes discussions on education, employment, inequalities, and access to opportunities. Theatre workshops focused on discrimination allow the young people to reflect on the challenges they face in their respective countries and share their experiences.Plans to share the experience back home
Supervisors aim to ensure the benefits of the exchange continue after the participants return to Mayotte. They plan to present the trip in schools, in collaboration with English teachers, to encourage classmates to engage in international exchanges. A feedback session with families will also be held to discuss the experiences and challenges faced during the trip.Second Erasmus+ project by the association
The "Buts d'Horizon" exchange is the second mobility project conducted by the Association sportive de Papillon d'Honneur de Mangajou through the Erasmus+ program. The first had taken club leaders to Poland to study professional and semi-professional football clubs.Encouragement to apply for Erasmus+
Fayize-Dine Madi, general secretary of the association, encourages other organizations to apply for Erasmus+ exchanges. She notes that the program is underutilized in the region, where many associations prefer to act locally. For the young participants, the experience has been unforgettable.
