From its first mission, the association was supported by Princess Grace. Prince Albert II quickly took over by participating in several humanitarian missions.
Since its beginnings, the Monaco Aide et Présence (MAP) association has built a global network of support and assistance across continents. With projects in Asia, Africa, America, and Europe, MAP embodies Monegasque humanitarian commitment on a global scale. In 45 years of existence, the association has deployed 1,103 projects in 28 countries, mobilizing a budget of 27 million euros to help populations in distress.
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In the beginning: a small group of determined volunteers
MAP was born 45 years ago from the will of a group of volunteers led by Anna-Marie Ledu and her husband, former director of the Saint-Maur school, today Saint-François d’Assises – Nicolas Rod. With Doctor Richard and mothers of students, this group undertook a mission in Cambodia during Pol Pot’s bloody civil war which left between 1 and 1.5 million victims. A significant experience which pushed them to continue their commitment.
On their return, welcomed and supported by Princess Grace, they founded Monaco Aide et Présence. The association then benefited, from the following year, from the high patronage of Prince Albert II, who himself participated in several missions, notably that to Madagascar in 2017 to inaugurate the raising of the Albert II college which today includes 19,000 students.
The association is aimed at everyone without any distinction: “ MAP has in its statutes aid to populations in distress. It’s not specifically for children or any particular group », says Donatella Campioni, current president of MAP. Joining the association as a volunteer 17 years ago, she first became godmother of children from orphanages in Sri Lanka and India before fully integrating the association under the encouragement of the president of then: Josiane Lahore. This is how she got involved in a few actions, notably in Madagascar, before taking over as president of the association.
An association supporting local actors
Since its creation, MAP has provided assistance to 28 countries around the world. The association’s missions are diverse, but two fundamental principles guide each intervention: let local populations act and let them take over.
« You have to know how to pass the torch, you can’t be everywhere » underlines Donatella Campioni. A prominent example of this philosophy is the project in Sri Lanka, where MAP entrusted the management of an entire complex to the local diocese. Dioceses or congregations, it is rarely governments that take over projects at the end, with the exception of Benin.
Westerners, despite their good will to help, can make mistakes by imposing their schemes. This is why collaboration with local partners, anchored in the reality on the ground, is essential for MAP.
« We are part of another reality and we have no idea of their reality » explica Donatella Campioni. « The secret is to have reliable people on the ground. If you don’t have that, it’s impossible to do a good job. » To guarantee the effectiveness of its interventions, MAP signs agreements with local NGOs, allowing action adapted and respectful of specific contexts.
Women and children: a major issue
One of the drivers of MAP is about “ the condition of women which is really very difficult in Africa and even in India » as Donatella Campioni explains. For ten years, the association has supported 140 young girls in Ethiopia, offering them housing, food and access to education to protect them from forced marriages with elderly men and early pregnancies dangerous to their health. Thanks to this initiative, several beneficiaries continued their studies until university, some becoming doctors.
« People would rather die than heal themselves »
Donatella Campioni, president of MAP
In India, MAP works in 96 different villages with 150 families affected by HIV in the Dindigul district, in the south of India. Although AIDS is not as widespread as in Africa, those affected experience strong social stigma. For fear of rejection, people would rather die than get treatment » says the president of the association. MAP is responsible for providing quality food to people infected by the virus but above all, it raises awareness among local communities to improve the perception and treatment of people.
International but also local aid
MAP is not limited to remote interventions. In France, the association supports associations helping disadvantaged families in Nice, develops social grocery stores and intervenes following natural disasters such as storm Alex in Breil-sur-Roya.
The Archet and Lenval hospitals also benefit from its support. A new project should soon be launched with the Lenval children’s hospital and the CHPG following the increase in suicide attempts among adolescents.
A small, efficient team
Monaco Aide et Présence is managed by a structure made up of nine administrators, around fifty members and around thirty volunteers. Their mission is clear: respond quickly and efficiently to requests for help. To do this, administrators meet monthly to analyze requests, evaluate emergency situations and allocate the necessary resources.
To cover the association’s administrative expenses, the Prince allocates a sovereign subsidy each year, which makes it possible to cover the costs linked to the association’s premises and the salary of its sole employee responsible for coordinating the numerous projects.
This financial model ensures that all donations are used precisely to help populations in need, without any deduction for operating costs. In addition, administrators cover their own travel and accommodation costs, thus guaranteeing optimal allocation of funds.
A future to consolidate
Despite its successes, Monaco Aide et Présence must think about the future. Today, although the current team is very active, they would like to find their successor. New administrators are needed to bring new ideas and develop new projects to ensure the sustainability of the association which helps thousands of people each year.
