After several years of hiatus due in particular to the health crisis, the humanitarian association of Arts et Métiers students Arts et Métiers Lille is back in action. Driven by the energy of the solidarity officers of the Association des Elèves Gadz'Arts de Lille (AEG), it is relaunching with a unique project in Togo: improving access to healthcare in rural areas.
Gadz'humanitaire: Objective Togo 2026
A historic campus association is reborn
Formerly known as "GaSole," the association, which was present on several Arts et Métiers campuses, Arts et Métiers dedicated to carrying out humanitarian work in Morocco.
In 2016, "GaSole," which became "Gadz'Humanitaire" on the Lille campus, changed its focus to carry out projects in Nepal. Since 2020, the health crisis had unfortunately slowed down the association's activities, but thanks to the initiative of Kilian Bodzioch-Remy and Quentin Royer De La Bastie, in charge of solidarity actions for the AEG, Gadz'Humanitaire is back in action in 2025!
Kilian recounts: "I discovered Gadz'Humanitaire during an open house a few years ago, and the association's solidarity project influenced my choice of school. When I arrived at Arts et Métiers, I was disappointed to find that it no longer existed. When the president at the time suggested we relaunch the association, I jumped at the chance!"
Today, around twenty students have come together to breathe new life into this meaningful initiative.
A new challenge: health at the heart of the project
After contributing for several years to projects providing access to water and education, the association now wants to address an essential need: the creation of health centers in remote areas.
"The first project will focus on the Blitta region, located about three hours from the Togolese capital," Kilian continues. The goal is clear: to build a functional and sustainable health center in partnership with local stakeholders.
A practical and supportive approach
To ensure the project's effectiveness, several actions are planned:
- A feasibility study for the project has been initiated on site and will be finalized in early January.
- At the same time, students have already approached the Picardie Clinic in Amiens to take advantage of the merger and restructuring of the Amiens hospital and the Picardie hospital group to recover unused medical equipment.
- An appeal to pharmacies in the Lille metropolitan area is being considered.
- The mobilization of a designated nurse on site to ensure continuity of care will also be planned.
Depending on the funds raised, the center could be equipped with solar panels for energy independence. The association's members also aim to use their engineering skills to convert the existing mechanical borehole into a solar borehole.
A collective project supported by the campus
The project is supervised and supported by two faculty members from the campus, Sophie Simonet and Stéphane Clenet, who, recognizing the seriousness of this undertaking, have agreed to provide guidance through the tutoring of two second-year PJT students. This collaboration reinforces the educational and solidarity aspects of the initiative.
How can you support the project?
"Companies, partners, and individuals can participate by contributing equipment, funding, or expertise. Every gesture counts when it comes to providing access to healthcare for isolated populations," concludes Kilian. A collection of medicines and medical supplies could also be organized and offered on campus in the coming months.
For more information, the association's historical Facebook and Instagram accounts are new assets.
Well done to everyone for this commitment!
