Rêves de Gosse lands in Nouméa

Rotary’s flagship inclusion project in New Caledonia is taking flight – literally and figuratively – through Rêves de Gosse (Childhood Dreams), an initiative that brings children of all abilities together for shared learning, friendship and an unforgettable first experience in the air.

WORDS Jean-Michel Blaise
Rotary Club Nouméa Ouen Toro

As part of Rotary’s Growth Plan for the French Pacific, the Rêves de Gosse project is strengthening collaboration between clubs while building Rotary’s reputation as a trusted partner in education, inclusion, environmental responsibility and community service.

The Growth Plan encourages inter-club committees to work across traditional boundaries. Rêves de Gosse is the leading example of this approach in New Caledonia, delivering benefits for children, the community and Rotary itself. For children, the project builds joy, confidence and a sense that differences are a source of richness. For the wider community, it promotes acceptance of disability and diversity. For Rotary, it deepens partnerships, expands public visibility and creates opportunities for membership growth.

From a cancelled tour to a local pilot day

In 2024, the national association Rêves de Gosse/Les Chevaliers du Ciel selected Nouméa as a stop on its annual aerial tour. Civil unrest forced the cancellation of the official ‘magical day’, but the setback became a catalyst. The Rotary Club Nouméa Ouen Toro, with Air Base 186 ‘Nouméa–Tontouta’ of the French Air and Space Force, organised a local inclusion-focused aviation day inspired by the project’s spirit.

Students from Jacques-Trouillot School in Rivière-Salée, including children with disabilities, visited the air base, met service personnel and firefighters, and enjoyed their first flight aboard a CASA military aircraft. Though not part of the national tour, the day revealed the transformative power of the experience and strengthened the determination of Rotary, schools and partners to secure an official tour stop in 2025.

Remarkable Days in greater Nouméa

The project officially launched in March 2025, supported by Air Base 186 and a widening circle of community partners. Led by the Rotary Club Nouméa Ouen Toro, and financially backed by the Rotary Club de Nouméa, the program united children from both public and private primary schools with young people supported by specialised organisations, including:

• ACH – Association Calédonienne des Handicapés
• APEI – Association of Parents and Friends of People with Intellectual Disabilities
• APEH – Parents’ Association for Children with Disabilities
• ISA – Institut Spécialisé Autisme (Specialised Institute for Autism)

Two ‘Remarkable Days’ were held at ACH in Nouville on 24 June and 9 September. Each event brought together ‘ordinary and extraordinary’ children for repeated encounters that fostered recognition, empathy and friendship. Activities included creative arts, sensory experiences, sports and wheelchair races, music and planting workshops.

Student volunteers from the Interact club at James Cook International School played a vital role, assisting children with additional needs, coordinating games and ensuring no child felt left out. Their mentorship helped shift perceptions, showing participants that labels fade quickly when children share meaningful moments.

A Magical Day at Magenta

The first official Rêves de Gosse Magical Day in New Caledonia took place on 7 October 2025 at Magenta Airport. One hundred children, many flying for the first time, boarded small aircraft for a 20-minute flight over the UNESCO-listed lagoon, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The French Air and Space Force, private aeroclubs and civil aviation authorities collaborated to provide aircraft and ensure safe operations. A military CASA aircraft was among those taking part. On the ground, children enjoyed entertainment including clowns, balloon sculpting, face painting and interactive games designed to foster shared joy and connection.

The day was co-organised by Rêves de Gosse/Les Chevaliers du Ciel and the Rotary Club Nouméa Ouen Toro, with major financial support from the Rotary Club de Nouméa. Airport operations teams ensured smooth, safe coordination throughout the event.

Planting the seeds of inclusion – and trees

Environmental education is an integral part of Rêves de Gosse in New Caledonia. As part of the project, children and teachers planted shrubs and small trees in the sensory garden at the Institut Spécialisé Autisme. This served three purposes: offering a symbolic gesture to offset the carbon footprint of flights, teaching children hands-on environmental care, and leaving a lasting, positive trace of the project in their community.

Building Rotary collaboration across the territory

A key achievement of the project has been the strengthened collaboration between Rotary clubs and public institutions.

The Rotary Club Nouméa Ouen Toro served as lead organiser, managing coordination with Rêves de Gosse, schools, specialised institutes and the Armed Forces.

The Rotary Club de Nouméa provided significant financial support, reinforcing Rotary’s reputation as a reliable partner.

Public partners included the New Caledonia Education Department (DENC), government departments for health and disability services, the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia (FANC), Air Base 186, and civil aviation authorities at Magenta Airport.

Collectively, partners demonstrated how a visible, high-impact, multi-club initiative can advance the Rotary Growth Plan by attracting new members, strengthening motivation among existing members and reinforcing Rotary’s role in community inclusion.

Looking ahead

For the children, Rêves de Gosse has already delivered its promise: the dream of flight and, more importantly, the dream of belonging. For Rotary in New Caledonia, this is only the beginning. As the flagship inclusion project of the French Pacific Growth Plan, Rêves de Gosse will continue to expand, deepen partnerships and demonstrate Rotary’s long-term commitment to building a more inclusive and environmentally responsible society.

As one project leader expressed, the goal is simple: “Help children remember their first flight – and above all, remember the joy of sharing it with someone different from themselves.”