BBC Africa gives two examples of what middle class life is like in the Cote d'Ivoire. On the good side, the economy sounds much stronger than it did a few years ago:
During the crisis I had to stop working; I lost everything; I had to spend all my savings just to live, to eat.
Now I put money aside every day. I started my savings again just five months ago because I want to buy a computer. Maybe in three months I will have enough money to buy one.
Right now I don't find I have enough money to do what I want to do because I need to pay for so many things so it's not easy to start a good business.
If one of my brothers calls me and says he needs money, I give him some money. I have two younger brothers and three sisters; I'm the eldest.
I cannot say I'm wealthy but I cannot say I'm poor because if I'm living it means I can sustain my life.
Unfortunately, there are still serious repercussions from the crisis:
My father died in 2004 and that's when I stopped going to school because I had to work to find money.
It was hard to find work then because it was just after the first crisis. Everyone fled to Abidjan and everybody needed jobs.
I don't have any savings or any emergency fund. There is nothing in my bank account.
Everything I earn goes on rent, bills and food. There's nothing left for savings.
When there's a death in my family I go to my friends for help, to give me a little something. It's like that.
Yes I am scared if I lose my job because there will be nothing to pay for my rent.
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