Bibi&Bibo: a nursery for 50 children in Benin

Dear Friends,

we are pleased to share a new update on the “Bibi&Bibo” nursery school in Kpossegan (in the center of Benin) and on the next steps of our project.

In April, Aleimar will travel to Benin for a monitoring visit, together with a group of volunteers. During this mission, we will organize recreational and educational activities for the children attending the nursery school, creating meaningful moments of play, learning, and connection. These activities are an important opportunity to strengthen the relationship among the children and our bond with the local community, while also observing firsthand the progress of the project.

At the same time, we are happy to announce an important step forward in strengthening the quality of education offered at the nursery school. An Italian educator and pedagogist will stay in Kpossegan for several months to carry out a structured training program for the local teaching staff, in collaboration with local trainers. This initiative aims to enhance teachers’ skills, support them in their daily work, and promote child-centered educational practices tailored to the local context.

Through these combined efforts, we continue to invest not only in the well-being of the 50 children who attend the nursery school, but also in the long-term sustainability and quality of the educational service provided.

We invite you to continue following our updates: in the next report, we will be happy to share photos and further insights from the monitoring trip and the training activities on the ground.

Thank you for your continued support and for being part of this journey with us. Your contribution helps us create a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where children can grow, learn, and thrive.

With gratitude,
The Aleimar Team

Dear Donors,
with this report we would like to update you on the current situation and on the progress of our project in Kpossegan.

Regarding the context in Benin, we would like to share the testimony of our local representative, who described the challenging geopolitical situation the country is currently facing. These are his words:

“The insecurity in Benin, especially in the northern regions, is caused by the presence of jihadist groups. Fortunately, in our village and the surrounding areas no particularly serious incidents have occurred. Unfortunately, in other parts of the country many innocent people and soldiers have lost their lives, and many continue to flee the most dangerous zones. There have also been uprisings by the Peulh, a traditional pastoral community. In protest against the state, they have burned farmers' crops and seeds. This has worsened poverty and injustice among farming families, who receive no compensation. These actions have fueled deep tensions. Although the authorities are trying to intervene and regulate livestock farming and transhumance, the Peulh often prove to be among the most aggressive groups. We hope that the state will assume its responsibilities and fulfill its commitments to restore stability and peace throughout the country. With all our hearts, we hope that security will improve and that these social injustices will one day come to an end.”

Despite these challenges, our work in Kpossegan continues, and today more than ever we aim to offer a safe, educational and welcoming environment to the 50 children aged 3 to 5 who attend the Bibi&Bibo nursery school. Our goals remain to ensure access to high-quality early childhood education and to strengthen the food security of the children attending the school.

Aleimar is committed to continuously improving the services offered to the children, always listening attentively to their needs. Following several meetings with the school staff and the local community, the main priorities that emerged are:

• Enhancing the nutritional value of daily meals: portions will be increased and meat, fish, and plant-based proteins will be included more frequently in the weekly menu.
• Strengthening teachers’ skills through more targeted training: Aleimar has identified an Italian pedagogist and educator who, together with local trainers, will develop a training program for the nursery local staff.

Thanks to your continued attention and sensitivity toward such essential causes, together we can make a real and lasting difference in one of the world’s most vulnerable regions. But we cannot do it alone.
To guarantee better meals, stronger educational programs, and a safer daily environment for these children, we truly need your support. Every contribution helps us ensure that the Bibi&Bibo nursery school remains a place where children can grow happy, play freely, and live safely.

From all of us and from the children of Kpossegan: thank you so much for your support!