Nurse me: let's defeat child malnutrition in Benin

Dear friends,
Benin, like the whole world, is suffering the consequences of this ugly pandemic. The Covid-19 cases registered to date are about 3304, with 44 total deaths. The institutions have closed the borders and imposed a mandatory buffer to enter and exit.
Travel was limited and many activities closed. The market, which was the only livelihood for many families, was also closed.

The school remained closed until September when the students returned to class to end the school year and to take the exams. For many children, going to school or kindergarten means receiving a safe meal a day thanks to the guaranteed canteen service. The blocking of lessons has therefore influenced the school performance and health conditions of many children. Our local representatives have managed to continue the care and support activities for the babies and children welcomed in the various reception centers, but the increase in the prices of basic necessities continues to make it difficult to distribute powdered milk to young guests. and families in difficulty.

Our support therefore becomes even more important to ensure a healthy and balanced growth for these children.
A special thanks therefore goes to all those who support us and who will continue to do so, with the hope that this new year will bring serenity and peace to everyone!

Dear friends,

Fortunately, the situation in Benin is not comparable to that of other countries during the Covid-19 outbreak. Presently in Benin, there are several thousand deaths and several dozen deaths.

However, the situation is not the best. The government has not provided any help, but fortunately, some European associations operating in the country have intervened thanks to many benefactors' contributions.

Furthermore, in the public aqueduct (there are few subscribers due to the cost of the service), the water supply is limited to a few hours during the night. So the whole population uses private (few) and public (most) wells, around which there is always an essential crowding of people. The markets are open and it is impossible to respect distances.

Despite the limitations in place, our local contacts keep us informed of our children daily, especially concerning health, school, family relationships and any other news as in the past. 

School classes started again on August 10, in the middle of the rainy season, with the problem of flooding so that many children will not reach school; there is a lack of desks for the pupils as money to buy new ones. All children must wear a mask in class, yet it is difficult to make rural families understand the importance of all these precautionary measures. This is why we are trying to raise people's awareness with the help fo social workers, village leaders and teachers of the schools.

Milk powder is always a primary need for newborn orphans, as well as having access to drinking water. Thanks to your help we can provide it to our main shelters for orphaned children.

There is still much to do, but together we can!