Supporting village children into school in Benin

An enduring feature of our projects in Benin since 2001 - without a break - has been our determination to give volunteer support to the African teams of volunteers in the remote rural region of Affame, Benin. Our African hosts have carefully identified the most pressing needs within their community following consultation with local chiefs and representatives of elected groups.

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We started by helping them to restore the residence for nurses of the Health Centre (which had been virtually destroyed by fire) necessitating their use of beds in the Centre, taking up much needed space there. We moved on to the installation of water and electricity in the Health Centre. This facility was sustained for another eight years until, unfortunately, the flat roof yielded to the tropical rainstorms. But good news!  The Health Authority, subsequently built a new Health Centre acknowledging the joint efforts of both volunteer groups. 

 

Next we were approached by the Head Teacher of the Dogba school, situated across the river Oueme from Affame. Three traditionally built classrooms had been washed away during the rainy months and help was needed to support the building of replacements which might endure the annual flooding. These buildings on stilts are now fully operational. 

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It was during this time that we came to understand the plight of orphaned youngsters in relation to school attendance. School fees had to be paid, uniforms were required at secondary level and difficult daily journeys of up to 15km had to be made by many.  A UK Charity - Inside Out Trust - a 'prison-based' organisation donated ninety cycles one year to help with these journeys. Understandably with such physical exertions it was decided that a daily lunch would also be needed if the young people were to get the maximum benefit from their efforts.

   

Currently there are more than one hundred orphans in the programme, with ten now at University, sixteen have completed or are pursuing apprenticeships and the great majority are attending schools or colleges. 

 

MANY THANKS INDEED TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE MADE THIS POSSIBLE WITH YOUR MOST GENEROUS SUPPORT.

 

Earlier this year five HATW volunteers  - Dick, David, Mary, Guillaume and Adeline - were in Affame assisting with the construction of the orphan rescue and training centre Adjidole which is now nearing completion. The last full Global Giving report  was submitted by them in July and included the additional element of the work done by Mary - a recently retired Ophthalmologist. The African team have subsequently taken twenty-seven persons to the specialist hospital in Paracou where a variety of conditions have been/are being successfully treated. Plastering, painting and the fitting of doors and windows remain to be achieved, and all financial assistance towards these goals will be most gratefully received. 

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Progress at Adjidole has been remarkable given the amazing weather extremes, the well-drilling to a depth in excess of thirty metres was successful and the training facilities for Carpentry, Red-Oil production, Motor-Vehicle Maintenance, Bread-making and Tailoring are due to follow-on when the Centre is ready to receive its' first residents. Soon our focus will be to furnish and equip the Centre. Dieudonne, Albert, Jean, Felicienne, Delphine and Blandine will be the initial staffing team and Shadrack, the local baker will be the first with a training responsibility. It is estimated that an annual sum of $15,000 would sustain this level of staffing.

 

Our volunteers Guillaume and Adeline, from France, are aiming to continue their association with the projects during 2015 and they recently revisited the Hands Around The World base in Monmouth and met up with me in Lancashire too. Their skills with computers in particular will be a great asset.

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We look forward to lots of exciting new developments in the coming years! Please continue your support, and watch this space!