Djougou - Benin

Abéni - Aid for Benin

Better educational opportunities for children and young people are the aim of the HelpAlliance initiative in Djougou in northern Benin. Children are looked after at the existing day centre, and the infrastructure is being further improved.

Since 1999 the Abéni project in Djougou has been supporting children and young people aged between nine and 16. Most of them are girls, who come here to receive an education. In underprivileged Northern Benin they are the ones who suffer most.

Some of the children, all of whom attend school, are orphans or have lost one parent. Others were simply abandoned by their parents who left for the economically more prosperous coastal regions around Cotonou and Porto Novo.

In the centre, which was built by Abéni with the aid of HelpAlliance, the children receive all they need in terms of education and medical care. HelpAlliance finances everything - from the school fees and teaching materials through to after-school coaches and IT trainers. Meals and personal hygiene items are also provided. HelpAlliance provides funds for vaccinations and inoculations, and in the event of illness, also pays for doctors' visits.

Benin is one of the poorest countries in the world. Not everyone has access to an education, although that is so important for the children's future. Unlike in Germany, apprentices usually have to pay fees. In such instances, projects that aim to help people to help themselves play an important role.

More pictures to be found here