As part of an initiative intended to strengthen training and awareness on part of our projects, Antonin Hélias, project manager, visited Benin from September 18 to 29.
A look back at a busy mission, punctuated by thematic visits and meetings in the various regions of the country.
Cotonou: Focus on the environment and citizen engagement
The program began in Cotonou, the largest city in Benin, with a meeting with a Civic Service volunteer, Mona RENE, on a mission for Afrique Pleine d'Avenir; a good introduction to understanding the challenges of local citizen engagement in the area.
Then, Antonin continued his visit to the École Supérieure du Faucon, located in Abomey-Calavi, on the outskirts of Cotonou with a current project aiming to create a degree in environmental engineering, focused on waste management. and waters. This initiative aims to contribute to the search for environmental solutions in the region.
This first stage ended with a visit to two key institutions: The Maison de la Société Civile, which plays an essential role in supporting, training, and financing Beninese associations, as well as the French Development Agency (AFD), our main partner in supporting development projects.
Kpomassé: Eco-responsibility at the heart of the mission
The rest took place in Kpomassé, north of Ouidah, where our project manager had the opportunity to visit a CRIPADD (Research Circle for the Identification and Promotion of Sustainable Development Alternatives) project, aimed at create a tomato canning workshop run by a group of women. This initiative promotes the financial autonomy of women while reducing food waste. CRIPADD has also developed various projects outside of Guild funding, such as the creation of natural corridors for monkeys, the creation of vegetable gardens and mushroom farms in schools, the construction of enclosures for goats, the implementation installation of hanging vegetable gardens for the elderly, the construction of schools, boreholes, and the restoration of the mangrove and cliffs, all initiatives which promote the sustainable development of the municipality.
Abomey and Bohicon: Supporting education and health through awareness raising
The stay continued in Abomey and Bohicon, with the meeting of two volunteers from International Solidarity (VSI) Camille JUBEL and Anaïs COCHEREAU, by video conference.
Subsequently, Antonin went to the MIMA center, within which the consortium of local associations – Gazelle Harambe and Sages-Femmes sans Frontières – implement various initiatives, such as agricultural training for young people, so that they can finance the end of their professional apprenticeship, while contributing to food security in the region. Others focus on awareness-raising: the Pass'Sport sports project interests children in essential themes such as water, sexual health and hygiene through sports practice after school; the Awhanou 3.0 initiative promotes sewing with sexual health awareness sessions. Similarly, a workshop on sexual health was organized at the Abomey training center and the Abomey pharmacy school. The mission also included visiting two maternity hospitals in the rural areas of Abomey and Bohicon.
Cotonou: The closing at the Embassy
The mission concluded with a visit to the French Embassy in Cotonou, where the embassy's actions in favor of development and solidarity were presented in detail. Different financing schemes, including PISCCA and FSPI, were presented, paving the way for future collaborations and a more sustainable future for Benin.
In total, five Guild microprojects were visited during this expedition. It was also an opportunity to meet our volunteers in the field and establish relationships with various institutional actors. A visit which is part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen support and partnerships between French and Beninese associations. This mission marked another step towards a more united and sustainable Benin.
