Supporting village children into school in Benin

Much progress has been made at the farm attached to Chez Papa Geoff in Benin:

The storm damage to the tractor shed has been repaired. HATW has also provided funds for a well at the farm which has encouraged the establishment of a vegetable garden. With adequate water (and the aquifer here yields abundantly) there is immense scope for vegetable production. This will improve the children's diet and provide surplus for sale. 

Field scale crops of maize and haricot beans have yielded well this year. Second plantings for the year have just been started. The first palm oil trees have just started to yield. This is a much prized cash crop in Benin and should gain further rewards as it can certainly be categorised as sustainably grown.

As part of HATW's 25 year celebrations, we have planted 25 trees in Wales and Jersey and our partners have planted 25 trees at each of their projects. In Benin, they decided to plant a few extra - they've planted 30 coconut palms, 20 avocados, 6 guavas 20 papayas / pawpaws!

There are currently 22 children living at Chez Papa Geoff and enjoying the fruits of the farm as well as learning about farming and gardening. 

Many more children and young people in the community are supported through the project with sponsorship through secondary school, apprenticeships and university education. This year 6 new pupils will join the sponsorship programme at the start of secondary school and will be supported right through to completing either an apprenticeship or university degree. 

Now is the season for planting maize, which is a local staple and very much used at Chez Papa Geoff. The children all love trips out to the fields, entailing a 5 mile journey in the back of a truck. They enthusiastically help with any tasks needed, from collecting firewood to applying fertiliser to the plants. Throughout the year they also routinely thrash and winnow all the maize and then deliver it to the miller for grinding.

The hydraulic pump on the tractor failed, but I was able to source one quickly and, thanks to efficient couriers, it was delivered to Benin in 3 days. When I phoned two days after the pump's arrival, our local representatives Dieu Donne and Albert had already fitted it and the tractor was going again. Thank goodness that Dieu Donne is a trained mechanic!

Covid-19 lockdown in Benin has been lifted but masks etc. are still being used. The infection rate locally is still mercifully low, but the Beninoise are all anxious about possible problems from Nigeria as the border is both close and porous. 

The WIFI in Affame is rumoured to be much improved. Dieu Donne is going to try again to see if a usable signal is available. This would make communication with HATW both easier and cheaper while providing much useful material for the older children who are preparing for their exams. 

Work is about to start digging a well in the fields. This will open up the possibility of vegetable production and make the establishment of trees much easier.

Thank you for your support.