Supporting village children into school in Benin

It has been a difficult few months for the manager and staff at the orphanage (Chez Papa Geoff). Due to complicated legal rights to property, the local manager of the projects has had to move his extended family, who are also part of the support system for the orphanage to a new home. This plus the collapse of the water well (donated by the local Mosque), which had broken down due to a build up of fine silt in the pump. However, by the time we arrived in March the move had been completed and we were able to remove and replace the hand pump well with a solar powered electric pump. Local people and an expert helped complete the work in a few days. We were also able to sort out an issue with the batteries for the solar panels.

The agricultural programme is progressing well. They are currently planting more palm trees and they have a water bowser ready in case of drought. This is all being done on exisiting farm land, not on cleared forest. Thankfully, Benin protects it's forests well. 

Since the last visit, 2 young people have taken up apprenticeships, one in tailoring and one in engineering and are both happy and doing well. 2 children who had been identified recently as needing a placement have now moved to CPG and are doing well and have settled. The girl is only 6 and is the youngest on site, and the rest of the young people have quickly become carers and big brothers and sisters. The team have also built an office/ storeroom for visitors and administration. There are plans in place to extend the kitchen to accommodate the next intake of 12 children over the summer and early autumn. 

While we were there, we meet the mum of Ramon. She has been able to look after Ramon, a disabled young man, all through his school life on her own. His father is no longer around. Ramon is bright and hard working and although his legs are very weak and he has problems walking, he walks the 2 miles to school every day. Ramon needed some financial support to complete his Baccalaureate as he wanted to go on to university to take a degree in journalism. We have just heard that he has passed. His mother can not afford his university fees, but thanks to a generous supporter, HATW has found a way to support him. We are also looking to finance a part time French teacher to give lessons to 3 of the children who are very behind due to their background prior to joining the orphanage.

The children and young people continue to thrive at CPG and make lifelong bonds with their peers that we hope will carry them through life.