Belgian visitors impressed by our projects in Benin
At the end of October, a group of about twenty Belgian supporters travelled to Benin, where our local team warmly welcomed them. During four intensive days, our team introduced them to several projects of our Foundation.
The trip began with a visit to the new school garden of the Papané Hôpital primary school. The next step was a tour of the Saint Martin de Papané Hospital, where various buildings and departments have been established thanks to the Foundation. Hubi worked in this hospital until his accident; a memorial on the site commemorates Hubi & Vinciane. The day concluded with a visit to the Sokounon training farm in Parakou, an essential partner of the Foundation.
On the second day, the group visited the village of Gbetebou, where the Foundation is investing in a community vegetable garden and a cassava-processing cooperative. After a short stop at the headquarters in Parakou, they continued with visits to the primary schools of Komiguéa, Bonsi and Kakara.
Teachers, school leaders and pupils welcomed the visitors with open arms and expressed their appreciation for the investments made in drinking-water wells, sanitation, hygiene and teaching materials. The children of Kakara had even prepared a short play. In the evening, the group attended a horse-dance demonstration by the Batonu riders.
The third day began with a visit to the new maternity ward at Saint Jean de Dieu Hospital in Boko, where the construction progress was clearly visible. The group then visited a rice-processing cooperative and attended a cooking demonstration as part of our efforts to combat malnutrition. The Ariziki Incubator Centre was also on the programme, as well as an audience with the king of Ganou.
On the final day, the group took part in the third edition of the health walk in Parakou, early in the morning, together with hundreds of other participants.
For the Belgian visitors, it was a valuable experience. They were able to see with their own eyes the impact of the Foundation’s projects and how a relatively small organisation, thanks to a strong local team and dedicated volunteers, brings about sustainable change.
