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Events

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‘Dreaming, daring, doing’ charity evening a great success

The organizers of the ‘Dreaming, daring, doing’ charity evening had counted on around 100 participants and were hoping for some 200, but didn’t dare imagine that more than 250 people would turn up in the end.

It was a fine program, with testimonials from chocolatier Dominique Persoone, VRT journalist Loubna Khalkhali and former President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, who is also Chairman of our Foundation’s Advisory Board. Cellist Emiel Vertongen added a musical touch.
As a long-standing ambassador of our Foundation, Katleen Cools, journalist and presenter of Terzake on VRT, was the perfect hostess.

Pascale Van Assche, deputy member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, who has just returned from a working visit to Benin, gave a brief history of the Foundation. Created in 1982 after the death of Hubert (Hubi) Adriaens and Vinciane Van Assche, the Foundation has become a renowned development partner in Benin over the past forty years. While its original focus was on healthcare, through the hospital where Hubi was active, it is now involved in nutrition, education and training, agriculture, agroecology and entrepreneurship.

This last area, particularly women’s entrepreneurship, was the theme and thread running through the charity evening.

“Should we keep up the momentum? What is the government doing?” asked Kathleen Cools.

The Beninese government is investing. The road network, for example, has improved in recent years. However, the support of organizations like ours remains essential to strengthen the local population. The Foundation finances all its activities through donations from supporters and the funding of specific projects. The annual amount involved is around 300,000 euros. Almost all of this (over 95%) is directly invested in projects in Benin.

How can we strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit in Benin and, by extension, Africa?

Renowned chocolatier Dominique Persoone has experienced this first-hand. A few years ago, he and Prince Emmanuel de Merode built a chocolate factory in Virunga Park. They aim to offer local cocoa producers a fair price – the price they receive has doubled in the last six months – and create jobs. Instead of buying expensive packaging machines, dozens of women work as packers. Only local ingredients are used in production. Nothing is imported. Moreover, 100% of the factory’s revenues are reinvested locally. The factory is now ten times larger than when it started, and export is gradually being considered.

Dominique’s main aim is to get people working. What’s more, chocolate is sold locally at a very low price. So people who have had cocoa beans in their gardens for years can taste chocolate, often for the first time.

For Herman Van Rompuy, infrastructure and the impact on logistics in Benin remain a point of pain and work. In recent years, the European Union and European countries have invested in infrastructure, agriculture, education, healthcare, etc. Strangely, the EU is Benin’s biggest trading partner, not neighboring African countries!

Enterprising women?

Loubna Khalkhali hopes, above all, to inspire other women. Patriarchal society is deeply entrenched in Africa. It was partly to find an answer to this problem that she studied Arabic and Islam. Young women need role models. Through her work as a journalist in a male-dominated sector, she hopes to contribute to this. When she reported on the earthquake in Morocco, she observed how women were the bastions holding local society together in the destroyed villages.

Dominique Persoone also notes the resilience of the women who work in the chocolate factory. Many of them are widows of injured or murdered forest rangers, with many children of their own. Yet they remain optimistic.

“If emancipation, women’s rights and equality are essential elements to be promoted, a certain humility is called for,” explains Herman Van Rompuy. In our country, the right to vote for women was only introduced in 1948. And until the early 1960s, women working in education were not allowed to marry.
He believes there can be no economic prosperity for Africa unless population growth is curbed. Today, 1.2 billion people live on the African continent. If demographic growth continues at the same pace, they will number 4 billion by the end of this century. What’s more, Africa suffers the most from global warming. Although it is already the poorest continent in terms of per capita income, it has a substantial resource base that makes Africa coveted. However, most African countries lack the necessary political stability. Fortunately, Benin is an exception, with a president genuinely caring about the country’s development.

Final thoughts

Dominique Persoone believes, above all, in the tangible. Concrete results are a source of motivation. He has also recently set up a school where men and women can learn a trade.

Herman Van Rompuy spent a year in the Belgian Congo as a child. Later, it was there that he met his wife on a plane over Lake Victoria. His bond with Africa is genuine, and he didn’t hesitate for a second when Pascale asked him to become Chairman of the Advisory Council. From his visits to Africa, he retains the enthusiasm and joie de vivre of the people above all. It’s for them that he wants to remain committed.

Loubna Khalkhali finds it heartening that initiatives such as the charity evening are taking place. There are so many terrible things happening today, but there are also a lot of people who want to do something good.

The icing on the cake was a sneak preview of the fascinating report by 28VISUALS director Andreas Jansen on Belgian singer Ian Thomas‘ visit to our Foundation’s projects.

In the evening, we raised 13,445 euros, which will be invested in our projects to promote female entrepreneurship.

Thanks to donations from all our supporters and to our many sponsors: Vandemoortele, Ritchie, Van der Poorten, UCLL Hogeschool, Elsen Kaasambacht, Portal Azenha, Dormaal Farm Brewery and 28VISUALS.

Thanks also to Bernadette Abts, Kathleen Cools, Peter Janssen and Neal Van Loock for organizing the evening.

Also view the images of this evening in the photo gallery.

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March 8: International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day, celebrated every year on March 8, this year’s theme was “For an inclusive digital world: innovation and technology for gender equality.” This an appropriate opportunity to reflect on the state of digitization in Benin and women’s access to digital technology in particular.

Take, for example, the situation in Kassouala, one of the Foundation’s intervention villages in Benin.

The survey we conducted in 2022 as part of the nutrition project showed that just over 70% of the women had not had any education. One in five women had attented elementary school, and one in 10 had received secondary education. Among men, just under 60 % had not had any form of education. Over 16 % had attended elementary school, and one in four men had received secondary education.
Since education is a prerequisite for being part of the digital world, we can only conclude that Benin still has a long way to go.

According to Estelle Idani, the Foundation’s coordinator in Kassouala, there is no computer centre worthy of the name in Kassouala. You must travel 25 km to Tchaourou to scan, type and print, . Moreover, of the 100 women she works with daily, only a dozen or so have Android smartphones.
And Kassouala is undoubtedly not an exception. The situation is entirely similar in most of the villages where we work. So women are deprived of several essential digital tools to develop their skills, access information and actively participate in the digital society. This situation is pernicious for community development and empowerment.

When will everyone have access to education and the digital world?

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Objectives and values of the Foundation – team building in Benin

Hubi & Vinciane Foundation organized a team building around its goals and values for the Benin team from March 11 to 15. Ingrid Hofkens, psychologist and member of the Foundation’s board of directors, led the event.Pascale Van Assche, managing director, and Gilles de Kerchove, chairman of the board of directors, joined regularly. They gave additional input on the operation in Belgium and the wide range of tasks taken on by volunteers. This was mainly to inform the Benin employees that they are not alone and that hard work is also being done in Belgium.

Ingrid focused her guidance on strengthening three aspects:
1) the cooperation between the team in Benin and the team in Belgium,
2) the teamwork in Benin and
3) the individual functioning of each team member.

Much attention and time went into assessing the impact of the various projects. How do they contribute to the values and goals of the Foundation, and what actions are needed each time?

In doing so, the team worked on formulating the objectives of the various projects in a more “SMART” way. What specific indicators allow for concrete measurement of results? Which goals are acceptable for/fit the local situation and align with the Foundation’s values? Are the intended objectives realistic? And finally, who is responsible for implementing the project within the predetermined timing?

During the five days of team building, the team regularly worked in two separate groups.

The first group worked on improving internal communication. This is essential for coordination and cooperation between the Benin and Belgian teams. Chamsou Dine, the Foundation’s communications manager in Benin, was already satisfied. “We have learned to communicate better with each other and work together more efficiently. We will also work on better reporting so everyone, including the management and the board, knows the different activities and projects “.

The second group worked on the community vegetable gardens project, an essential project for the Foundation. The team members defined the project’s objectives and their roles in its implementation. Rahmat, a nutritionist, found it a necessary and helpful exercise. She is motivated to work on the project together with her colleagues.

Marcienne Houenou, director of the Foundation in Benin, thanked Ingrid, Pascale and Gilles for organizing the team building. “All team members now realize they need to be even more committed to sharing information and prioritizing activities and tasks. Critical self-evaluation is also important. The team building was engaging and educational. Everyone is now extra motivated to go for it and achieve the Foundation’s goals.”

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Inauguration of incubation centre ‘Ariziki’

On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, the Hubi & Vinciane Foundation inaugurated its ‘Ariziki’ incubation centre in N’Dali. The new 234-square-meter centre on a 1.6-hectare site is an essential lever for developing entrepreneurship among Benin youth.

The centre was named “Ariziki” which means wealth and prosperity in Bariba, Dendi and Peul, three languages spoken in northern Benin. The Secrétaire Général de la Préfecture du Borgou, Sanni Bio Bayé, had the honour of officially opening the incubation centre. Martin Deroover, Head of Service for Development Cooperation at the Belgian Embassy in Benin, had travelled specially from Cotonou to attend the opening.

Adam Malla Issifou, head of the centre and director of the NGO Cooperation for Sustainable Impact, was also present at this solemn moment. The delegation of our Foundation in Belgium consisted of Gilles de Kerchove, Pascale Van Assche and Ingrid Hofkens, respectively, president of the board of directors, delegate director and member of the board of directors.

The incubation centre focuses mainly on strategic and high-growth sectors such as agriculture and, more specifically agroecology, information and communication technology, digitalization and tourism. Young entrepreneurs find a stimulating and inspiring working environment there. They can go there for one to three years of mentorship programs and various training programs that strengthen their entrepreneurial competencies.

In her speech, Pascale Van Assche underlined that the Foundation has been active for more than 40 years in the department of Borgou and, more specifically in the municipalities of Tchaourou, Parakou and N’Dali. The Foundation focuses on health, balanced nutrition, agriculture, agroecology, entrepreneurship and education. With the establishment of the Ariziki incubator, the Foundation wants to give young entrepreneurs additional backing. After all, entrepreneurship is an essential alternative to Benin’s lack of employment opportunities.

Gilles de Kerchove elaborated on the mission of the incubation centre. It will support young people in setting up their businesses, provide training on entrepreneurship and supervise innovative entrepreneurial projects.

Mr Martin Deroover emphasized the Belgian Embassy’s willingness to support the Foundation’s activities.

Mr Sanni Bio Bayé pointed out that establishing the incubation centre is entirely in line with the vision of the Benin government. He urged the young entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the centre’s offerings.

During the ceremony, the new Benin NGO CIPD was also officially announced – CIPD stands for Coopération Pour un Impact Durable.

Tèkê dancers and word artists provided the musical and festive framework.

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The anniversary of the Hubi & Vinciane Foundation was also celebrated in Belgium!

On Sunday, November 27, about fifty partners, administrators, donors, and supporters celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Foundation in the impressive Gothic hall of the City Hall of Leuven.

Kathleen Cools, Ambassador of the Hubi & Vinciane Foundation, once again led the celebration.

In his welcome speech, Dirk Vansina, alderman of the city of Leuven, expressed his admiration for the achievements of the Foundation and – surprise – extended an invitation for the Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2032.

Kathleen Cools visited Benin for the first time in November. She said she was extremely touched and even moved now that she had seen firsthand all the Foundation had accomplished over the past 40 years. “My meeting with Zouerath, the young girl who was saved from severe malnutrition thanks to the efforts of the Foundation’s nutritionist, will always be etched in my memory. I am convinced that the Foundation’s work is and remains very much needed.”

Pascale Van Assche, Managing Director of the Foundation, explained that the Foundation started 40 years ago by supporting the small bush hospital in Papané but has since become one of Benin’s most important regional development partners. “The role of the city of Leuven in this evolution should not be underestimated. Thanks to grants from the city, with the project “Every woman her banana tree”, the Foundation has been able to distribute no less than 20,000 banana cuttings to as many families as possible and has taught them how to care for a banana tree. This project, among others, has reduced severe malnutrition in children under five from 12% to 3%.”

The event’s special guest was Marcienne Houenou, Director of the Foundation in Benin, who had come to Belgium especially for the occasion. She has known the Foundation for almost 20 years: first as director of the hospital in Boko and for the last five years as director of the Foundation with a team of nine local employees. She emphasized that the hospital in Boko has become a reference hospital thanks to the support of the Foundation.

She lamented that people often wait too long to get to the hospital. It is then too late to help them. That is why, about five years ago, the Foundation decided to work also in a preventive way around a balanced diet and hygiene. “The detection and treatment of malnourished children, support for the creation of vegetable gardens in villages and schools, the banana project, the construction of wells with drinking water, the construction of sanitary blocks, etc. These projects are part of an integrated approach to fighting malnutrition.”

Marcienne also spoke about agriculture and entrepreneurship, another important sector in which the Foundation is active. Here, an important project is underway today in creating an incubation center where young entrepreneurs receive the necessary support.

Finally, she thanked everyone with a sincere Flemish “DANK U” for the many efforts made.

Then it was the turn of Benoît Akando, Honorary Consul of Benin in Belgium, anesthetist, and member of the Board of Directors for a year and a half. “I have known the Foundation for a long time. I wanted to join the board for two reasons. Concentrating work in a particular region and well-defined areas allows the Foundation to work much more efficiently than many other organizations. There is also a link between Belgium and Benin. I was born in Benin and went to high school there, but I came to Belgium on a scholarship for my university studies. Benin has made considerable progress in recent years, but “there is still a long way to go”. And Benin will not succeed without the necessary help. And it’s not just about money but also about knowledge, technology, development, and training. Especially in the country’s north, where poverty is terrible, and people are easy prey for extremism, the need for training and support is immense.”

Gilles de Kerchove, president of the Foundation, concluded the festive celebration. “I thank Piet Van Assche very explicitly, who unfortunately passed away in March but turned the personal tragedy of losing his daughter into such a wonderful and lasting project. I would also like to thank Pascale and Marcienne, two strong ladies at the head of the Foundation.”

Gilles then elaborated on the values of the Foundation: respect and trust, commitment, shared growth, and sustainability… “Today, relations between some African countries and Europe are a bit more complicated, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine. Trust and respect between Europe and Africa must be rebuilt. We must grow together so Benin can meet the many environmental, economic, demographic, and religious challenges.”

After these inspiring speeches and personal testimonies, it was time for drinks and snacks offered by the city of Leuven.

Thanks to Leuven, and thanks to all the supporters and volunteers.

Also view the photos of the celebration in the photo gallery.

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Big festivities in Parakou to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Foundation

The fortieth anniversary of the Foundation in Benin did not go unnoticed in Benin.The local team organized a whole series of festive activities. Many participants were visibly moved. They did not expect such enthusiasm and gratitude. Chamsou-Dine Baguiri, our communications officer in Benin, lists them:

The celebrations began on November 2 with a visit to the monument erected in honor of Hubi & Vinciane at the Papané hospital. Hubi was working as a doctor-surgeon in this hospital when the accident happened. The memorial incorporates all the letters that Hubi & Vinciane wrote to each other. Pascale Vanassche, Managing Director of our Foundation, and Emile Kouthon, Director of the Papané Hospital, laid a beautiful bouquet at the memorial.

The following day, November 3, the local team, along with a few members of the Board of Directors and several supporters and partners of the Foundation, walked through the city in a caravan. A trendy and tireless band provided the musical note. Eight traditionally dressed horsemen accompanied the procession, dancing with their horses and demonstrating their dressage skills.

Applauded by many interested inhabitants, the caravan reached the town hall of Parakou. Gilles de Kerchove, president of the Foundation, and the mayor’s representative, gave a short speech. Finally, the municipal administration of Parakou offered drinks and snacks to all present. The press was also invited and gave a detailed report, which you can view on Youtube.

In the afternoon, at the CIAP, the Foundation’s supporters enjoyed a delicious and healthy meal prepared by the Foundation’s nutritionist, Eric Dossou Gbété, and some nutrition assistants.

On Friday, November 04, 2022, a thanksgiving mass in memory of Hubi (Hubert) and Vinciane was held at the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Paul in Parakou. A choir provided a beautiful musical accompaniment.

And then in the evening, it was a big party. In the ballroom of the archdiocese, dignitaries, partners, supporters, friends, employees, and administrators gathered to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the Foundation. Hyacinthe Elégbédé, Executive Secretary of the Parakou City Council, Marcienne Houenou, Director of the Foundation, Pascale Van Assche, Managing Director, and Gilles de Kerchove, President, successively took the floor. Gilles emphasized the values of Foundation Hubi & Vinciane: respect and trust, commitment, equality, empowerment, joint development, and sustainability.

During and after dinner, guests were treated to a performance by Têkè dancers, a traditional guitarist, and, finally, a performance by Angelo Moustapha, a well-known percussionist and new ambassador of our Foundation.

And of course, the birthday cake with the necessary candles could not be missing!

Parakou : Célébration du 40è anniversaire d’existence de la Fondation Hubi & Vinciane

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The one and only end-of-year corrida is coming!

Leuven – Friday evening, December 30, 2022

For sports enthusiasts with their hearts in the right place!

Two years in a row, the DCLA athletic club had to cancel the year-end Corrida due to corona. But on Friday night, December 30, it will be right back.

Runners can choose from three distances:

4 km – with a start at 8:45 p.m.
8 km – with a start at 9:15 p.m.
12 km – with a start at 10 p.m.

Hubi & Vinciane Foundation is, as always, in attendance. At the entrance to Kinepolis on Bondgenotenlaan, we will be waiting for the runners who register through us with their chest numbers. After the athletic effort, there will be time for relaxation with a snack and a drink on the top floor of Kinepolis.

We hope you will participate en masse!

New maternity in Boko

All proceeds will go toward constructing the new maternity unit at Saint-Jean-de-Dieu Hospital in Boko.

The current maternity is bursting at the seams, making it harder and harder to provide necessary professional medical care to patients. On average, 35 women stay there, while there are only 22 beds. As a Foundation, we are happy to put our shoulders under this new project. If we can raise 120 000 euros, we can build a maternity with a capacity of at least 50 beds, a neonatology unit, and an operating room. For more info on the project.

Donation of 20 euros: suitable for three ultrasounds
Donation of 50 euros: suitable for one delivery
Donation of 100 euros: a contribution to the purchase of an incubator
Donation of 250 euros: a gift to the construction of the maternity building

Convinced to keep up for Benin during the Corrida, register here!
You will receive a tax certificate for every donation of 40 euros or more.
Please note: for everything to be in order administratively on time, you must register with us before November 30, so do it right now!

If you can’t join us this year but would still like to support our project financially, you can do so here.

Practical info on the evening’s proceedings will follow later.

Thanks to Kinepolis Leuven for logistical support and for providing a reception space

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In the spotlight – 2022

Many sympathizers and volunteers take the initiative themselves to put our Foundation in the spotlight or to organize an event for the benefit of the Foundation. Are you organizing a promotion soon and want to donate (part of) the proceeds, contact pascale@hubi-vinciane. Every contribution, small or large, is greatly appreciated.

The Hubi & Vinciane Foundation at the Mechelen Christmas market on 17 December!

If you are still looking for a nice Christmas gift, take advantage of stand at the Mechelen Christmas market! Wide choice of wooden sculptures, metal figurines, notebooks, placemats, bags, t-shirts …

Where? Mondiale Kerstmarkt, Refuge, Onze-Lieve-Vrouwestraat 52 2800 Mechelen
When? Saturday, 17 December, from 12:00 to 18:00

On that day, all kinds of Mechelen houdt Je Warm activities will take place in the city center.

QbD continues to support us!

The QbD group supported us throughout 2022 by organizing all sorts of activities.

After last year’s collections, the lunches that a Thai colleague organizes every month recently raised a very nice amount. By Beninese standards, this amount is enough to attend eight deliveries or to perform more than 20 ultrasounds.

The team enthusiastically heard the call for sheets, towels, shoes, and clothes. The van that brought the materials to WereldMissieHulp was completely filled. And that’s only a part of what was collected.

Magdaleen Pieters, Human Resources Manager of the QbD Group, participated in the study tour to Benin in November with her family and mother. She handed over a part of the collected material, including a lot of glasses, to the eye clinic in Boko.

Finally, no less than 21 employees of the QbD group will participate in the Corrida in Leuven on December 30 in aid of the Foundation. Together they have committed to run 220 kilometers.

We greatly appreciate the support and help the QbD Group gives to our Foundation. We thank them warmly!

Westfit donates cycling clothes and equipment to the Benin Cycling Federation

Stijn Sprenghers, founder and director of Westfit – Cycling & Multisport Academy, participated with his family in the immersion trip to Benin in November 2022. He took the opportunity to hand over more than 40 kilos of cycling clothes and equipment to the Benin Cycling Federation. As a Foundation, we are committed to sport and exercise as part of diabetes and hypertension prevention projects, among others. We are, therefore, very pleased with Westfit’s donation to the Benin Cycling Federation.

St. Barbara’s Nursing Home

St. Barbara’s Nursing Home staff organized a sober meal during Lent. All proceeds were donated to the Hubi & Vinciane Foundation.

In the picture, the director and the chaplain, Lieve Van Assche-Dierckx, and the sisters Pascale and Mary-Ann Van Assche.

World Market of Oud-Heverlee – 17 November 2022

Every year, the municipality of Oud-Heverlee organized a world market to highlight projects from the South. It was a chamring and busy edition at the municipal elementary school “de Hazensprong”. Isa Mutsaerts was present with a stand for the Hubi & Vinciane Foundation. She received a scholarship from Oud-Heverlee for her internship visit to Benin. There, she and three other students of the KULeuven worked on the project “Banupads”, which consists in making reusable sanitary napkins from banana fibers.

Ottertrotter in Mechelen

On Sunday, September 18, the Ottertrotter festival took place in the Botanical Garden of Mechelen. Besides musical performances and activities, there was a world market with members of the World Council of Mechelen. The Hubi & Vinciane Foundation was also present. Visitors could visit our stand to get more information about our projects or to buy a nice gift. The weather was favorable to us: fortunately, the rain did not show up until the end of the day.

QbD Clinical, part of the larger QbD Group, is also organizing activities throughout the year to benefit our Foundation in 2022. Thanks to the proceeds of their actions in 2021, we were able to purchase, among other things, a new examination table for the Saint-Martin hospital in Papané and a delivery table for the medical center in Kassouala.

In the spring of 2022, they organized a ‘spring pop-up second-hand clothing’. Furthermore, the ‘mini plant fair’ was a real success: employees could buy cuttings of all kinds of local organic plants supplied by the father of colleague Anneleen De Cock. More recently, a tombola brought in some nice proceeds with thanks to Estelle Rens Ceramics for her contribution to the wonderful prizes. And last but not least, the monthly Thursday Thai lunches remain popular. Not only do they bring in a nice sum for our Foundation, but they also contribute to the ‘teamspirit’. The proceeds of all initiatives go to the equipment of our hospitals.

A heartfelt thank you to QbD Clinical!

Partnership with Entrepreneurs For Entrepreneurs (OVO)

We are delighted with our Foundation’s partnership with Entrepreneurs for Entrepreneurs (OVO). In February 2022, the OVO programme “Sustainable Technology for Africa” (SusTech4Africa) was officially launched in Benin. With this programme, OVO supports sustainable entrepreneurship in Africa. After Uganda, Rwanda, and Senegal, OVO has also included Benin in its program, thanks to their NGO partners and our Foundation. You can find more information on the OVO website.

Spring Corrida 27 March 2022

Due to Covid-19, the end of year Corrida in December 2021 could not occur. Fortunately, DCLA did not throw in the towel and organised a Spring Corrida as soon as circumstances permitted. This took place on Sunday, 27 March.

Despite the lack of sleep – the night of 26 to 27 March marked the start of summertime – around 100 runners turned up for our Foundation at the beginning of the Spring Corrida. Waterleau brought no less than 27 participants and TRIUM Clinical Consulting QbD 10.

Together, they raised over 2,000 euros, bringing the total proceeds of All legs for Benin and the Spring Corrida to over 17,000 euros. Another significant sum for our community vegetable garden project!

Make a note of 30 December 2022 in your diaries because there will be a special edition of the end-of-year Corrida in Leuven! Registrations will be possible from September onwards. As soon as we know more, we will keep you informed. So keep an eye on your email and social media.

Pidpa-HidroPlus donates almost 2,500 euros to our Foundation!

Every year, Pidpa supports development projects through Hidroplus that contribute to developing a sustainable supply of drinking water and wastewater treatment in developing countries. The project must be integrated into the local community and promote the population’s autonomy.

As in previous years, this year, our Foundation is also among the lucky recipients of a contribution from Pidpa. During a short ceremony at the Schilde town hall, a representative of Pidpa presented us with a cheque for 2,470 euros. The municipality of Schilde and Hidroplus together contribute to drinking water supply to our schools in Borgou.

Thank you very much!

Plantyn donates over 40,000 books

After a first donation of almost 25,000 books at the beginning of 2021, we now received a gift from Plantyn of 44,297 brand-new books for our primary and secondary schools in Benin.

The books are no longer adapted to the curricula in Belgium but are perfectly usable in Benin. The books include French, English, science, mathematics, and technology textbooks for both pupils and teachers.

On 17 February, they left by boat for Cotonou in Benin, where they will arrive around 16 March. Our team in Benin will ensure the distribution of the books among the 50 primary and ten secondary schools we are working with. A detailed report will follow.

Run for Boko and Partenamut

For the fifth consecutive time, our partner Le 5e monde is organizing its “Run for Boko” project in Benin, a fundraising event for the benefit of the Saint-Martin hospital in Papané and Saint-Jean-de-Dieu hospital in Boko.

The “Run for Boko” participants organize all kinds of activities themselves and get sponsored. With the proceeds, the hospitals can buy new medical equipment.

Fifteen sportsmen and women will leave for Benin in April 2022. The starting point of the race is the Saint-Martin hospital in Papané. From there, they will walk no less than 80 km in four days to the Saint-Jean-de- Dieu hospital in Boko. This is an undertaking not to be underestimated in temperatures of around 30°C.

Thanks to the company Partenamut, the “Run for Boko” team can already bring a beautiful gift to Benin. Partenamut is donating no less than 70 baby scales and 420 breast pumps! The hospitals will use them locally and in the local medical centers.

Jean-Marc Dumont, who will be participating in the “Run for Boko 5” and who works at Partenamut, has made sure that everything is packed carefully and safely with his colleagues at Run for Boko (here is a picture of the packers). WereldMissieHulp will make sure that the material is shipped in January or February so that it will be in the hospitals before April.

A big thank you to Partenamut and Le 5e monde asbl!

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Run For Boko resumes in Benin after a 2-year break

After a two-year break due to the coronavirus pandemic, the non-profit organisation Le 5e monde resumed its traditional hike: Run For Boko. The walk, which is now in its fifth edition from 6 to 10 April 2022, is part of the non-profit organisation’s sports and cultural solidarity project. The organisation members were asked to get involved by collecting donations from their friends and family in Belgium to support the hospital in Boko financially. The aim was to walk 20 km per day to the final destination Boko. The walkers started from the hospital of Saint-Martin de Papané to reach the hospital of Saint-Jean de Dieu in Boko, after a walk of 80 km.

Ten thousand euros for the hospital in Boko

The hike generated just over ten thousand euros. These funds will be used to finance the orthopaedic mission in December 2021 at the hospital in Boko: 19 surgical operations, 17 patients treated (children with deformed or malformed legs).

Day by day

The trip to Benin was rich in colour, and discovery, as in previous years. It was a time for mixing, exchanging, sharing experiences and networking between Belgians and Beninese. Follow the photo report of the 4-day walk.

Day 1

Run For Boko 5 started at the hospital in Papané at 06:30 sharp, taking a diversion leading directly to the railroad tracks in Tchaourou. On day 1, the group was made up of 15 members of the Le 5e monde organisation, the director of the Saint-Martin de Papané hospital, a few agents of the Papané hospital, and a few curious people, not forgetting Chams-Dine Baguiri, the communication manager of the Hubi et Vinciane Foundation in Benin and the author of this report. After about 6 hours and 30 minutes of walking, the joyful delegation arrived in Guinirou, the first day’s stopover. On the first day of the hike, the sky was overcast, and the heat was not so intense. The whole group was highly motivated to start the second day.

Day 2

On day 2, the enthusiastic group set off from the old train station at Tchatchou. Walking in small, scattered groups, the members of the Le 5e monde do not feel the length of the route despite the blazing sun. Mostly passing through vegetation, the walkers stopped to recover and quench their thirst until they arrived in Badékparou.

Day 3

On day 3, the penultimate day of the trek, the director of the Saint-Jean de Dieu hospital in Boko and some of his colleagues join the group. They left Badékparou together just before 7 am, passing along the high-voltage lines to reach the rails and the stone-crushing quarry in Parakou and reaching their destination, Coteb, before noon.

Day 4: Last day of the trek.

The team of the day before, with some agents of the Hubi & Vinciane Foundation, teachers of the Wansirou public primary school, and other sympathizers, start the last circuit at about 06h40 in Tourou. Determination and endurance animated the walkers who completed the 80 km of the hike on their arrival at the Saint-Jean de Dieu hospital in Boko. Joy, relief, and smiles could be seen on everyone’s faces.

Breast pumps and baby scales for hospitals

After a few moments of rest and refreshment, Jean-Marc Dumont, representing his company Partenamut, donor of breast pumps and baby scales, proceeded to the symbolic handing over of part of the equipment to the director of the Boko hospital. This was an opportunity for the latter to express his warm thanks to Jean-Marc and his company Partenamut. It should be noted that the hospital in Papané and other health centres will also benefit from this equipment.

Some pictures of the walk to see below.

Some of the participants give us their impressions after the Run For Boko 5

Emilie Vermylen, Run For Boko 5 coordinator

This 4-day trek under a scorching sun and the fact that we had to get up very early was a real sporting challenge. Beninese and Belgians all pushed their limits to finish this long journey proudly. This year especially, we were accompanied by the agents of the Papané hospital, Boko, the Hubi & Vinciane Foundation, and many others. We walked side by side. We had a great time with them, passing through villages to meet people in the heart of their daily lives and other sites to satisfy our curiosity. The warm welcome of the Beninese was no exception, as usual.

Yves Aloukoutou, surgeon at the Saint-Jean de Dieu hospital in Boko

My impressions are good because beyond the humanitarian aspect of this hike, which is to support the hospital in Boko and help the vulnerable, the poor, and the children, there is the physical and sporting aspect. We were able to sweat through walking, which is good for our health. Run For Boko is like a symbol, reflecting the love and perseverance of the partners to help those in need. We thank them for all their sacrifices.

Clementine

I feel very emotional that the march is over and we have reached our destination. It symbolises everything we did in Belgium to get there. I am very pleased; everything went well, and we had no problems. What’s more, we were very well accompanied. It was lovely.

Nicolas

This is my second time in Benin as part of the Run For Boko. The first time was on a bike, and this time it’s on foot, and it’s not the same thing. I am proud of the team’s achievement. My legs still hurt, but I think it was worth it. On foot, we were able to exchange and discuss with the Beninese. We learned from them and vice versa.

Géraldine

This is the third time I have come to do a Run for Boko. We have just finished, but I still feel up to continuing tomorrow. The 2022 edition was my favourite because, while walking, we were able to share our life experiences with Beninese citizens and vice versa. It was nice.

Jean-Marc Dumont

I must admit that I am tired. This is my first participation in a Run For Boko event, but I am not disappointed. It was a lovely and solid experience because there were two objectives: humanitarian and sporting. Running kilometres in the heat is not easy, but we took up the challenge by waking up early in the morning to hit the road each time. It allowed me to make exceptional discoveries, and this mix of Belgians and Beninese all united for the hike, I appreciated this mix; it was impressive.

Jean Agbégbanou Director of the Saint-Jean de Dieu Hospital in Boko

This sporting achievement was particularly good for me. I did the last two stages with the group. I was stunned because in two days I walked about 40 km. My colleagues thought I would give up, but I held on until the end. The Run For Boko initiative is a good thing. I want to thank Pascal Laviolette, the initiator of this walk, who was able to prepare the next generation. For her first time as coordinator of Run For Boko, Emilie succeeded brilliantly. A big thank you to Emilie and the whole team of the Cinquième monde association. I want to express my gratitude to Jean-Marc Dumont and his company Partenamut for donating breast pumps and baby scales.