To follow up on their similar experience in Jamaica in previous years, we wanted to continue to enrich the lives of young Canadians, this time spending a longer period of time in a different culture. In the wave of Canadian help to Africa, we wanted to join in and help our contacts, The Prison Fellowship International: Benin Section, in their humanitarian endeavors.

 

Four groups comprised of about ten young adults and of a few adult organizers experienced this volunteering project by expressing their solidarity with the needy of this West-African country: During the summers of 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010, they traveled to the poor regions and to civil prisons of this developing country to lend their assistance in various projects such as construction, teaching, medical aid, day camps and social work. They devoted their time, energy, love and vacation to help the most impoverished inhabitants of our world.

 

Each participant contributed a certain amount to substantiate his or her commitment, then took part in various fundraisers to cover his or her expenses and to buy the needed materials such as computers, pharmaceutical and medical supplies, school supplies, etc.

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Our Projects

Covè

In Covè are the headquarters of the Prison Fellowship International: Benin Section. During each of our trips, we worked with the people of Covè in the installations managed by the Prison Fellowship: a health clinic, a computer services unit, and a maternity clinic.

 

We organized and led a day camp for hundreds of children from Hounso and Houin.

 

Three of the Jeun’ Espoir groups participated in the construction of a medical complex which will also house the new headquarters of the Prison Fellowship.

This is also where we distributed basic supplies, computers, medication and mosquito nets.

 

Abomey

Two of our groups assisted members of the Prison Fellowship in medical clinics in the Abomey civil prison. Over those days, we saw and distributed medication to hundreds of men and women prisoners. We also participated in the preparation of medication and pomade.

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Cotonou

We visited the Cotonou civil prison, where we helped members of the Prison Fellowship to sanitize the toilets and the sleeping quarters.

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We participated in the construction and painting of a computer training room inside the prison compound, and gave basic computer training to about ten detainees.

 

We visited the Centre de sauvegarde de l’enfance (a childhood protection centre) on the outskirts of town, where we interacted with several young offenders.

 

The last group also organized and held a day camp for the Bon Berger school children.

 

Natitingou

We spent time in an orphanage where we organized a mini day camp for the children.