Benin

The West African nation of Benin has experienced one of the most stable democracies in all of Africa. Despite this and recent economic growth, Benin remains one of the poorest nations in Africa and the world. Close to nine million people live in Benin and many still lack access to basic social services and remain dependent upon subsistence farming.

Our Work in Benin

The Hunger Project has been working in Benin since 1997 and is currently empowering over 31,000 partners in 13 epicentre communities to end their own hunger and poverty. Through its integrated approach to rural development, the Epicentre Strategy, The Hunger Project is working with people to successfully access the basic services needed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and lead lives of self-reliance.

Increasing Food Security

The Hunger Project-Benin empowers and support farmers with training and materials to increase and diversify their food production. While Benin does not suffer from major droughts or floods, there is nevertheless a great shortage of food.

Food banks at the epicentre, village and household levels help communities stay food secure in case of a shortage. The Hunger Project-Benin recently launched a pilot project, The Food Production Contest, which has successfully catalysed commitment to the end of hunger and poverty by increasing stocks in community food banks.

Improving Health and Hygiene

Epicentre health centres provide primary health care and immunisation programmes. They also teach men and women how to improve their health and hygiene.

The Hunger Project-Benin has pioneered a Family Planning and Nutritional Monitoring Community Dialogue Project in an effort to preserve the health of both women and children in the community. When births are spread out, children are invariably healthier and women have more time and energy to invest in their income-generating activities.

Promoting Education

Adult and child literacy programmes conducted in local and national languages are being carried out in more than 30 literacy centres in The Hunger Project-Benin’s programme areas. The local government continues to support The Hunger Project-Benin with teachers and materials. In an effort to ensure that girls stay in school, The Hunger Project-Benin implemented a Mother’s Club which sensitises women to the benefits of sending girls to school. The programme has seen notable results such as a reduction in local child trafficking as well as an increase in literacy rates.

Microfinance

To date, The Hunger Project has distributed USD$1,279,841 in loans to a total of 3,917 people in our epicentre communities. The current cumulative repayment rate stands at 87.23 percent.

Meet Pascal our Country Director in Benin, learn more about the key initiatives that are empowering people and ending hunger or take action now and get involved