Benin

Basic Information

• Assisting: 1271 girls in 2006-2007
• Target areas of assistance: Bembéréké, Parakou and Niki in the north; Zjobodome, Abomé, Bohicon and Porto-Novo in the south
• Partners: GAJES for implementation in Abomé, Bohicon and Porto-Novo and ACDD for implementation in Bembéréké, Parakou and Niki
• School year calendar: October - July

Program Overview

Selection Process

Scholars are selected through a transparent process which increases accountability and inclusiveness. The girls are chosen by selection committees made up of the Head of School Enrollment or his representative, the mayor, the village chief, a member of the community's women's group, the APE president and two other community members.

The scholarships are comprised of books, school supplies, backpack, school fees, shoes, uniforms, and breakfast for the girls throughout the year.

Mentors

There are currently 34 mentors volunteering in Benin. They are volunteers who are business women, dress makers, housewives who have at least completed primary school and teachers who have been recruited by the communities. The mentors have been actively monitoring the girls' academic work, they organize home visits, and help organize and supervise study groups both at the school and in the girls' homes. Plans for mentoring programs are underway at the community level and several HIV/AIDS awareness discussions have already been held in many communities. We expect the mentoring activities in Benin to build the scholars' self-esteem, improve their academic performance, and provide them with life skills.

Program Update

In Year 1, the AGSP provided scholarships to 931 girls in seven regions of the country with assistance from an in-country consultant, Ms. Sika Houngnihin. The program was able to accomplish its Year 1 objectives and activities and the stakeholders began preparing for Year 2 well in advance.

In Year 2, scholarships were disbursed and mentoring activities were launched with a high level of enthusiasm and participation on the part of the girls and the communities. Our NGO partners were able to increase the number of scholars by 251 girls.

During Year 3, implementing partners again were able to increase the number of beneficiaries of the program. For the 2006-2007 school year, 1,271 girls are benefiting from the program.

Her Excellency Ambassador Gayleatha Beatrice Brown presided the official program launch, which took place on November 9, 2006. The event took place in Séhoun and scholars from Gnidjazoun also participated in the event. In addition to the Ambassador, many community notables also participated, including: a government representative from Zou-Collines, a representative of the mayor of Abomey, the Department Director for Primary and Secondary schools, Abomey education officials and local education heads, government representatives at the village levels from the AGSP impacted communities, members of Mothers' Associations and Parents' Associations, mentors, and the AGSP consultant. The event included speeches from many of the notables as well as a performance by some of the AGSP scholars.