Plan Benin Annual Program Report 2007

146.5mm FLAP

148.5mm BACK

Challenge and change in Benin

Real progress

It’s been a busy year for Plan in Benin. In spite of some economic progress and new efforts by the Government, poverty and inequality have not decreased. Benin is also facing the threat of bird flu.

With the support of Plan, children and adults in Benin are working together to develop their communities and claim their right to a better future. And real progress is being made.

Last year our work included:

Plan’s priorities include improving health, education, living conditions and income levels. Benin suffers from child trafficking and child labour as well as forced and early marriage, so raising awareness of children’s rights and child protection are also crucial to our work. We provide training for police, schools and local government, and support a children’s parliament and media activities so that children themselves can make their voices heard.

As Plan’s Country Director, Mahamadou Tounkara, says: “Plan will continue to bring children’s issues higher on the national agenda and to strive for a brighter future for Benin’s children.”

In this Country Progress Report we look in detail at just one of the hundreds of successful projects that your support has made possible.

p A community team

collect data on children’ s health

Benin country facts Population: 8.4 million

Life expectancy: 55 years

Capital: Porto-Novo

People without safe drinking water: 33%

United Nations Human Development Index ranking: 163rd (out of 177 countries)

• Starting to build, renovate and equip 90 primary and secondary classrooms and 34 nurseries – increasing school attendance by improving physical learning environments

• Constructing 36 boreholes providing 6,250 people with safe, clean drinking water near their homes all year round, reducing waterborne diseases.

Plan’s greatest successes come from a joint effort combining the hard work and determination of communities, children, volunteers, staff, and partner organisations. The ongoing support of our sponsors is a vital ingredient, too. It’s their generosity and commitment that allows us to continue to help children in 49 of the poorest countries in the world.

So on behalf of the children and communities we work with, thank you to all our sponsors!

(Sources: the UN, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, UNICEF)

BEN

Any enquiries please contact: Nick Burton. e: nick@bright-uk.com m: 07884 367567. d: 020 7620 8150 Size (Prod)

Colours(Prod)

Art (A/D)

Copy (C/W)

Content (Acc.)

Benin

to protect against malaria, a major child killer

Adults who can read and write: 35%

0407 100647 PLAN 0407_Benin 13.11.07 210x443.5mm FOLD TO A5 Client proof: 2 3

p Insecticide -treated bed-n ets – crucial to against malar the fight ia – are distribu ted

• Distributing 30,000 free insecticide-treated bed nets to children under five

Plan UK Registered Charity No: 276035

Admagic No: Bright No: Client name: File name: Date: Size: Studio proof:

148.5mm FRONT

Country Progress Report 2007

146.5mm FLAP

148.5mm BACK

Challenge and change in Benin

Real progress

It’s been a busy year for Plan in Benin. In spite of some economic progress and new efforts by the Government, poverty and inequality have not decreased. Benin is also facing the threat of bird flu.

With the support of Plan, children and adults in Benin are working together to develop their communities and claim their right to a better future. And real progress is being made.

Last year our work included:

Plan’s priorities include improving health, education, living conditions and income levels. Benin suffers from child trafficking and child labour as well as forced and early marriage, so raising awareness of children’s rights and child protection are also crucial to our work. We provide training for police, schools and local government, and support a children’s parliament and media activities so that children themselves can make their voices heard.

As Plan’s Country Director, Mahamadou Tounkara, says: “Plan will continue to bring children’s issues higher on the national agenda and to strive for a brighter future for Benin’s children.”

In this Country Progress Report we look in detail at just one of the hundreds of successful projects that your support has made possible.

p A community team

collect data on children’ s health

Benin country facts Population: 8.4 million

Life expectancy: 55 years

Capital: Porto-Novo

People without safe drinking water: 33%

United Nations Human Development Index ranking: 163rd (out of 177 countries)

• Starting to build, renovate and equip 90 primary and secondary classrooms and 34 nurseries – increasing school attendance by improving physical learning environments

• Constructing 36 boreholes providing 6,250 people with safe, clean drinking water near their homes all year round, reducing waterborne diseases.

Plan’s greatest successes come from a joint effort combining the hard work and determination of communities, children, volunteers, staff, and partner organisations. The ongoing support of our sponsors is a vital ingredient, too. It’s their generosity and commitment that allows us to continue to help children in 49 of the poorest countries in the world.

So on behalf of the children and communities we work with, thank you to all our sponsors!

(Sources: the UN, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, UNICEF)

BEN

Any enquiries please contact: Nick Burton. e: nick@bright-uk.com m: 07884 367567. d: 020 7620 8150 Size (Prod)

Colours(Prod)

Art (A/D)

Copy (C/W)

Content (Acc.)

Benin

to protect against malaria, a major child killer

Adults who can read and write: 35%

0407 100647 PLAN 0407_Benin 13.11.07 210x443.5mm FOLD TO A5 Client proof: 2 3

p Insecticide -treated bed-n ets – crucial to against malar the fight ia – are distribu ted

• Distributing 30,000 free insecticide-treated bed nets to children under five

Plan UK Registered Charity No: 276035

Admagic No: Bright No: Client name: File name: Date: Size: Studio proof:

148.5mm FRONT

Country Progress Report 2007

148.5mm INSIDE

148.5mm INSIDE

Girls Leading Our World Last June, 48 girls attended this year’s imaginatively named Camp GLOW.

The Camp is a week-long event in Porto-Novo, Benin’s capital, bringing girls together for a week of varied activities, both educational and fun.

GLOW stands for “Girls Leading Our World” – and the Camp is all about giving girls the skills and confidence to take a lead in their communities and in the future of Benin. It’s important in a country where women’s (and girls’) views and opinions are often overlooked, and female empowerment is needed to drive forward the country’s development.

Plan provided financial support for the project, and half the participants came from communities Plan works with.

The Camp began on Monday, with an opening ceremony involving the US Ambassador, the Mayor of Porto-Novo, the Minister of Education and representatives from Plan.

Later that day, the girls played a game themed on gender issues as a fun way in to discussing gender roles in Benin, and Beninese charity Victory Way spoke about the importance of education, women’s rights, sexual harassment and conflict resolution techniques.

within the Beninese legal system. That afternoon, the girls visited the Ethnographic Museum, where they learned about the different regions of Benin and its history. In the evening, the girls were given time to prepare for the talent show later in the week.

The girls encountered women who had overcome the odds to become respected and sometimes renowned members of society.

Thursday saw a talk by a midwife

p Learning through play at

Camp GLOW

about puberty and reproduction, and participants learned about nutrition and how to identify and use the Moringa tree, which grows abundantly throughout Benin and has exceptional nutritional properties.

On Tuesday, the girls learned about HIV/AIDS, and two women living with HIV shared their experiences. That afternoon, a local artisan helped the girls to create their own beaded necklaces, and volunteers working in the Beninese educational system talked with the girls about time management and honing their study skills. That night, there were games.

On Wednesday, local artisans spoke to the girls about the importance of recycling and taught them how to make decorative objects out of plastic bags.

A respected female politician also talked about the rights of women and children

The girls learned how to recognize the tree and incorporate it into their foods.

That afternoon, girls visited Project Songhai, a progressive agricultural centre. Later that evening, volunteers organised a dance party for all participants.

On Friday, volunteers led a session on environmental protection, and women representing various medical professions, teachers, a politician and an agriculturalist took part in a career panel, speaking to the girls about their respective professions, as well as shared wisdom on overcoming the odds and

succeeding both in school and in the workplace.

That afternoon, the girls attended a session on financial planning. In the evening, the girls performed in the talent show, and all Camp participants sang, danced and shared lessons learned around a campfire. They discussed what was the most important information ascertained at Camp GLOW, and how girls can share that information with other girls in their own communities.

146.5mm INSIDE

from family members. Many adolescent girls in Benin, for example, know nothing about puberty and reproduction.

The girls who participated in camp GLOW are now better equipped to stay in school, succeed in their educations and become the role models of the next generation.

Girls got important information they would not otherwise have learned in school or from family members.

Forty-eight girls took part. Although this in itself is not a huge number, the participants will be able to take these new-found skills back to their respective communities to share with other girls through formal presentations about the Camp. In turn, those other girls will pass knowledge onto others, producing a “ripple effect” that will advance Benin’s development far into the future.

On Saturday, the final morning, volunteers led a session on goal-setting and how to formulate steps needed to attain goals. Each girl came up with a life goal, such as becoming a doctor, and wrote down both short-term and long-term actions she could perform in order to attain her stated goal, such as paying attention in class, working hard in biology and attending university. All the girls received certificates and the Camp was drawn to a close.

Achieving goals The girls who took part in the Camp gained knowledge, self-confidence and encountered women who had overcome the odds to become respected and sometimes renowned members of society. Most importantly, the girls got important information they would not otherwise have learned in school or

p The girls at Camp GLOW,

assembling at the beginning of the

day

148.5mm INSIDE

148.5mm INSIDE

Girls Leading Our World Last June, 48 girls attended this year’s imaginatively named Camp GLOW.

The Camp is a week-long event in Porto-Novo, Benin’s capital, bringing girls together for a week of varied activities, both educational and fun.

GLOW stands for “Girls Leading Our World” – and the Camp is all about giving girls the skills and confidence to take a lead in their communities and in the future of Benin. It’s important in a country where women’s (and girls’) views and opinions are often overlooked, and female empowerment is needed to drive forward the country’s development.

Plan provided financial support for the project, and half the participants came from communities Plan works with.

The Camp began on Monday, with an opening ceremony involving the US Ambassador, the Mayor of Porto-Novo, the Minister of Education and representatives from Plan.

Later that day, the girls played a game themed on gender issues as a fun way in to discussing gender roles in Benin, and Beninese charity Victory Way spoke about the importance of education, women’s rights, sexual harassment and conflict resolution techniques.

within the Beninese legal system. That afternoon, the girls visited the Ethnographic Museum, where they learned about the different regions of Benin and its history. In the evening, the girls were given time to prepare for the talent show later in the week.

The girls encountered women who had overcome the odds to become respected and sometimes renowned members of society.

Thursday saw a talk by a midwife

p Learning through play at

Camp GLOW

about puberty and reproduction, and participants learned about nutrition and how to identify and use the Moringa tree, which grows abundantly throughout Benin and has exceptional nutritional properties.

On Tuesday, the girls learned about HIV/AIDS, and two women living with HIV shared their experiences. That afternoon, a local artisan helped the girls to create their own beaded necklaces, and volunteers working in the Beninese educational system talked with the girls about time management and honing their study skills. That night, there were games.

On Wednesday, local artisans spoke to the girls about the importance of recycling and taught them how to make decorative objects out of plastic bags.

A respected female politician also talked about the rights of women and children

The girls learned how to recognize the tree and incorporate it into their foods.

That afternoon, girls visited Project Songhai, a progressive agricultural centre. Later that evening, volunteers organised a dance party for all participants.

On Friday, volunteers led a session on environmental protection, and women representing various medical professions, teachers, a politician and an agriculturalist took part in a career panel, speaking to the girls about their respective professions, as well as shared wisdom on overcoming the odds and

succeeding both in school and in the workplace.

That afternoon, the girls attended a session on financial planning. In the evening, the girls performed in the talent show, and all Camp participants sang, danced and shared lessons learned around a campfire. They discussed what was the most important information ascertained at Camp GLOW, and how girls can share that information with other girls in their own communities.

146.5mm INSIDE

from family members. Many adolescent girls in Benin, for example, know nothing about puberty and reproduction.

The girls who participated in camp GLOW are now better equipped to stay in school, succeed in their educations and become the role models of the next generation.

Girls got important information they would not otherwise have learned in school or from family members.

Forty-eight girls took part. Although this in itself is not a huge number, the participants will be able to take these new-found skills back to their respective communities to share with other girls through formal presentations about the Camp. In turn, those other girls will pass knowledge onto others, producing a “ripple effect” that will advance Benin’s development far into the future.

On Saturday, the final morning, volunteers led a session on goal-setting and how to formulate steps needed to attain goals. Each girl came up with a life goal, such as becoming a doctor, and wrote down both short-term and long-term actions she could perform in order to attain her stated goal, such as paying attention in class, working hard in biology and attending university. All the girls received certificates and the Camp was drawn to a close.

Achieving goals The girls who took part in the Camp gained knowledge, self-confidence and encountered women who had overcome the odds to become respected and sometimes renowned members of society. Most importantly, the girls got important information they would not otherwise have learned in school or

p The girls at Camp GLOW,

assembling at the beginning of the

day

148.5mm INSIDE

148.5mm INSIDE

Girls Leading Our World Last June, 48 girls attended this year’s imaginatively named Camp GLOW.

The Camp is a week-long event in Porto-Novo, Benin’s capital, bringing girls together for a week of varied activities, both educational and fun.

GLOW stands for “Girls Leading Our World” – and the Camp is all about giving girls the skills and confidence to take a lead in their communities and in the future of Benin. It’s important in a country where women’s (and girls’) views and opinions are often overlooked, and female empowerment is needed to drive forward the country’s development.

Plan provided financial support for the project, and half the participants came from communities Plan works with.

The Camp began on Monday, with an opening ceremony involving the US Ambassador, the Mayor of Porto-Novo, the Minister of Education and representatives from Plan.

Later that day, the girls played a game themed on gender issues as a fun way in to discussing gender roles in Benin, and Beninese charity Victory Way spoke about the importance of education, women’s rights, sexual harassment and conflict resolution techniques.

within the Beninese legal system. That afternoon, the girls visited the Ethnographic Museum, where they learned about the different regions of Benin and its history. In the evening, the girls were given time to prepare for the talent show later in the week.

The girls encountered women who had overcome the odds to become respected and sometimes renowned members of society.

Thursday saw a talk by a midwife

p Learning through play at

Camp GLOW

about puberty and reproduction, and participants learned about nutrition and how to identify and use the Moringa tree, which grows abundantly throughout Benin and has exceptional nutritional properties.

On Tuesday, the girls learned about HIV/AIDS, and two women living with HIV shared their experiences. That afternoon, a local artisan helped the girls to create their own beaded necklaces, and volunteers working in the Beninese educational system talked with the girls about time management and honing their study skills. That night, there were games.

On Wednesday, local artisans spoke to the girls about the importance of recycling and taught them how to make decorative objects out of plastic bags.

A respected female politician also talked about the rights of women and children

The girls learned how to recognize the tree and incorporate it into their foods.

That afternoon, girls visited Project Songhai, a progressive agricultural centre. Later that evening, volunteers organised a dance party for all participants.

On Friday, volunteers led a session on environmental protection, and women representing various medical professions, teachers, a politician and an agriculturalist took part in a career panel, speaking to the girls about their respective professions, as well as shared wisdom on overcoming the odds and

succeeding both in school and in the workplace.

That afternoon, the girls attended a session on financial planning. In the evening, the girls performed in the talent show, and all Camp participants sang, danced and shared lessons learned around a campfire. They discussed what was the most important information ascertained at Camp GLOW, and how girls can share that information with other girls in their own communities.

146.5mm INSIDE

from family members. Many adolescent girls in Benin, for example, know nothing about puberty and reproduction.

The girls who participated in camp GLOW are now better equipped to stay in school, succeed in their educations and become the role models of the next generation.

Girls got important information they would not otherwise have learned in school or from family members.

Forty-eight girls took part. Although this in itself is not a huge number, the participants will be able to take these new-found skills back to their respective communities to share with other girls through formal presentations about the Camp. In turn, those other girls will pass knowledge onto others, producing a “ripple effect” that will advance Benin’s development far into the future.

On Saturday, the final morning, volunteers led a session on goal-setting and how to formulate steps needed to attain goals. Each girl came up with a life goal, such as becoming a doctor, and wrote down both short-term and long-term actions she could perform in order to attain her stated goal, such as paying attention in class, working hard in biology and attending university. All the girls received certificates and the Camp was drawn to a close.

Achieving goals The girls who took part in the Camp gained knowledge, self-confidence and encountered women who had overcome the odds to become respected and sometimes renowned members of society. Most importantly, the girls got important information they would not otherwise have learned in school or

p The girls at Camp GLOW,

assembling at the beginning of the

day

146.5mm FLAP

148.5mm BACK

Challenge and change in Benin

Real progress

It’s been a busy year for Plan in Benin. In spite of some economic progress and new efforts by the Government, poverty and inequality have not decreased. Benin is also facing the threat of bird flu.

With the support of Plan, children and adults in Benin are working together to develop their communities and claim their right to a better future. And real progress is being made.

Last year our work included:

Plan’s priorities include improving health, education, living conditions and income levels. Benin suffers from child trafficking and child labour as well as forced and early marriage, so raising awareness of children’s rights and child protection are also crucial to our work. We provide training for police, schools and local government, and support a children’s parliament and media activities so that children themselves can make their voices heard.

As Plan’s Country Director, Mahamadou Tounkara, says: “Plan will continue to bring children’s issues higher on the national agenda and to strive for a brighter future for Benin’s children.”

In this Country Progress Report we look in detail at just one of the hundreds of successful projects that your support has made possible.

p A community team

collect data on children’ s health

Benin country facts Population: 8.4 million

Life expectancy: 55 years

Capital: Porto-Novo

People without safe drinking water: 33%

United Nations Human Development Index ranking: 163rd (out of 177 countries)

• Starting to build, renovate and equip 90 primary and secondary classrooms and 34 nurseries – increasing school attendance by improving physical learning environments

• Constructing 36 boreholes providing 6,250 people with safe, clean drinking water near their homes all year round, reducing waterborne diseases.

Plan’s greatest successes come from a joint effort combining the hard work and determination of communities, children, volunteers, staff, and partner organisations. The ongoing support of our sponsors is a vital ingredient, too. It’s their generosity and commitment that allows us to continue to help children in 49 of the poorest countries in the world.

So on behalf of the children and communities we work with, thank you to all our sponsors!

(Sources: the UN, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, UNICEF)

BEN

Any enquiries please contact: Nick Burton. e: nick@bright-uk.com m: 07884 367567. d: 020 7620 8150 Size (Prod)

Colours(Prod)

Art (A/D)

Copy (C/W)

Content (Acc.)

Benin

to protect against malaria, a major child killer

Adults who can read and write: 35%

0407 100647 PLAN 0407_Benin 13.11.07 210x443.5mm FOLD TO A5 Client proof: 2 3

p Insecticide -treated bed-n ets – crucial to against malar the fight ia – are distribu ted

• Distributing 30,000 free insecticide-treated bed nets to children under five

Plan UK Registered Charity No: 276035

Admagic No: Bright No: Client name: File name: Date: Size: Studio proof:

148.5mm FRONT

Country Progress Report 2007