Things I'm Looking Forward to in America



·         Friends and Family!

·         Customer service

·         Emission standards

·         Getting my own seat in a car

·         Safe, paved roads

·         Pedestrian right of way

·         Credit cards

·         Decent public transportation

·         Punctuality and respecting the time

·         Waking up to silence or only with an alarm

·         Being cold (but not too cold)

·         A change in the weather

·         English

·         Privacy

·         Libraries

·         The gym

·         Taking a shower and staying clean

·         Movies and movie theaters (the arts in general)

·         Stress-free shopping

·         Constant electricity

·         Refrigerators and freezers

·         Running water

·         Architecture

·         Genuine brands

·         Work ethic

·         Good pens

·         Internet connection

·         Humane treatment of animals

·         Kitchen equipment

·         Quality education

·         Gender equality

·         Food: Trader Joes, frozen yogurt, whole wheat bread, coffee, soup, smoothies, pizza, berries, broccoli, etc!

Community-Based Rehabilitation Workshop

As one of my lasts projects during my service in Benin, I helped my host structure organize a workshop for a community program for handicapped persons. The program is supported by a Belgium NGO that works with several social promotions centers throughout Benin. Volunteers identify and work with handicapped people in the community by connecting them to services they need such as wheelchairs, canes, or doctor’s visits, doing exercises with them, and encouraging them to be as independent as possible. Since the beginning of the program in 1999, they have never held a comprehensive training session for the committee members and local volunteers. It was clearly time to have a workshop and revitalize the program! Unlike other projects that I initiated with the help of local work partners, this one was 100% planned and presented by the community.

            Since this kind of project is not part of the Peace Corps framework in Benin, my only option was to raise the funds myself using the Peace Corps Project Partnership (PCPP).  I wrote the grant, and once approved it was posted online for people to donate to. Thankfully the budget was relatively small. It took less than one month to fully fund the project thanks to friends and family in the States. Thank you very much to everyone who donated!

Participants at the Social Promotion Center

            Once the money arrived, the social center director, one of the committee members of the program, and I sat down and planned the sessions. I gave them full responsibility to purchase the materials, order the food for the participants, and coordinate the speakers and sessions. It felt so good to not be overseeing every step of the planning and let them handle the details.

            The workshop comprised of three days of sessions in the social center’s conference hall. There were sessions that explained the history of the program in Benin including the evolvement of the rights of handicapped persons, the roles and responsibilities of committee members and volunteers, ergonomics in the home, and practicing hands-on exercises with handicapped patients. A physical therapist from the local hospital was invited to teach about the characteristics of popular handicaps, how to assess patients and do rehabilitative exercises. For the last session, participants practiced conducting home visits of handicapped patients. 

Home visit practice in a local village 

            To evaluate the workshop, we quizzed participants based on the information presented in the sessions and they all scored well. Everyone congratulated the organizers and seemed motivated to get to work in the community. The physical therapist expressed interest in collaborating with the committee by providing his advice and expertise about patients when needed. He also agreed to improve the forms volunteers use to track patients progress. This will help with accountability on the volunteers’ part and make it easier to see if improvements are being made. I was satisfied with results of the workshop and hope it sends the program in the right direction. 

Family Latrine Project

As a health volunteer, my job is to inform people how to prevent disease. On very common group of diseases, especially among children, are diarrheal diseases. In America, this isn’t a big problem because of running water, toilets, sinks, refrigerators, and a government that controls food establishments. In Benin, most people don’t have potable water, a proper place to go to the bathroom, or electricity. In villages, people use fields, bushes, and open areas as a bathroom. As you can imagine, this causes a lot of problems as far as the cycle of disease is concerned. Germs are spread by rain water, flies, animals, and people’s shoes. A simple, but sometimes difficult to explain method to break this cycle is with latrines.   



Making the concrete slab for a simple pit latrine



Back in October of 2012, I started meeting with the hygiene agent in my commune to get a feel for past and current hygiene projects. He explained some of the NGOs that had built latrines in the area and how the projects were set up. Then we started looking for villages that hadn’t benefitted from these projects that would be good candidates. I visited a handful of villages to gain a better understanding of their situations. I saw villages that had benefited from past projects that didn’t succeed because of a lack of professional guidance or follow through. For example, one village’s latrines collapsed because the holes weren’t reinforced. We had to meet with local leaders, and I talked with a nearby environmental NGO for their help. With the hygiene agent’s help, we chose 3 villages in 2 different arrondissements (the commune has about 5 arrondissements). In two of the villages, a simple pit latrine design was chosen. In the third, a composting latrine build above was chosen because of the soil quality. It's a great design because urine and feces are stored until safe to use as a natural fertilizer. Perfect for a village full of farmers!



Finished slab



The next step was completing the grant application. This took a few weeks because I had to make a budget, gather all of the important information about the villages, and specify the logistics of the project. Also, in Benin, it takes time to print, sign, scan, and email the necessary signature pages.  Anything that requires technology in this country is difficult! Every project is required to have at a 25% community contribution. For this project that included sand, water, gravel, digging the hole, and building the cabin. It amounted to about a 40% community contribution. I thought by having the community invest more in the project, they would be more motivated to see it succeed.  After the grant was submitted I had to wait for it to be approved and then for the money to be placed in my bank account. Of course, I wasn’t told when the money was put into my account-I finally had to call and ask. Success! The project was approved and the real work began.



Simple pit latrine before the hole was dug.



We held many preliminary meetings in each village to explain the goals of the project with the leaders and villagers. Then with the help of the village leaders, the beneficiary families were chosen. Contracts were signed, latrine placements were chosen, and we gave our first presentation on the importance of using latrines and hand-washing. Afterwards, we bought all of the materials (cement, iron bars, wood, wire netting, nails, etc) in the large town in our area. Then the masons got to work! They started out quickly and the families provided the sand, water, and gravel. Pretty soon the momentum started to slow down. I think both the families and the masons are to blame. The villages with simple pit latrines were a few weeks late, but the latrines above ground finished on time. I think it’s because the families with simple pit latrines were responsible for building the cabin, whereas the ones above ground were built by the masons. For some reason (all cultural) they were in no rush to have them built. It seems so odd from an American mindset, but to them there is always tomorrow.



Finished composting latrine and family



After soliciting help from the local leaders to push the families to finish, the project’s end was in sight! Families built the cabin out of mud bricks, cement bricks, sheet metal, or palm leaves.  The project provided sheet metal and wood to build the roof, and the families paid for the doors.  Then we held a second presentation on how to use and care for a latrine to make sure it lasts for many years. At the same time, we held a reception to officially close the project and have the families start using the latrines. To help with the sustainability of the project, my work partner and I will go back and visit in one month to check in on the utilization and maintenance of the latrines.



Finished pit latrine and family





Despite all of the headaches and multiple visits to the building sites, the project was a success! It’s difficult to step back and appreciate a project like this one since my time in Benin is winding down. I hope that the beneficiary families will talk with other families about the importance of latrines to motivate them to build them for themselves.  Then maybe people will notice a decline in the incidence of diarrhea. Anyways, any little bit helps!

Bike Tours!

The team all set to start the tour

            A fun project many volunteers put together each year is bike tours.  The main idea is to get a small group of volunteers together who go from town to town in their region and choose a theme to give presentations on.  A few host country nationals (HCNs) come along as well to translate and help with logistics.  Everyone sleeps somewhere in the town and then moves on to the next village the next day. The trips usually last about 5 days.

            Bike tours are a great way to spread a message to multiple villages in a short amount of time. Topics include moringa (an amazing tree that’s leaves are very nutritious), clean water, gardening, and malaria. They are usually done during the dry season (November-February) when rain isn't a problem for biking and villagers have more free time because they don’t have to tend to their fields.  

            This February, Benin volunteers put together 3 bike tours in different regions of the country. I participated in the tour in the Mono-Couffo region, where I live. The theme was malaria (cause, treatment, and prevention).  We all met up in a town about 30 minutes from me. The next day we gave 4 presentations in 4 different villages. We did 2 presentations as a large group and split up into two teams to do 2 more. 

            If I haven’t already explained this before, volunteers are quite the celebrities in Benin. And I mean that in all of the good and bad ways.  We stand out very easily, and attract attention wherever we go. The kids and even the parents call out “yovo yovo” (whitey) and might even sing the yovo song, which trust me, is only cute the first time.  Now picture 8 volunteers on mountain bikes, carrying backpacks, and wearing the same t-shirts (to promote our bike tour) through villages. It must have been quite the site, and maybe even the highlight of people’s week.

A village with their neem cream finished product

            When we arrived in each village, we would meet with the village chief or another person that was contacted during the preparations for the tour. Then all of the villagers were called to come to a central location where the presentation would be held. We usually had to wait at least thirty minutes before everyone made their way over. Then we gave our presentation in French, which was translated into the local language (Adja, Sahoue, Fon, or Kotafon). The main messages we gave was that malaria is spread by mosquitoes, to sleep under treated mosquito nets, and to go to the health center if they have symptoms of malaria. After the presentation, we demonstrated how to make a cream that can be used to repel mosquitoes  It uses neem leaves, water, soap, and oil. It is easy to make and all of the ingredients are locally available. Everyone enjoyed participating and learning how to make it. At the end of each presentation, the audience would clap, sing, or dance.  They made the volunteers get up and dance with them, which made them very happy. They must have been thinking, “Wow, they really can’t dance, can they?” As you can imagine, it’s an exhausting, but very rewarding way to spread a message!

Operation Noel, Aplahoue 2012

January 2013

Around Christmastime 2011, I noticed an Operation Christmas Child shoe box in my supervisor’s house that was sitting in the corner of his living room. Operation Christmas Child is a program through Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian organization that sends shoe boxes filled with gifts to children in developing countries. Churches in the US fill them up and package then for shipping. I asked him about it and then he asked me if there was a way we could have boxes delivered to Aplahoue in 2012. I told him I would see what I could do. After talking to people at Samaritan’s Purse and the Peace Corps staff, I didn’t have any luck getting a hold of anyone. So, we came up with a plan B.

After talking with my parents, we decided to see if we could put together our own form of Operation Christmas Child for orphans and handicapped children in the district of Aplahoue (like a county). I guess one could call it Operation Noel, Aplahoue 2012.  We put together of list of items to include for the gifts and started seeing how we could get them sent. Graciously, the mission committee at our church (Trabuco Presbyterian Church) said they could donate about fifty gifts and spread the word to complement them. People from the church came through with all the rest of the items. Other people chipped in to cover the shipping costs.  Eight, large, flat-rate boxes were shipped to Benin in mid-October and arrived a mere three weeks later- a record speed!  My parents brought me the gifts for about fifty kids with them to Paris, where we met for vacation in August.   

In the months leading up to the event, my supervisor, who is the director of the county social center, got to work. Since we knew the gifts were coming, he wanted to make an event out of it. It was a great example of collaboration with everyone doing their part. We started making of list of what would end up to be 200 children, ages 3-16 who would receive gifts. I made visits to some of their houses to get a feel for their situations and learn their stories, which I will describe below.

 Benedicte Degbe (6 years old): has mild cerebral palsy (not officially diagnosed), had meningitis/seizures as   an infant, and now comes to the social center for “therapy.”

Gerard/Geraldine (9 year old twins): Mother died during child birth (hemorrhage), father abandoned them and has no contact with them, live with grandparents.

Sylvain Sodokin, (16 years old): Both parents died (when he was 2 and then 9 years old), only child, lives with his older cousin and his 2 wives who take care of 8 kids, is in his last year of primary school at 16 years old either because he started school late or has had to retake classes.

Mivode Soglahoun (11 years old): Lives with her widowed aunt and 4 other kids, during summer break she resells things at the market.

A couple of months ago, when my supervisor was still trying to figure out how to sponsor the event, we met a man who runs an NGO out of Cotonou. They visit towns in southern Benin and bring a Christmas party for orphans.  The timing was perfect and was yet another instance of collaboration.  The organization would contribute Santa Claus (Papa Noël) and the police escort. We were still in need of other sponsors to rent tents, chairs, DJ, sound system, food, and drinks. We also sent out letters to people in the community asking for their help, but didn’t receive much this way.

Most things for events in this country happen at the last minute. Less than a week before the event was scheduled, the date was changed, for the second time. Plan Benin, an American NGO that has a large presence in Benin decided to help us out as well. Because of their help, we were able to give more gifts (about 100 more!), serve the kids lunch, and pay for the sound system. Throughout the week before, the local Japanese volunteer and I organized the gifts by gender and age. It was a lot of fun seeing all of the wonderful things everyone sent for the kids.  Some items included toy cars, balls, notebooks, crayons, toothbrushes, combs, nail polish, flip flops, stuffed animals, jewelry, clothes, backpacks, sports equipment, and candy. Plan Benin also donated a t-shirt and children’s books about children’s rights to every child.

Finally, December 24^th came and the festivities began. Obviously, there was a lot of running around mainly by my supervisor to make sure things were being set up.  There was also a lot of waiting around. The NGO that was bringing Santa had another event a few hours away that morning and didn’t show up until late afternoon. We held the event at a nearby orphanage called Village of Hope that also has a primary school on its grounds. The children arrived early, all dressed up and ready for Santa. Unfortunately, they just had to sit and wait. After the chairs and tents were set up, the DJ kept them company with music and some kids danced. Eventually, lunch was served (Spanish-style rice with fish) and everyone got a soda. Important people started showing up such as the local district/county officials, a TV station, and finally the mayor.  In any event such as this one, you cannot begin until all of the important people show up, even if that means they are hours late.

Everyone waiting for Santa to arrive

When Santa “Papa Noël” arrived, he was escorted in by Santa’s helpers. All of the kids looked surprised and excited to see this strange man walking in.  Apparently Santa can only be a white man because the costume covers up his skin.  Santa wears a mask, latex gloves, and rubber boots; not the most comforting image for children in my opinion. Once he was seated, the ceremony was kicked off with a group of professional dancers.  Then a traditional welcome dance was performed by the kids that live at the Village of Hope.  Typical speeches describing the reason for the event, its sponsors, thanks, and welcome were given by the mayor, Plan Benin, the Christmas NGO, and then me. It was no easy feat to speak in French to everyone present in addition to everyone watching on TV, so I made it short and sweet, ending with “bonne fête” (have a good party), and “akpe nomi lo” (thank you in Adja).

With the help of two other Peace Corps Volunteers, one Japanese volunteer, Santa’s helpers, Santa, and the social center staff, we started distributing gifts. There were children present that were not on our list, so we had to be careful when handing out the gifts.  When a name was called, a Santa’s helper picked a gift according to their gender and age, handed it to Santa, who then handed it to the child. As far as I could tell, this worked out well, and at the end we had leftover gifts. The mayor also gave every child 500 FCFA (about 1$) with the idea that they could buy something special for dinner that night.     

Santa and Santa's helpers giving out presents

Overall, Operation Noël, Aplahoue 2012 was a success. With any luck, this event can continue in the years to come. Thank you to everyone who donated gifts, helped us get everything to Benin, or kept us in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks for sending your Christmas cheer! Best wishes for 2013 everyone! 

A participant and her gifts 

Things I’m thankful for this year:

Thanksgiving feast in Kandi

Peace Corps Volunteers: For being there when I want to speak to a fellow American, to share stories and experiences with. For being trustworthy, easy-going, and good listeners. For being my travel buddies, work partners, my family during holidays and celebrations, and my go-to group of people when I have a question about just about anything. For cooking a delicious Thanksgiving dinner that was just as good as being in America. We had turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans, salad, stuffing, deviled eggs, vegetable pot pie, pumpkin and apple pie. Thanks to people who visited Benin or had food sent from America, and to those who picked up ingredients in larger towns in Benin, we ate very well!

Workstations: For providing electricity, internet, showers, ovens, and refrigerators to volunteers throughout the country. For giving us a place to see other volunteers to share resources and have meetings.

Work partners: For being on time. For being helpful and surprising me by going beyond my expectations. I am thankful any time this happens because it could just as easily go the other way (like arriving late or not at all!)

My house: For not being infested with rodents or insects or at least for a sealed ceiling that doesn't let the rodents in; for no break-ins; for a roof that prevents water from entering; for a latrine all to myself; for my painted walls and decorations that remind me of home.

My health and safety: For not being in any accidents or falling gravely ill.

·        Talking to my parents every Sunday: For their weekly phone calls that fill me in on life in America and allow me to explain just what the heck I do in Benin.

Electricity: For my ability to turn on lights, charge my electronics, and cool off with my fan; for my internet key that has been reliable; for the phone network that allows me to talk to other volunteers for as long as I want for one fee per month.

Food: For my access to protein sources (eggs, tofu, peanut butter, fish, powdered milk); for fruits and vegetables (sometimes); for foods sent from home; for foods I can bake/cook that remind me of home.

Books/Movies/TV shows: For the impressive libraries each workstation has that allows me to read books on any topic of my choosing; for the just as impressive amount of movies and TV shows that are shared among volunteers that keep me entertained when I want a few minutes away from Benin.

YOU!: For reading my blog and supporting me J    

Empowering Girls

Benin doesn't rank very high in women's equality issues which include jobs, health care, and education. In fact, according to the 2012 Global Gender Gap Report, Benin ranks #117 out of 135 countries. With that being said, Peace Corps Benin along with many other Peace Corps countries, works with these complex issues with a variety of programs. The Gender and Development program, or GAD, has a committee that represents a number of programs run by volunteers throughout the year. These include boys and girls camp resources, small grants for projects relating to gender and development, "Take Our Daughters To Work" weekend, Summer Internship Program, and the Scholarship Girls Program.

This year, I am the Scholarship Girls Program Coordinator. This program allows for volunteers to work with their local secondary schools to choose one girl who will receive a scholarship for her school fees and school supplies. The recipients are required to stay in contact with the volunteer during the year, fill out the necessary forms, and complete a community project. Volunteers are encouraged to tutor and mentor the students to motivate them, provide support, and be a role model. Traditionally in Benin, if a family only has enough money to send one child to school, they will send a boy over a girl. The government is working hard to change this by waiving the school fees for girls up to the equivalent of tenth grade. Each year for the past few years, they have been expanding the program to include more grade levels.  In addition to the government fees, each school has it's own fees. Outside of the fees, students need a school uniform, a gym uniform, notebooks, workbooks, and other school supplies. This can add up to a lot of money for a family, multiplied by sometimes many children.

Being involved in this program in my first few months at post last year helped me get to know my community and understand the education system in Benin. I got to know my girl and met with her one on one. This was a unique experience for both of us. At times communication was difficult as was finding time to meet, but by the end of the year I noticed that Delphine had more confidence, and she passed her classes and the national exam needed to go on to the second cycle of secondary school. For her project, she decided to talk with villages about the importance of sending girls to school. After we met to go over the presentation, she practiced and presented on her own to two different villages. I was impressed with her public speaking skills and the positive response she received from the audiences. Most girls I meet here are very shy and do not enjoy speaking in front of groups of people. Seeing her in the front of a crowd and speaking with authority gave me hope for her future and girls like her. I learned that it doesn't take but a little nudge in the right direction and some encouragement to make a difference in someone's life. My student for this school year is a very sweet girl, and we are getting along well already. We bought all of her school supplies in the market together, and all that's left is to order a chalk board that she can use to study at home. I got excited for her while we were doing our "back to school shopping" just like I used to do as a student. She's equipped and ready for an exciting school year that I have the pleasure to accompany her on.

Delphine giving a presentation in a village