Big thanks to everyone for your donations to help the flood victims in Benin.
We raised $6000 through our Benin Flood Relief Campaign. Your support was truly appreciated. You can download a PDF report and more photos here.
The funds helped over 300 families in 39 villages, roughly 2200 individuals. Each family received a share of 18,000 tons of corn and other food products to help alleviate famine, as the flood destroyed many crops, homes and other properties.
To ensure the funds would go where they were needed most, I met with representatives of several other organizations already on the ground. The Red Cross, a delegation from the World Bank Group, and the Benin Ministry of Interior were kind enough to share their reports with me and help orient my efforts. More →
On December 5, 2010, in Natitingou, Benin, the Mayor’s office held their annual World AIDS Day Event. World AIDS Day 2010 raised awareness to tackle HIV prejudice and help stop the spread of HIV in Benin.
Nearly 140 BEF students from Natitingou and three surrounding villages - Perma, Toucountouna, and Tempegre - participated in the World AIDS Day activities.
The Mayor’s office organized a parade through the city center, where students showcased their HIV/AIDS awareness. PSI, Population Services International, a leading global health organization with programs targeting malaria, child survival, HIV and reproductive health, provided condoms to those in attendance. More information about PSI can be found at their website: www.psi.org.
A local doctor who specializes in treatment of HIV/AIDS patients spoke to students about prevention of HIV/AIDS. During the event students were offered free HIV testing and students from the Lycée de Jeune Fille, an all girl’s boarding school, performed a skit.
After the event, BEF students enjoyed sodas and sandwiches and recapped the important information they had learned throughout the day.
In just a few weeks, dozens of individuals came together and raised over $6000 to help victims of the floods in Benin. Thank you to each and every donor for your generosity, support, and rapid response. Every dollar raised will go directly to flood relief. The BEF founder is currently in Benin to distribute the funds and we will provide an update upon his return.
About the Floods
Over the past 2 months, the most extreme floods since 1963 have plunged Benin into a crisis. As of early November, over 680,000 people have been affected by flooding in two-thirds of the country. Over 800 cases of cholera have been reported. Approximately 55,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed. Read more here. These events have received very little coverage in the U.S. media.
Blessedly, most BEF students live outside the worst-affected areas - but they, and we, are anxious to help their fellow citizens in need. Our students have been surveying damage and identifying the greatest material needs, and BEF established a fund for Flood Relief.
BEF Founder Alphonse Kouagou is traveling to Benin this month. Funds raised will purchase supplies for those who need them most. All supplies, except for water purifying tablets, will be purchased in Benin.
Vote by November 15 to help BEF student Nicolas N’Da win $1000 for his business idea! Nicolas is one of BEF’s star students and has long dreamed of running his own farm. A few years ago, Nicholas sought BEF’s help to transfer to a technical school that provides hands-on education in farming, animal husbandry and veterinary care. Nicholas has become an exemplary student. He completed a 4-month internship at the world-renowned Songhai farms, which practice and teach sustainable agriculture. He then earned a prestigious national scholarship to continue his studies at the National Agricultural Institute. Nicolas entered a business plan in the Peace Corps Africa Rural Connect competition and is in 2nd place! You can support him by voting for his project. Visit http://arc.peacecorpsconnect.org/, register, and search for “Benin” to find Nicolas’ project. Endorse him by November 15!
*The site can be slow - it may take a few hours for your registration to process. Please hang in there!
To create vocational and entrepreneurial opportunities for BEF students, we are conducting a business plan competition starting in 2011. Interested high school and university students will attend a business plan writing workshop, craft their idea, assemble their team and submit a finalized business plan. The competition is open to business plans representing any industry or concept and will be judged based on merit and likelihood of success. BEF plans to award cash and consultation support to the top 3 entries, with cash awards totaling $10,000. If you would like to sponsor the business plan competition, or for more information, please contact us!
BEF’s partnership with the U.S. Peace Corps in Benin continues, and BEF is thrilled to announce the arrival of Peace Corps Volunteer Veronica Swank. Veronica joined the BEF team in September, 2010. She is part of the Peace Corps’ Small Enterprise Development program and will partner with BEF’s local staff in Natitingou, Benin. Veronica received her B.S. in Operations Management from the University of Houston in 2008. Welcome, Veronica!
The International Monetary Fund’s Civic Program recently awarded $10,000 to BEF, which we will use to continue initiatives launched through their donation the previous year. A portion of the funds will provide preventative healthcare, including physical exams and vaccinations, to BEF students. The remainder will cover several medical school scholarships.
A corporate grant coupled with in-kind donations is helping BEF students improve their English - a critical skill in today’s internet age. Students can now access English language learning software purchased through a grant from IBM Community Grants, on laptops provided by BEF board members, using office space donated by a local community member.
BEF would like to thank our other recent corporate and foundation donors: Out of Africa, The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, Am Chai Tzedakah Collective, and the Edelman Foundation. We have also received donations this year via Network for Good, Just Give, and the Google Matching Gift Program.
The invitation went out and the response was heart-warming. Even the raindrops couldn’t keep away our ardent supports and new friends. Held at Tonic at Quigley’s Pharmacy on September 16, 2010, the event gave attendees a chance to mingle with friends, win prizes, learn more about BEF, share their thoughts, and enjoy the evening all while supporting education in Africa. The Happy Hour generated well over $2000 in donations and pledges. In addition to the monetary gifts at least two new potential volunteers have come forward. The Happy Hour was a grand success and big THANK YOU goes out to all who contributed.
On Saturday, August 14th, 2010, Benin Education Fund teamed up with the indie band, Attics, for a fundraiser show in Brooklyn, NYC. There was an open bar from 8-9, and about 50 people attended.
Attics and the venue, Trash Bar, generously offered to donate all cover proceeds to BEF. In addition to the cover, many in attendance made individual donations.
The event raised enough money to support two full high school scholarships (tuition, fees, books, uniform and school supplies).
It was a great evening, with amazing music, for a fantastic cause. Thanks to Attics, Trash Bar, and everyone who came out to support BEF!
Our primary school program funded 4 teachers and delivered supplies to 5 primary schools, benefiting about 475 elementary students.
RESULTS
11 BEF students passed the BAC and graduated from high school.
24 BEF scholars passed the national middle school exam (”BEPC”). BEF’s pass rate was 70%, well above the national pass rate of 55% - evidence that BEF continues to improve our selection of, and support to, our students.
OUR APPROACH
BEF’s main goal is to help high school students graduate and pass the BAC (the French baccalaureate exam). We also support BEF graduates in university and help rural primary schools.
Over the years we have learned that helping high school students graduate requires more than simply paying their school fees. BEF now provides housing for those who must leave their villages to attend school. We arrange preventative health care and treatment, because recurring illnesses are a major barrier to success. We recruit local mentors to advise our students on critical topics like nutrition and wellness, AIDS prevention, and reproductive health. We support special programs that reflect a range of student interests including tutoring, sports, theater, English, technology, and training in business plan development and entrepreneurship.
We identify top students who are in danger of dropping out because their families cannot pay their school fees. We screen applicants carefully and select only those who meet our criteria. We commit to support our scholars until they graduate high school, as long as they maintain good grades. To ensure we can provide the range of support every student needs, we cap the number of scholarship recipients in the program. As students graduate, we accept a limited number of new students through applications and referrals.
On July 16, 2010, friends of BEF met in London for a happy hour fundraiser at Davy’s wine bar. More than 30 people attended and raised $1300 for BEF. Big thanks to the Oxford MBA alumni network in London for supporting the event, and thank you to long-time BEF supporter Julie Wallace for organizing and hosting. The funds will be used to support BEF’s business plan competition.
Launched in 1998, the Benin Education Fund is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides scholarships and educational support to ambitious students in rural West Africa.
The funds helped over 300 families in 39 villages, roughly 2200 individuals. Each family received a share of 18,000 tons of corn and other food products to help alleviate famine, as the flood destroyed many crops, homes and other properties.
On December 5, 2010, in Natitingou, Benin, the Mayor’s office held their annual World AIDS Day Event. World AIDS Day 2010 raised awareness to tackle HIV prejudice and help stop the spread of HIV in Benin.
A local doctor who specializes in treatment of HIV/AIDS patients spoke to students about prevention of HIV/AIDS. During the event students were offered free HIV testing and students from the Lycée de Jeune Fille, an all girl’s boarding school, performed a skit.
Blessedly, most BEF students live outside the worst-affected areas - but they, and we, are anxious to help their fellow citizens in need. Our students have been surveying damage and identifying the greatest material needs, and BEF established a fund for Flood Relief.
Vote by November 15 to help BEF student Nicolas N’Da win $1000 for his business idea! Nicolas is one of BEF’s star students and has long dreamed of running his own farm. A few years ago, Nicholas sought BEF’s help to transfer to a technical school that provides hands-on education in farming, animal husbandry and veterinary care. Nicholas has become an exemplary student. He completed a 4-month internship at the world-renowned Songhai farms, which practice and teach sustainable agriculture. He then earned a prestigious national scholarship to continue his studies at the National Agricultural Institute. Nicolas entered a business plan in the Peace Corps Africa Rural Connect competition and is in 2nd place! You can support him by voting for his project. Visit 
BEF’s partnership with the 
