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We have been working in Benin since 1993, in the south of the country in the districts of Tori-Bossito, Ouidah, Ze, So Ava Allada, Toffo and Kpomasse.
The programme focuses on educational and development schemes on both formal and informal bases. Indeed, outside of the construction and the renovation of schools, our main activities are teacher training courses, adapting the schools to the needs of the local populations, literacy classes, setting up libraries, school gardens and medical visits, as well as reinforcing the role of parent committees.
support for the refugee camps of Kpomassé | Since the Estates General, Aide et Action has provided education for Togo refugees in the three camps of Kpomassé, Comé and Agamé in Benin. |
In partnership with other NGOs, such as Right to Play, UNICEF, HCR or Plan Bénin, the association brings much-needed funds and educational expertise, to secure school sites, train teachers and provide educational materials. The refugees in Benin come from several different countries, Congo Kinshasa, Congo Brazzaville, Nigeria, Rwanda and above all, Togo itself.
Securing shelter and food do not stand as the only problems facing refugees, in particular for the considerable number of children present. In order to help them mature into independent and peaceful adults, we must strive further in creating a less hostile environment through games and school, and making ordinary life in conditions of extreme precariousness possible.
In the Kpomassé camp, the refugees are considered as old settlers. In Comé and Agamé, they are the newly arrived. Aide et Action and UNICEF have already provided aid during their mass exodus from Togo. After the controversial presidential election in April, a contingency plan was developed to accommodate for 75,000 refugees in three camps. In reality, only 22,000 refugees have officially crossed the Benin border (according to HCR of June 10, 2005). The infrastructure in Benin has so far proved sufficient, with school textbooks having been delivered and the salary of supervising personnel to be allocated.
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| Start of the Programme |
1993 |
| Programmes situated in: |
Tori Bossito, Ouidah, Zê, So-Ava, Allada, Kpomassè, Toffo, |
| Number of child beneficiaries |
99 823 |
| Number of paid employees |
37 |
| Location of Offices: |
Lot 1445 Haie-Vive Cotonou |
 
Aide et Action’s focus remains squarely on education. The United Nations, with its numerous agencies, has taken charge of numerous domains, with OMS responsible for health and UNICEF for education.
Unfortunately, the aid has not been proved always sufficient. Aide et Action has therefore reinforced these education infrastructures. After the association decided to lend support, a diagnosis was carried out to evaluate the work potentials of adult refugees. The diagnosis emphasized the pressing needs (such as alphabetisation and professional training) and their potentials (a majority of refugees do have professional skills, but lack the means through which their knowledge and competence could be taught to others). All teachers in camp are refugees. There remains, however, a lack of Spanish, German and science teachers.
UNICEF recently requested the Benin government to allow refugee students pass their final exams of the year, at least before the end of exam administering in September. It is thus a relief that these children will not lose this academic year. All depends now on their own efforts. Two educators from Bénin have been recruited to train refugee teachers with knowledge of the Benin school system. The students will adjust to the various differences in order to participate in the exam. The continuity in education has fostered a new rhythm of life in camp, for the adults too. Since their children are looked after during the day, they could now devote attention to their own future. For the university students, the situation is more delicate. This year has unfortunately been lost, even if some have found jobs in the camp, serving as teachers for the younger kids. Next year, with a bit of luck, the university gates might just be reopen…
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