• Domaine :

  Water

• Région :

  Africa

• Pays :

  Benin

The project:

The digging of a well equipped with a motor pump to ensure year round irrigation of a garden along with a drinking water supply, setting up a protein and vitamin garden for children aged 0-5 years old, a bush village for the commune of Grand Popo in Benin (West Africa)

The request:

April 12, 2016

Dear Ms. Fatima and Mr. Gagnon,

On behalf of the of the Canadian charitable organization Benin Healthy Children (num 80 307 1695 RR001), we would like to request financial support for the digging of a well equipped with a motor pump and to start a protein and vitamin garden in the town of Grand Popo in Benin. The Canadian NGO, Benin Healthy Children will manage the project. The requested amount is $1,900.
In light of the progress made last year, we have decided to make a new funding request. Indeed several young children were able to benefit from the garden’s products and nearby drinking water, even during the drought period. 16% of children in Benin die before the age of 5 and 43% suffer from chronic malnutrition. The women’s team has gained great autonomy and confidence in their abilities. Also, the educational program has proved its effectiveness in teaching principles of sound nutrition. Furthermore, the people hired to dig the well have proven their excellent skills. The material was adequate and they respected the budget and deadlines. This is our fourth successful dig, and there remains around 20 wells and gardens to set up in order to serve the poorest villages. Your financial collaboration for establishing a garden and a well would be much appreciated. 

Thank you,

Louise Leduc
President of Benin Healthy Children

Relevance of the project:
Field work began 12 years ago with Ms. Leduc, the teacher supervising nursing students in Benin. Her PhD in public health from the University of Montreal and her extensive network of contacts allowed her to meet with Beninese doctors and establish an NGO in Grand Popo. The NGO carries out clinical exams and follow ups for approximately 1,000 children each mission (2 per year). Our goal is to reduce the child morbidity and mortality rate and to increase the autonomy of families as well as the health of mother’s in the town of Grand Popo (Benin).
The commune of Grand Popo contains 50 villages, several of which don’t access to have drinking water, causing severe diarrhea for young children and numerous parasitic infections resulting in a high malnutrition rate. A few gardens have been established but the dry season reduces the harvest time and increases the malnutrition rate. The children’s health will be greatly be improved by year round watering and access to drinking water.
Transparency and good governance:
I will be in Benin in June-July 2016 to monitor developments with by Beninese coordinator, who is permanently on site, and a volunteer from the environmental biology program of the University of Montreal. We will be ready to inaugurate the well and garden in July 2016.
Impact:
The digging of this well will drastically change the lives of 400-600 people in this sector who currently live without access to drinking water in. Access to this drinking water will reduce water-related diseases and will allow for year-round irrigation of the garden, which will provide nutrition essential to the health of young children (0 to 5 years old) and pregnant women. These proteins and vitamins ensure the healthy growth of these children and facilitates the development of the nervous system. Green vegetables reduce the level of anemia and provide essential nutrition.
Longevity:
The digging of the well and the setting up of the garden will be ensured by the organization Benin Healthy Children.
Awareness concerning this project will be raised through the activities of volunteer teams in collaboration with the Beninese coordinator, village chiefs, local team leaders and with the voluntary participation of the village populations. The charitable organization will ensure project continuity through fundraising in Canada and Benin.
The Benin Healthy Children Organization is committed to providing photos of the various stages of the well and garden project, as well as photos of their inauguration ceremonies. An annual report will allow you to ascertain the marked improvements in child and population health.
On behalf of the families benefiting from this project, thank you,

Louise Leduc

President of Benin Healthy Children

Tanslated by: Etienne Franchi

Financial contributions: