This took a lot longer than I had hoped, but at least it finally worked. I’ve been working on a project proposal through the Peace Corps to have latrines built at a nearby high school. The school itself has just been constructed and has three classrooms (made out of some cement blocks and tin roofs) and so they are in need of anything that they can get their hands on. The project would install four latrines (two units with two latrines each) and if properly maintained, could be used for a very long time. Currently there are only 140 (maximum) students at this school, but in the following two to three years this number will easily be tripled since primary school is paid for by the government (meaning more students will be eligible to move to the ‘high school’ level, which most families would be willing to pay for at least the first cycle).
Through the mayor’s office I met this guy named Thomas, who actually isn’t a Djakotomey native, but who has a non-governmental organization whose mission is to help develop parts of Benin, starting with hygiene-related projects. Therefore, his NGO will be putting up 10% of the total costs of the project, 15% (and probably more) will be funded through community contributions of labor and materials, and the remaining 75% will hopefully be funded through your generosity.
It is pretty obvious why I hoped this would go up before the holiday season, but due to things that are out of my control it took much longer. I have detailed information regarding timeline (it should take four weeks from whenever we start construction), budget, and post-construction sessions and such if you’d like to see it.
I’m not gonna lie. During the process of trying to get this project online I stopped myself numerous times wondering if this is worthwhile or not. I’ve seen countless half-finished buildings, schools, and other ‘construction projects’ from other organizations, that I was really hesitant. But in the end, the side of me that hopes for a safer, cleaner, and healthier environment for students and the greater community won the battle.
My promise to you is that when these latrines are built I will have an opening ceremony with a session on safe, hygienic practices, detailing why latrines are necessary. For the following three months, there will be monthly sessions (one time each month) on hand-washing (when, how, and why) and safe water practices. When I say ‘we’ I mean me and my ‘Amour et Vie’ (love and life) team which sole purpose is to educate the masses on such themes, as well as, malaria, AIDS/HIV prevention, and other related topics.
So, if you feel so inclined, please follow the link below and send over some money! Every little bit counts. Since the Peace Corps will not specify donated amounts and/or donor information, if you decide to donate anything please email me at Dennischon@gmail.com and let me know that you contributed (you don’t have to tell me how much). Please include your current mailing address so that I can send you a personalized thank you note (I would say card, but I might be making these things by hand)! Thanks in advance!
Through the mayor’s office I met this guy named Thomas, who actually isn’t a Djakotomey native, but who has a non-governmental organization whose mission is to help develop parts of Benin, starting with hygiene-related projects. Therefore, his NGO will be putting up 10% of the total costs of the project, 15% (and probably more) will be funded through community contributions of labor and materials, and the remaining 75% will hopefully be funded through your generosity.
It is pretty obvious why I hoped this would go up before the holiday season, but due to things that are out of my control it took much longer. I have detailed information regarding timeline (it should take four weeks from whenever we start construction), budget, and post-construction sessions and such if you’d like to see it.
I’m not gonna lie. During the process of trying to get this project online I stopped myself numerous times wondering if this is worthwhile or not. I’ve seen countless half-finished buildings, schools, and other ‘construction projects’ from other organizations, that I was really hesitant. But in the end, the side of me that hopes for a safer, cleaner, and healthier environment for students and the greater community won the battle.
My promise to you is that when these latrines are built I will have an opening ceremony with a session on safe, hygienic practices, detailing why latrines are necessary. For the following three months, there will be monthly sessions (one time each month) on hand-washing (when, how, and why) and safe water practices. When I say ‘we’ I mean me and my ‘Amour et Vie’ (love and life) team which sole purpose is to educate the masses on such themes, as well as, malaria, AIDS/HIV prevention, and other related topics.
So, if you feel so inclined, please follow the link below and send over some money! Every little bit counts. Since the Peace Corps will not specify donated amounts and/or donor information, if you decide to donate anything please email me at Dennischon@gmail.com and let me know that you contributed (you don’t have to tell me how much). Please include your current mailing address so that I can send you a personalized thank you note (I would say card, but I might be making these things by hand)! Thanks in advance!
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