Support education and child protection while helping us build sustainable funding – Cotonou, Benin

Details

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  Description

  We started our activities in 2000 as a solidarity group of women supporting mothers in distress. In 2004, the group became a registered NGO. We are women facing precarious living conditions who decided to take action to change our lives and improve our environment.
  We are based in Cotonou, the economic capital of Benin, where children and women are among the most vulnerable, in a context of widespread poverty, gender inequality, and limited protection of children’s rights.
  In 2008, we created a nursery and daycare center, offering:
  daily care for children (hygiene, meals, safety),
  early childhood education (nursery and kindergarten),
  tutoring for primary school children,
  holiday activities and camps,
  support and training for women in difficulty, including single mothers and out-of-school girls.
  ⚠️ Important reality
  Our center does not receive any stable funding from the government or institutions. The small school fees paid by families are far from sufficient to cover operating costs. As a result, the sustainability of the center depends largely on donations, fundraising efforts, and external support.
  For us, welcoming volunteers through Workaway is therefore not only about help on site, but also about building long-term sustainability for the children and women we support.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  DIY and building projects

  Babysitting and creative play

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Interests

  

  Sustainability

  

  Farming

  

  Events & social

  

  Culture

  

  Charity work

  

  Gardening

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Nature

  

  Dancing

  

  Beach
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We remain flexible with working hours to allow volunteers to:
  discover Beninese culture,
  enjoy the seaside of Cotonou,
  visit places such as Ouidah, Ganvié, and Dantokpa market,
  participate in local social and cultural life.
  We aim to create a welcoming, respectful, and family-oriented environment.
  “In Benin, the foreigner is king” — hospitality is part of our culture.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  🔹 TYPES OF HELP & LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
  Volunteers support our local team but do not replace permanent staff.
  We are especially looking for volunteers willing to contribute to:
  Fundraising & resource mobilization (essential)
  Communication and visibility (social media, storytelling, campaigns)
  Website creation or improvement
  Support to children (tutoring, creative activities, English, games)
  Environmental improvement and small projects
  Awareness and training activities for adults (depending on skills)
  💡 Volunteers who are motivated to become ambassadors of our cause will have the most meaningful experience here.
  🔹 IMPORTANT – FUNDING & SUSTAINABILITY (KEY SECTION)
  We provide accommodation (ventilated rooms) and meals, which represents a real financial cost for our center — higher than what we are currently able to pay in cash to our permanent local staff.
  For this reason:
  Volunteers are considered as support, not replacements.
  Fundraising, visibility, or resource mobilization is an essential part of the volunteer mission.
  Long-term stays are only possible if they contribute to the sustainability of the center.
  This may include:
  launching or supporting online fundraising campaigns,
  mobilizing personal networks,
  seeking partnerships or donors,
  collecting financial or material support,
  helping finance local staff or educational materials.
  Transparency is very important to us, and we prefer to discuss these aspects before confirming a stay.
  🔹 IDEAL VOLUNTEER PROFILES
  🔹 Short stays (2–3 weeks)
  Support activities on site
  Help with visibility or a specific fundraising action
  🔹 Medium stays (1 month)
  Active involvement in fundraising
  Clear objectives discussed in advance
  🔹 Long stays (2–3 months)
  ⚠️ Specific conditions apply
  Strong commitment to fundraising or contribution
  Clear agreement on objectives before arrival

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  French: Fluent
  English: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  We offer private ventilated rooms for volunteers.
  Some common areas such as bathrooms and shared spaces are communal.
  Volunteers also have access to the kitchen, and meals are prepared using local products (rice, beans, pasta, yams, vegetables, fish, fruits, etc.).
  ⚠️ As accommodation and food are provided, volunteers are expected to contribute to the sustainability of the project through fundraising or resource mobilization.

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  What else ...

  🔹 FINAL MESSAGE TO VOLUNTEERS
  Workaway is for us a tool to build sustainability, not only to receive help.
  Volunteers who understand this reality and are willing to engage beyond daily activities will find here a deeply meaningful, honest, and impactful experience.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This project involves children. Volunteers must respect child protection guidelines and understand that continuity and safety are ensured by local staff.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

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