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

Details

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  Description

  We are a registered non-profit organisation based in Cotonou, Benin, working to protect and support vulnerable children and women.
  
  Our story began in 2000 as a solidarity group of women supporting mothers facing difficult living conditions. In 2004, the group became an official NGO. In 2008, we created our nursery and daycare centre to provide children with a safe environment, care and early education.
  
  Today, our centre supports children and families through:
  
  nursery, daycare and preschool education;
  
  daily care, meals, hygiene and child protection;
  
  educational support for primary school children;
  
  holiday activities and creative workshops;
  
  support, training and empowerment programmes for women, especially single mothers and young women facing difficult situations.
  
  Our mission is not only to educate children, but also to create a supportive community where local families, volunteers and partners can work together to build lasting opportunities.
  
  Like many grassroots organisations, our main challenge is ensuring the long-term sustainability of our activities. Affordable school fees allow vulnerable families to access our services, but they cannot cover all our needs. We therefore depend on the commitment of people who believe in our mission and are willing to help us develop resources, partnerships and visibility.
  
  For this reason, we welcome volunteers who want to become more than temporary helpers. We are looking for people ready to share their skills, ideas, networks and creativity to strengthen our project.
  
  Depending on their abilities, volunteers can contribute through communication, fundraising support, partnership development, educational activities, creative projects or other initiatives that help our centre grow.
  
  Joining us means becoming part of a local initiative and helping create a sustainable future 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

  Creative DIY projects

  Babysitting and creative play

  Light 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

  We are looking for volunteers who want to contribute to the development and sustainability of our NGO while experiencing the daily life of our centre.
  
  Our volunteers are welcomed into our activities with children and our community life. Spending time with the children helps them better understand our mission, our challenges and the impact of our work.
  
  At the same time, we are looking for people who are willing to actively contribute to the long-term sustainability of the project.
  
  🔹 Resource mobilisation & fundraising support (PRIORITY AREA)
  
  Our main expectation is that volunteers help us create real opportunities to strengthen our project.
  
  This can include:
  
  Creating or supporting realistic fundraising actions;
  
  Mobilising personal, professional or community networks;
  
  Sharing our mission with potential supporters who may genuinely connect with our cause;
  
  Helping collect financial support, educational materials or useful resources;
  
  Following up on contacts and opportunities created during the stay;
  
  Helping develop sustainable partnerships.
  
  We value concrete actions and commitment more than simple lists of ideas. The goal is not only to suggest possibilities, but to help create real opportunities that can continue after the volunteer leaves.
  
  🔹 Activities with children and educational support
  
  Volunteers participate in the daily life of the centre and can support:
  
  Educational activities with children;
  
  Creative workshops, games and cultural activities;
  
  Language practice through play and conversation;
  
  Reading, storytelling and learning activities;
  
  Holiday activities and special projects.
  
  These moments with children are an important part of the experience because they allow volunteers to understand our reality, discover the needs of the centre and share our story with greater authenticity.
  
  🔹 Communication & visibility
  
  Depending on their skills, volunteers can also support:
  
  Photos, videos and storytelling about our activities;
  
  Social media content creation;
  
  Improving our online visibility;
  
  Preparing communication materials for partners and supporters.
  
  🔹 Community and creative projects
  
  Volunteers may also contribute to:
  
  Women empowerment activities;
  
  Recycling and creative projects;
  
  Environmental initiatives;
  
  Ideas that improve the daily life of the centre.
  
  We are looking for volunteers who want to be active members of our community, not only during their stay but also by helping create connections and opportunities that continue afterwards.

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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

  Volunteers stay in simple, private, well-ventilated rooms within or close to our centre. Bathrooms and some living spaces are shared.
  
  Meals are prepared with fresh local ingredients, offering volunteers the chance to discover Beninese cuisine and enjoy everyday life with our community.
  
  Our centre is located in Kouhounou, one of Cotonou's best-connected neighbourhoods, just a few minutes' walk from the Friendship Stadium (Stade de l'Amitié Général Mathieu Kérékou). We are approximately 20 minutes from Cotonou International Airport and 20 minutes from the beach, making it easy to explore the city during your free time.
  
  Banks, ATMs, supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants and public transport are all available nearby, making daily life convenient while living in an authentic local community.
  
  Our accommodation is comfortable but modest, reflecting the reality of a grassroots community organisation.
  
  Providing accommodation and meals represents a significant investment for our NGO. We are pleased to offer them because we consider our volunteers to be part of our community. In return, we hope they will fully embrace the spirit of our project by contributing not only through their daily involvement with the children, but also by helping strengthen the long-term sustainability of our centre through resource mobilisation, fundraising initiatives, partnerships or awareness-raising.

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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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