Project: Girls' Dormitory

A typical teenage girl living around rural Beninese villages may start her day at sunrise by fetching water (carried long distances on her head), preparing the family meal, or performing other domestic chores. She may have a long walk to get to the only high school in the area. At midday, she'll make the return trip home for lunch because she's expected to prepare it for the family or she doesn't have the money to buy it from a vendor near school. She'll walk back for her afternoon classes and return home in the evening where she'll be expected to continue her contributions to running the household. If she has time to do her homework before falling asleep exhausted, she'll do it by the light from a kerosene lantern.

In Benin, just getting to school is a challenge, often more so for girls. Being able to dedicate oneself to academics is a luxury few in rural communities can afford.

Our goal, therefore, is to build and manage a dormitory where local girls can stay during the school year so they can concentrate on their studies in a safe and supportive environment. The dormitory will also house the girls' library we started in 2005.

With donors' support, we have already purchased the land where to dormitory will one day stand. Our plan is to build over time as funding is available, starting next with a fence around the property. A formal business plan is under development and will be available through this website.