Elavagnon was started in 2007 by Sara Wakild upon her return from serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Benin. Sara wanted to create a more lasting impact in her Beninese home, so she established Elavagnon as a way for her friends and family to support the ongoing work being carried out by her local Beninese counterparts and other Peace Corps Volunteers.

But Elevagnon would not exist if it weren't for Kantos. Kantos was born in the village of Houedogli and has dedicated his life to the betterment of that community. He has worked with scores of Peace Corps Volunteers over the years, teaching them more about sustainable development than any graduate school program ever could. Kantos is Elavagnon's trusted partner on the ground, working tirelessly to see all our programs to successful outcomes. His philosophy is grounded firmly in the belief that it takes a village and only pursues those projects that have delivery positive impact to the community, versus the individual.

And the real reason for Elavagnon's existence: the women and girls of Benin. We've worked with hundreds of women and girls over the years and have developed a network of women who have truly embraced the power they possess to enact meaningful change in their own lives and guarantee a better life for the women who will come behind them. It is for them that we persevere.