Benin Orphanage

The orphanage is located in Lokossa, Benin, West Africa.  

The orphanage is currently home to 56 children, all of whom are either orphaned or abandoned.  

There on no beds, so they sleep on the ground.  Since our visit in 2009 each child and volunteer received a hand-made quilt, which at least gives a bit of padding between them and the ground.

We've also been able to supply mosquito nets!  This drastically lowers the chance of the children contracting malaria.

 The orphanage was built on public property and in less than 2 years they will be forced to move.  However, the mayor has donated a parcel of land outside of Lokossa specifically for the Providence Orphanage.  This new parcel of land is where the cement enclosure has been constructed.  There is a school nearby, there is a community well with drinking water within close proximity and there is access to electricity.  There is also a garden on the property for growing their own beans.  

So, since the new cement enclosure is now complete, thanks to many generous donations, we've set a new goal.  Before the children are forced to move in 2 years, we are hoping to build a cement dormitory within the new enclosure on the new property.  The dormitories at their current location are built with sticks and clay with a thin layer of cement to hold it together.  Though the rain has eroded the cement and the rooms leak whenever it rains.  Also, it is poorly ventilated, so in the dry season the children sleep with the doors open, and already several children have been bitten by snakes while sleeping and required medical attention.  They are also very small rooms, with 14-18 boys and girls sleeping inside.  Our hope is to build solid, spacious, cement dormitories that will last for years to come.