Care International made the following statement on the disaster, 21 October 2010 :

“Fifty-one out of 77 communes in the country are affected. Even the floods of 1963, which remain in the memories as the worst disaster that Benin has ever known, did not cause as much destruction as this year’s floods.

“All the elders agree that they have never seen such flooding,” said Rotimy Djossaya, Country Director of CARE Benin. “Yet the information has not resonated in the international community. It seems that despite the extraordinary devastation caused by this year’s floods, people think it is simply the annual flooding season.”

Zones that were previously not considered vulnerable to flooding have been devastated, like the village of Kopto, which was completely wiped away (commune of Zangnanado in the centre of the country). In villages along rivers and lakes, thousands of people continue to live in huts built of fragile material, submerged for weeks under up to two metres of water.

Sanitation is a major concern, and all eyes are trained on the disturbing number of cholera cases that continue to rise. Homeless people have taken refuge in health centres, paralyzing access to medical care in situation that lends itself to a potential outbreak of water-borne disease: latrines are flooded, sending human waste into water used for drinking, cooking and bathing, and people have little or no access to safe drinking water. About 800 cases of cholera have been reported to date, including 51 in Cotonou, and the number is rising daily.”

The march which took place on 12th October, at the beginning of the school year in Benin, aims to put the concerns of the students on the agenda at the local and national level.

This marks an exciting time for APEED as it builds on the existing support it provides to its 120 secondary school students with the opportunity to gain basic computer literacy skills.

More news to come as the computers arrive…!

Barthelemy Sodansou was our excellent host ably assisted by the active members of his APEED committee and local friends and sponsors such as the Head Teacher of the local girls secondary school:

These students who all face family losses and hardship are sponsored by APEED had planned an entertaining & informative event at their Red Cross HQ & Library. This included a welcome song and dance:

A play showing difficulties for some students who having lost parents are having to live with extended families while they try to continue their school studies:

The many seated and actively dancing and performing students are all part of the APEED project.

A very informative active and friendly day was had by everyone and we are most grateful for APEED’s hospitality and friendship.

THANK YOU for YOUR CONTINUED support.
Donate to our current campaign to send 10
refurbished computers to Benin. Help give
the students access to basic computer literacy.
Go to: www.paypal.com and search for us
using: moreschooling.com@gmail.com
(any amount welcome)!

The students of APEED are seeking 10 refurbished computers (sourced through a UK NGO), as a means to gain basic computer literacy. The computers provide an opportunity to be a self sustaining organisation through a revenue stream from non-student paying users. APEED currently suppports 120 high school students to complete their education by partially paying school fees and providing basic school materials. 

APEED’s focus as an organisation is to assist the most needy students in Parakou - students who have lost one or both parents and suffer severe financial hardship - to reach their potential. It supports its students to complete their high school education equipped with valuable work and life skills and to be a future voice in the community for those suffering similar hardships. 

BUDGET
Pentium 4 PC Kit £45 A$70 x 10 = £450/$700
Shipping to Cotonou = £410/$675
Insurance to Cotonou = £40/$65
Carrier Documentation = £65/$107
Security for 1yr = £494 $810
Power for 1yr = £82 $135
Salary for IT teacher 1yr = £494 $810 
TOTAL = £2005/$3294  

BBC journalist, Nick, speaking with students on his trip to Benin

The 120 students of APEED and its supporters celebrated this week as their story was told as part of a BBC World Service Documentary on the people who meet in internet cafes. APEED founder Barth, made connections with supporters as they came into his place of work, an internet café. His goal was support for the students in the completion of their schooling.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/documentaries/2009/12/091217_
internet_cafe_hobe_doc2.shtml

APEED supporter, Corinne and BBC journalist, Nick meet in Fiji

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/documentaries/2010/03/100310_
internet_cafe_hobo_3.shtml

Final Istallment of BBC Story, Nick Meets Anna, Sam & Corinne….read on……!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nick Baker from the BBC World Service has continued his story using internet cafes and the stories of the people he finds in them to guide him across the globe. His trip has taken him to Benin to meet the students of APEED, following a meeting with APEED supporter Anna Obura in Kenya. From Benin Nick travelled to Australia and then Fiji to meet Sam and Corinne who met Barth in an internet cafe in Parakou in 2006. The final installment is currently being aired on BBC World Service and online.

The journey was inspired by Barth Sodanasu and his support for the students in Parakou in completing their schooling by establishing the student collective - APEED. More Schooling, the Australian/UK fundraising arm of APEED is appealing to listeners to support the 120 students of APEED who struggle to continue their schooling due to financial hardship.

If you would like to donate please email: mschooling.benin@gmail.com

BBC journalist, doing interviews in Benin

BBC World Service journalist, Nick Baker, follows the story of APEEDs global network to Australia and Fiji, tracing the connections APEED president Barth has made whilst working in an internet cafe in Parakou in seeking support for APEEDs students. Barth’s networking skills, personality and charm has turned encounters with people in an internet cafe into solid support and long term relationships. Nick was taken by Barth and his success. Rising from a position as a school boy being forced out of school due to financial hardship to helping hundreds of students continue their schooling. Nick’s story the Internet Cafe Hobo can be viewed online parts 1 and 2 of the radio piece are being aired on BBC World Service currently. The third and final installment will be online on March 11th.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/documentaries/2009/12/091217
_internet_cafe_hobe_doc2.shtml

The attached pdf is a report of the ceremony, as written by the students of APEED.

Book-giving ceremony (Eng)

Book-giving ceremony (French)

For all those who have donated money in the past twelve months, this ceremony is a direct result of those efforts. The money raised at the Beninoise Solidarity Spectactular in Sydney last September provided the funds to support APEED in providing educational materials to its members. A BIG BIG thank you again to everyone who was involved.