Plan Benin is promoting healthy practices and campaigning to end violence in schools

Atacora Department

Area: 20,499 sq. km
Population: 645,903 (2008)
Communes: 9
Villages: 384
Sponsored children: Around 4,500

Atacora is located in north-west Benin and the majority of the population lives on agriculture or small trade. The average annual income is estimated at US$1,400 (Source: World Bank 2008). Since 2006, Plan Benin has been working in Atacora together with the children, their families and communities to improve the quality of their life. We also work in partnership with local non-governmental organisations and the government.

Programme highlights

Household food security

In Atacora, Plan Benin works:

• to help households become food secure through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) which allow families to invest and save for the future
• feeding and nutrition support in schools
• purchase  farming tools and equipment

Water and sanitation

Plan Benin helps communities access safe drinking water and practice good hygiene by building boreholes and latrines. Training is also given to ensure community management of the projects.

Health

Our support to the government made it possible to train communities on how to better identify and manage meningitis, an endemic infection. Diagnosis tools and drugs were placed at the disposal of the health centres in Atacora and Donga to assist in the treatment process. In partnership with government support medical staff were  trained to work better with pregnant women to reduce child and maternal health risks.

Palu Alafia

Malaria is rife across Benin. Plan is working in partnership with the Global Fund to fight the disease through artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) - a treatment which is more effective than conventional antimalarial drugs.

Learning

Key elements of this programme include:

• training teachers and other actors involved in education, such as school management committees
• running Plan’s ‘Learn Without Fear’ campaign to end violence in schools
• building, renovating and furnishing classrooms
• promoting healthy practices in school by building latrines, launderettes and hand washing facilities.

Plan Benin has set a goal to strengthen the capacity of 9 municipal councils on the right to participation and protection of children and culture of accountability.

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