Tell us how you became integrated into the life of Boukombé?

AMELIE: We lived in a small rural village at the end of the trail. It was the first time ever that volunteers were assigned to the school. Adults and children alike were curious about us and approached us very naturally. We received daily visits from parents and teachers coming to chat with us, find out how the pupils were progressing as days went by, and thanking us for our work. Exchanges were filled with a lot of laughter and emotions!

LAYLA: Children often came to the volunteers’ house and some even invited us to their homes. By the end of our mission, all villagers recognised us and knew who we were!

Class started à 8 o’clock in the morning…

LAYLA: Some of my pupils greeted me every morning to pick up my helmet and the notebooks as soon as I arrived in the school yard on my motorcycle. I started class with writing sessions, alphabet learning and reading lessons. The children were much more awake in the morning than later in the day: many didn’t eat lunch and became tired in the afternoon. So after the lunch break, I organised fun activities: colouring, drawing, collage, discovery of the library…

AMELIE: We devoted the midday break to the preparation of the next morning’s classes. During our off-work time, after 5:00 pm, on Wednesday afternoon and weekends, other NGO members took us for tours in the area, to visit the tribes and admire the magnificent landscapes along the road.

Do you have the feeling that your efforts were fruitful?

AMELIE: I was impressed by the children’s progress in just two weeks. All of them improved their oral and writing skills. Discovering the pleasure of reading was very important for them, and my hope is that it will give them the motivation to stay in school as long as possible.

I’m very much aware that this mission is but a tiny stone in building the huge edifice of education in this region. But little by little, people are growing conscious of the importance of schooling for their children.

LAYLA: Actually, I’d like to go back there, because I believe there are other worthwhile initiatives to be led and other causes to defend.

What stands out the most in your experience?

LAYLA: The children in general. I found them very mature and independent at such a young age (7 to 11 year old). Some of my pupils had to walk several hours early in the morning to be in class at 8 o’clock, and back home in the evening, they helped their parents with field work.

AMELIE: The joie de vivre of the Beninese, their positive attitude, their smiles, in spite of so many difficulties they face in their lives.

And now what?

AMELIE: I have decided to sponsor one of my pupils to help give him the best chance to succeed his school year under good conditions.

LAYLA: We also want to become more engaged with the NGO Les Mille Lucioles who hosted us there. We are currently working with them to organise a literacy project for the women in the village.