Presented by Rev César AHOUANTCHEDE Executive Director of the NGO Espoir de la Famille (Family Hope)

Tel : (229) 97 44 82 71/ 97088544 E mail : espoir_delafamille@yahoo.fr Web : www.espoirdelafamille.org

Contribution to improving the health of vulnerable populations of Benin: case of the region of OUEME

1- Introduction

2-Espoir de la famille (Family Hope)

3-Various causes of extreme poverty among oueme women

4-Strategy of EPFONG to end extreme poverty

5-Impacts of our actions on the beneficiaries

6- lessons learnt

7-Conclusion

Benin is a developing country situated in west Africa, its surface is 114 763 Km2 with a population of 10. 321. 000 inhabitants.

Benin has 12 regions .This presentation emphasizes on the region of oueme . Located in south east Benin , oueme hosts a population of 1.8M , among whom 52% are women . 85 % of them are illiterates and live with an income of less than one dollar a day.

Espoir de la Famille is a faith based

organization created in the Republic of Benin on the 30 March 1998.

It is an institution of support for the promotion of reproductive health , for the struggle against poverty and for the community development.

No limitation of birth ( six to ten children per woman

The weight of the socio-economic impact of HIV

Low income: less than 01 US dollar per day

Absence of drinking water and electricity

No schooling of children

Ignorance on the main causes of certain diseases

In addition to poverty caused by HIV there is a lack of sanitary infrastructure Due to poverty and ignorance: The water of some lagoons is used for bathing, dish-washing , toilet and also drinking

1- Reinforce the economic power of women through income-generating activities

2-Promote family planning

3- Educate and sensitize women on preventive mesures to fight against major local diseases

5- Research sponsors for the schooling of children

6- Promote solar energy and drinking water

Women training program Sensibilization program

with the support of our partners we have 02 programs :

Individual or women grouped micro-credit

Grouped micro-credit :

We regroup women based on there skills

- One group that make cassava root in to GARI

- One group who make soap

- One group who breed animals

-One group who make and promote Moringa

Before After

Sensibilization on HIV/AIDS

Sensibilization on malaria

With the financial support of the ministry of family

With the financial support of Oréh- conseil

Many homes benefited of cheap solar energy

Provision of drinking water by financial support of ETM

- Birth control became a reality -With Increasing purchase power of poor women: Taking at least 02 meals a day, schooling of the children, access to healthcare also became a reality

The success of income-generating activities programs for poor women dependent on accompanying measures such as: - Information and sensibilization programs on the various aspects of life . - Water sanitation - Patronaging of children - Providing lower cost electricity - etc

Together Christians can fight against extreme poverty with : - Prayers - Donations - Founding of micro-projects for incomes generatives activities - The patronaging of children or poor families

MANY THANKS FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION

Presented by : Rev César AHOUANTCHEDE

Executif Director of the NGO Espoir de la Famille (Family Hope)

Tel : (229) 97 44 82 71/ 97088544

E mail : espoir_delafamille@yahoo.fr Web : www.espoirdelafamille.org