Benin – May 10-29, 2016

(open to students only and this project is run in partnership with Power to Change Students)

The United Nations has stated that on a global basis “every 21 seconds, a child dies as a result of water related disease”. This fact is painfully evident in the country of Benin. Water sources are scarce and what is drawn from the sloughs and swamps is most often dirty and filled with disease.

As a result, we saw this need and began drilling water wells in 2004, actively providing clean water to people in the region.

Today, we have provided over 749 productive wells in Benin and 1 in 20 people in Benin drink clean water from a deep capped well drilled by GAiN. By providing deep-capped water wells right in the heart of the villages, GAiN is helping to break the cycle of disease and death that devastates much of the developing world.

As we prepare to provide a new well in a community, doors are opened to serve the needs of the community in many ways.

In May, a team of university students will depart Canada and travel to Cotonou, the capital city of Benin. The team will be staying in GAiN accommodations which house both the GAiN Benin office as well as guest quarters. 

The project will kick off with an orientation and training time to prepare team members for their three weeks in Benin. This orientation will include team building activities, culture awareness training, how to share their personal life story, meeting and hearing from the GAiN Benin staff as well as seeing first-hand how new wells are provided through GAiN’s Water for Life Initiative. 

Through the rest of project, the team will work together to:

• construct a church building for the new church plant in partnership with the JESUS Film Church Planting Strategy
• build and pour well pads for newly drilled wells
• help host a hygiene and sanitation training session in local villages and schools
• meet villages families and participate in village chores
• work alongside a local pastor and show the JESUS Film
• help local Athletes in Action staff host children’s activities in villages
• partner with DRIME Benin to tell the story of the man in white

The team will also have a chance to experience the culture of Benin through team outings and attending church on the weekends. The project will conclude with a time of debrief and preparing to effectively share your experience back in Canada. 

Many villagers in Benin desire an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and regain their health and dignity. 

Clean water is the catalyst to see transformation. 

Can you help this transformation take place?

 

Join us...

TRIP DETAILS

Date: May 10-29, 2016
Location: Benin, Africa
Team: multi-purpose trip open to university students 
Cost: $4,750 (includes airfare, accommodations, transport in-country, translators in-country, meals, project materials and travel insurance (vaccinations are not included))
Application deadline: January 31, 2016

Note: vaccinations and spending money is not included in the project budget

 

To some pictures from last year's project, click here.

 

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