Bras Ouverts - Open Arms

We're on our way to reaching our fundraising goal - a big big thank you to everyone who has helped get us started! This holiday season, please consider contributing just a few dollars a month to our givebutter, which is our monthly school sustainability fund.

Created by and for the community it serves, this school fills such a critical gap. It provides opportunities to children who lack access to the local education system, from the children of refugees fleeing colonial violence to locals who can't afford the uniforms and school materials required to attend public schools. Every dollar you give goes directly to the project - we have zero overhead costs aside from money transfer fees.

https://givebutter.com/VpP9oV?fbclid=IwAR2c0fgoGSQJXXHsPgqiM0-yNIf0vkZiwOrlXHxZ5ZXcNFnEVsZlTkS3LE8

In the time since you last heard from us (it's been a while!) Peace Academy has continued to provide full time, quality education to children who would otherwise lack the opportunity to go to school. Remedy, Peace Academy's founder, shows up every day to give the children in his community the chance to learn. The school has been operating without any income, which has meant Remedy working unpaid and struggling to supply the school with the basic supplies it needs.

We are looking for donors who can sustain Peace Academy's work. With a total of just $200 in monthly donations, we can cover all of the school's financial needs, including providing Remedy with a salary!

Please consider signing up to be a monthly donor. Even a small amount of U.S. dollars goes a long way in Benin, so any amount will make a substantial impact on the lives of the Peace Academy community. https://givebutter.com/VpP9oV

With the women's association NONVIGNON

Thank you very much to Shannon Lockwood for designing this awesome logo for our partner, the women's association Nonvignon, which is located in Pahou. We have been doing women's rights trainings with Nonvignon and look forward to future activities!

The BOOA team has been meeting with an amazing group of women in Pahou called Nonvignon. Their organization provides aid to its members through microfinance, mediation in domestic disputes, and other forms of financial and emotional support. We are excited to host women’s rights training sessions with them in a village called Hounhanminde. This summer we are conducting three sessions, with the second taking place this Friday.

The women of Djègbadji, a small lagoon near the ocean in Ouidah, formed a group where they come together to produce and sell salt. The group has created a joint fund to lend money to new female members for start-up costs in salt production. In addition to working toward financial independence, these women offer mediation services for families in various types of domestic disputes. BOOA hopes to work with the women of Djègbadji in the future regarding women’s rights and sustainable solutions!