Welcome to the number one site for information on Peace Corps Benin! If you want to volunteer in Benin, this is the perfect website for you. We will share the history of Peace Corps in Benin. We will also describe what Benin is like as a country. You can learn about the languages used there. You can also read about other volunteers’ time in Benin. Here you can find information about safety and health. We will also give ways to contact former Peace Corps volunteers who served in Benin. Get ready to find lots of useful information to help you decide if volunteering in Benin is right for you!
Volunteers in Benin work on projects in Agriculture, Education, and Health (leave in May).
What is the History of Peace Corps in Benin?
The Peace Corps has been working in Benin since 1968. Volunteers have made big contributions in areas like education, health, agriculture, and community development. Over 2000 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Benin. The volunteers help teach subjects like English, math, and science, and they also train teachers and create new lesson plans.
- In health, volunteers focus on teaching about things like HIV/AIDS prevention, keeping mothers and children healthy, and the importance of hygiene and good nutrition. They also help out at local health clinics and work on community health projects.
- In agriculture, volunteers team up with farmers to improve how they grow crops and take care of their land. They teach new techniques and help farmers use technology to get better yields.
- Volunteers also work on community projects like fixing up buildings, helping start small businesses, empowering women, and creating programs for young people.
Overall, the Peace Corps has helped Benin by working together with locals to solve problems and build a better future for everyone.
What about Benin as a nation?
Benin is a country in West Africa that got its independence from France in 1960. It’s a diverse place with different kinds of landscapes like forests, savannas, and coastal plains near the Gulf of Guinea.
In Benin, there are many different groups of people who all have their own languages, music, and food. Even though French is the main language, lots of other languages are spoken there too.
Most people in Benin work in farming, trading, or providing services. They grow crops like cotton, corn, and yams, and because Benin is by the ocean, it’s a good place for trading with other countries.
Benin has been working hard to improve things like roads, schools, and hospitals, but there are still challenges like not having enough jobs or money for everyone. Despite this, the people of Benin are determined to make their country even better.
What languages do they speak in Benin?
The official language of Benin is French, which was inherited from its colonial past under French rule. However, there are also many indigenous languages spoken throughout the country. These languages vary depending on the ethnic group and region but include languages such as Fon, Yoruba, Bariba, and Dendi, among others.
During their service in Benin, Volunteers learn to speak local languages, including Bariba, Ditamari, Dendi, Fon, French, Mahi, Adja, Kotokoli, and Lokpa.
How safe is it serve as a volunteer in Benin?
In general, 89% of volunteers felt safe or very safe where they lived in Benin. And 92% felt safe or very safe where they worked. 13% of volunteers early terminated mostly due to resignations and medical. But more detailed information about safety compared to other Peace Corps countries can be found in the Benin Country Crime Profile.
Most of the medical problems seen in Benin are also found in the United States, such as colds, diarrhea, skin infections, headaches, minor injuries, sexually transmitted infections, adjustment disorders, and emotional problems. For Volunteers, these problems may be more frequent or compounded by life in Benin because local factors raise the risk of or exacerbate the severity of certain illnesses.
The medical problems specific to Benin are:
- typhoid, cholera, polio, meningitis, Hepatitis A and B, rabies, amoebic dysentery
- diarrhea, skin infections, dental problems, headaches, respiratory infections, minor injuries
- HIV/AIDS, and STIs
Health problems also can result from local environmental factors, such as dust, humidity, insects, and disease-producing microorganisms. Because malaria is endemic in Benin, Volunteers are required to take anti-malarial medication.
But more detailed information about health related issues at Peace Corps Benin can be found in the Benin Health and Medical Care Summary.
What do volunteers think of serving in Benin?
Since 1975, the Annual Volunteer Survey has been a source of information on the state of the Peace Corps (PC) program for the agency, Congress, researchers, the media, and the general public. In 2019, 91% of volunteers found their overall Peace Corps service rewarding or very rewarding. 85% of volunteers would still make the same decision to serve with the Peace Corps today. 86% of volunteers would recommend Peace Corps service to others. More information can be found in the Benin Annual Volunteer Survey Satisfaction Results.
Where can I learn more about PC Benin volunteer experiences?
PCV blogs and YouTube channels offer a unique look into the daily life of volunteers serving in Benin. These blogs and channels can help you understand the challenges and triumphs that come with being a volunteer. Explore these links for inspiring stories and practical advice from current and past volunteers.
Blog and YouTube Channel Links:
How can I connect with Returned PCVs who served in Benin?
If you’re interested in learning more about serving in Benin, I’ve got you covered! Click here to see all of my posts about Peace Corps Benin with details on the experience, culture, food, packing tips, and more.
Where can I find official information about Peace Corps Benin?
- PeaceCorps.gov/Benin
- Projects in Benin
- Stories from Benin
- Preparing to Volunteer
- Living Conditions
- Training
- Health
- Safety and Security
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Packing Guidance
This is an old PC publication called “The Peace Corps Welcomes You to Benin“, published in 2013. In the past, before the internet, this is how volunteers learned more about Benin. Even though it is many years old, there is still a lot of good information there. You can download it here but remember it is just for informational purposes. For up-to-date information, always check with you Peace Corps contacts and staff.
Conclusion:
This blog post gave you lots of useful information to help decide if Benin is a good place for you to volunteer. You learned about Guyanese culture, languages, and development. We discussed important safety and health considerations for volunteers too. Also, we provided ways to contact former Peace Corps volunteers who served in Benin. To get more information about Peace Corps Benin, visit their website or explore the resources provided here. We hope this post has aided your search for information about volunteering with Peace Corps in Benin!
The content of this post does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or the Benin Government.
