Bien que le Bénin ait ratifié et adopté plusieurs conventions sur la protection des droits de la des droits de...
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Global Partnerships
WHO ARE WE
Echelle–Bénin is a non-profit student empowerment organization registered in the Republic of Benin (West Africa). It was founded by a group of Benin citizens, most of whom live in the United States. It is supported by a network of volunteers from around the world.
We strive to be a ladder of success for students and their communities.
With your support, we pledge to:
- Make education attractive to students in Benin to help reduce school dropout rates
- Make education a tool for students in Benin to succeed in life
- Turn education into a tool of prosperity for communities in Benin
Our Goal
“If human beings are perceived as potentials rather than problems, as possessing strengths instead of weaknesses, as unlimited rather than dull and unresponsive, then they thrive and grow to their capabilities.”
— Barbara Bush
What Transformation Do We Want to Create in Benin?
Half the population in Benin still live with less than $2 a day. This is partly due to a large gap between the tools provided by the formal education system and the skills needed by individuals and communities to prosper. Opportunities to transition from school to professional employment are rather scarce, a fact we are committed to change.
Education-Employment Gaps
Only 35% of children in Benin are likely to finish middle school.
Only 7% (4% in rural areas) will graduate from high school.
Only 1 in 10 secondary schools in the public system teach practical knowledge to their students.
The educational curriculum in Benin does not teach values and subjects such as volunteerism, community development, civic engagement, and leadership.
93% of students who get a job after leaving the education system are likely to be employed in the informal sector, with no legal protection, no healthcare coverage, and no retirement plan.
Beninese people who manage to succeed in life rarely organize to give back to their communities, thus perpetuating a cross-generational cycle that holds back individuals and communities.
Meet Our Founders
Ichola Djivede Coovi
Snr. Regional Security Officer
Silvère Tovignan
Associate Professor
Université de Parakou (Benin)
Adiath Baguidi Lokoto
Doctoral Candidate
Université d’Abomey-Calavi (Benin)
Oumarou Abdoulaye Balarabe
Higher Education Scholar
Ohio University (USA)
Léonce Gamaï
Journalist and CEO of Banouto (Benin)
Mountala Ogbe, CPA
Financial Controller
GKN Aerospace St. Louis (USA)
Sètondji Roland Adjovi
Assistant Professor
Arcadia University (USA)
Juste Codjo, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
New Jersey City University (USA)
Echelle-Benin is a Non-Profit Organization based in Benin. We focus on empowering students to succeed in life and get engaged in their communities.
We guide and support our students as they develop projects that address social and environmental problems in their communities.
Latest Blogs
Summer 2020 Excellence Awards
A total of 350 students and 25 teachers to be recognized
Involving 18 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school across several rural communities in Benin.
Fall 2020 Training
August-September: Workshops to train 10 coaches
October: Training of our first student cohort starts. Meetings occur on weekends through the academic year.
