NewHopeBenin

History
Albert Zankpo lives in Lokossa, an Aja speaking area that borders Togo. For work, Albert often travels to the capital Cotonou. In 2001, while there he met and worked alongside the Rowland family, volunteers serving with the MercyShip Anastasis, a hospital ship providing free medical care.  As their friendship developed, Albert brought the Rowlands to visit his home village and church, a humble building made of sticks and dirt. He explained his deep concern for the future of the children in the congregation and the broader Lokossa community. He saw education as an essential answer, and requested their help in meeting this need.

Seeing the great potential to make a concrete and significant impact, the Rowlands were ready to respond. To ensure their donations would have the necessary structure and accountability, they asked Albert to provide more details for the education project. Albert took this opportunity for his community seriously. In 2003, he sent a proposal for Project New Hope, outlining his vision to provide 75 deprived children with primary school education at local public schools.

Receiving the proposal, the Rowlands took their opportunity to assist seriously as well. With the help of a few friends, they provided the initial funding to see the project launched. Under Albert’s leadership, New Hope began supporting 75 students who had never before had the chance to attend school because their families were too poor to pay the $10 annual fee.

As the children embraced this opportunity, families also responded. A group of mothers even began meeting weekly to pray for their children and schools. It was clear that the education project had the potential for much broader community impact and development, a mission that fell in line with Women’s Enterprises International, a charitable organization working in Africa to equip women to overcome poverty.

In the project’s second year, Women’s Enterprises International began a partnership with Albert to provide 125 scholarships. In years three and four the program grew to provide 225 scholarships for girls and boys. This support included school fees, uniforms and school supplies.

As of January 2009, 222 of the 225 primary students are still in school and the overwhelming majority of them (96%) are earning passing grades. Sixty percent of the New Hope students are girls, a significant achievement considering that, according to net primary enrollment rates, nearly half of the female school-aged population is denied the right to education.

Recently Benin made strides with education by abolishing school fees for primary school students. This accomplishment has enabled New Hope to expand its scholarship opportunities and support 119 students to attend secondary school. Since only 30% of boys and 14% of girls are able to attend secondary school, this is an exciting next step for the project. Primary school students in need still receive support for their uniforms, books and supplies.