Benin, with a population of 12.12 million (2020), is
situated in West Africa with Ghana to its east, Nigeria to its west, Burkina Faso to its north-west and Niger to its north. It's acknowledged as a stable democracy with strong civil
values however, like many other countries in West
Africa, its resources and infrastructure are under
developed and corruption is rife. Unlike many other
countries in Africa, there are few child sponsor
programs in Benin, however there remain real issues with
children living in poverty, subject to trafficking and
sexual exploitation as well as abandonment. Benin is in 158th place out of 189 countries and territories in 2019 in terms of life expectancy, literacy, access to knowledge and living standards of
a country putting the country in the low human development category. Although there has been some economic progress in recent years, millions remain poor and, in the northern areas of the country, extreme poverty and limited access to health services is widespread. Life expectancy is 61.77 years (2019).
Nearly 50% of the population of Benin is aged 15 years and children have little status with many being trafficked to nearby countries
where they often end up in domestic servitude, agriculture, cotton plantations
or selling goods on the street. Some end up labouring in quarries while others work in the diamond mines of Angola. Given that 40% of all children in Benin have no
birth certificate, they have no official identity or nationality making this
practice easier to take place. For a child living in rural areas,
even when not trafficked, they are often sent to family or friends in urban areas
with a promise of a better life and education but end up just working, often in
poor conditions. Many simply walk away and end up on the streets. It is estimated that some 45% of the child population in Benin
is engaged in child labour. Many other children are accused of witchcraft.
Child sponsor programs in Benin
work with children who have been abandoned because of traditional beliefs; a
belief that if a mother dies in childbirth or the child has a disability it is
evil and should therefore be abandoned or even have its life ended. Other
programs include child access to education, health resources, nutrition as well
as preventing children being trafficked. You can help when you sponsor a
child in Benin.
Child Sponsor Benin: SOS Children's Villages
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Child Sponsor Benin: Volunteer in Benin
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