Trip to Benin, West Africa (May/June 2008) Part I

Our First Mission Trip

The leadership of Abake's Foundation has spent a little over three weeks in West Africa in the Republic of Benin. We had several objectives in mind before we departed. Despite challenges thrown at us we were very productive in our excursion to Benin.

Through our field research we came to better understand the needs and desires of a diverse range of the population surrounding the southern cities of Benin. Areas in Cotonou, Abomey-Calavi, Porto Novo, Ganvié , and as north as Dassa-Zoumé were explored.

Donation Container Update

Initially, we intended to fully distribute the first container of clothing to the underprivileged, however we were not able to receive it from port before we had prior appointments out of the country.

We have appointed several trusted key people to assist in the follow up of this process on our behalf and we are continually making ourselves aware of the status despite being overseas.
We are currently waiting for the container to be pulled out of port and will be updating the status periodically regardless of the outcome.

The Media of Benin

Abake and Anthony were interviewed several times in both print and television media. They were on both live television and had also been recorded for rebroadcast. The purpose of the Media attention is to firstly introduce our leadership of the foundation and to announce the entrance of our foundation in to the Republic of Benin.

Secondly, to announce the scholarship program on a national level and to promote the official foundation website in order for the prospective applicants to download the official application and become aware of the terms and conditions. Lastly, to help the people of Benin to better understand the vision of our foundation and to help visualize positive changes occurring in their country.

Networking with Local Non-Profits

Additionally, we also had the privilege to meet in person with leadership of several other local non-profit organizations based in Benin with excellent and viable projects for the betterment of their nation.
According to U.S. Department of the Treasury Anti-Terrorist Financing Guidelines: Voluntary Best Practices for U.S.-Based Charities there is a strict guideline that must be followed in order for our foundation to supply aide to an existing foreign NGO which Abake's Foundation adheres to fully before we can assist them in their programs.