Because a few dollars should not limit a child’s potential
Did you know?
40%+
of people in Benin live below the poverty line
$150
is the minimum cost per year for high school in Benin
50%+
of students can’t pay and are forced to drop out - even if they are earning top grades
Our Approach
We partner with schools and community members to identify top students at risk of dropping out. Most are orphans or their parents are subsistence farmers. At least 50% of our scholars are girls. We commit to support each student through graduation as long as they earn good grades. We tailor support to their needs: school fees, books, supplies, housing (some students must leave villages to attend school) and healthcare. We offer mentoring, career counseling, training in entrepreneurship, and more!
What Our Students Are Saying
“I was born to a poor family - the youngest of 5 children and the only one to receive an education. Before I joined the BEF program, my parents did not have the money to pay my school fees and the school sent me home almost every month. I barely kept up with my classes. My hope was completely gone. But with BEF’s help, I finished middle school and continued to high school. BEF has made me an intellectual! And will help me realize my dream of practicing medicine. I hope to save lives in Africa and throughout the world. I smile again at life because with BEF’s help, I am re-building myself and I have the will and determination to go very far.”
— Brigitte
When I was 4, my father abandoned the family. My mother had to be resourceful to feed all of us and register us for school though her income was just a few dollars a day. We helped her by doing odd jobs. Even with these efforts, we barely managed to eat twice a day and, at times, only once a day. I started primary school when I was 5 and was passionate and worked hard. I was always first in my class and continued to secondary school with help from other family members. I dreamed of lifting my family out of their precarious existence. By the grace of God, I learned about BEF. I like studying and am willing to put my whole self into it. Given my passion for math, physics, and chemistry, I pursued the scientific track. I worked hard my whole life and was always at the top of my class, which helped me earn a scholarship to attend McGill University in Canada. My ambition is to earn my degree and help my family escape poverty.
— Ousmane
"I thank you infinitely for the help you've given me with my education. I will truly appreciate this gift all my life because I better understand the value of education and what that can bring to someone like me. When I think about what my life would have been without an education.... when I look around me I see so many young people in that situation, which I would have been in without your help. I feel so lucky and privileged. Now my dreams are diverse and I allow myself to dream because I am equipped with the tools to confront the world. I hope that a few years from now I will be in university. I understand now exactly why [BEF Founder] Alphonse is such an advocate for education. Each year, I gain more confidence in myself and my ability to succeed. The trip which once seemed so long has become short, because in just a few years I will finish high school. I never imagined I would be at this point. Never!
— Djouma
About Our Founder
Our founder, Alphonse Kouagou, grew up like many of the kids that we help, in a rural area in one of the poorest parts of Benin. Alphonse received an opportunity to go to school and continue his education, but he realizes that access to education is not the case for most of the kids in that area. His goal is to make it easier for the generations after him to be able to get a good education and not have to go through the same struggles he endured.
Why We Do What We Do
Do you think it's fair that a few dollars can be the difference between a brilliant, hard-working girl staying in school or dropping out forever? Or that parents have to choose between feeding their child and sending her to school? We don't! BEF provides scholarships, educational support, and job training to underprivileged but highly motivated girls (and some boys) so they can stay in school, graduate and get jobs. Our board covers admin costs so 100% of donations directly support our programs.
Learn How You Can Help
Every little bit helps whether it is donations or volunteers. Please check out all of the ways you can help us grow and support our organization.
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions or learn how to help us!
US Office
4110 Bennett Drive
Annandale, VA 22003
(571) 326-2907
Benin Office
Benin Education Fund
B.P. 676 Natitingou, Benin
Quartier Boriyoure (CEG2)
Tel: (229) 23 03 02 13; (229) 90 93 42 59