RESPECT Benin

Bérengère Cortade

RESPECT Benin was founded in November 2002 following the meeting on the internet of Marc Schaeffer, International Coordinator for RESPECT and Laurent Houngnibo. Like all the other RESPECT affiliates, the mission of the Beninese office is to bring to the refugees living in the country support and assistance for their "cultural and educational development", explained Laurent Houngnibo, RESPECT Benin current Coordinator.

When we asked him what were his motivations for joining RESPECT, Laurent explained:

"My motivations are not only humanitarian but they are also linked to my convictions and ambitions. As an African I cannot stay indifferent to the precarious situation lived by young people like me because of their leaders and of nature. I was aware that what happen to them could also happen to me at anytime. No one deliberately chooses to be a refugee! I had to, as a currently free man, contribute to the development of my fellows."

"My other motivation is [...] linked to my ambitions and convictions. Since my childhood I have always been interested in international relationship and associative life and have studied consequently. To work with refugees through RESPECT was for me the opportunity to satisfy my desires. This is why I have jumped on the occasion offered by Marc."

As Coordinator, Laurent is responsible for all activities undertaken locally. He takes his role very seriously, to the point of paying with his own money for the shipping of the letters that are part of the RESPECT International programme, RESPECT Benin having no funds at the moment.

This actually explains that today, the main support provided to the refugees by the local team is mainly moral. The team also helps the student refugees with their lessons in order to assist them in their school success. For these refugees, "the situation [...] is really precarious", explains Laurent. "[...]The real problem at their level is the lack of business initiative. This is why we are currently fighting to offer them a training seminar on the subject and to help them find partners who could finance them."

As in too many other countries, the refugees in Benin need all the help we can offer them. RESPECT Benin contributes to this help, despite very limited financial resources through dedicated men and women.