The light of hope that brightens the future
Zinvié is a small farming town, about one hour drive away from Cotonou, the capital city of Benin. Except for the capital city, all the other regions, excluding Zinvié, lack electricity supply. Every night after sunset, the local residents have no choice but to live in the dark.
Besides, the local children who study hard for their bright future, study at poorly-equipped schools; particularly, schools that hold afternoon classes between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. have much difficulty as the evening begins. It is the same situation at Zinvié Fandji Primary School, attended by 650 students of six different grades. The school staff drilled holes on the wall to let light in, but the afternoon class students still had to receive education under the dimness of the evening night which begins around 4 p.m.
The Intl. WeLoveU Foundation came to learn of the situation, and made a decision to install solar-based electricity facility at the school; it also decided to provide school supplies for the children who couldn’t afford schoolbags and school stationery.
Twenty members of the WeLoveU branch in Cotonou, Benin, visited Zinvié Fandji Primary School on September 26. The school staff, including the Principal, welcomed the members. The village head and the parents dropped by the school to express their gratitude. The WeLoveU supplied 650 pencils, 1,300 notebooks, and 650 schoolbags with hope that the students would receive education under better conditions.
The installation of electricity facilities began in earnest on October 9. Over three days, they installed solar panels on the school roof, and connected them to batteries. The installation work was done in between the morning and afternoon classes and after the daily class was over, in order to not disrupt the students’ education. Lamps were installed in six classrooms; as the classrooms were lit with bright lights, the students greatly rejoiced, saying that they received valuable help worth more than money. Gisele Ganhou, the Principal of Group A, expressed his gratitude, saying “We’ve been trying to resolve this electricity supply issue, but have failed. Now the WeLoveU Foundation has given a helping hand to us.”
Meanwhile, having heard that the students were not sufficiently treated of their illnesses, the WeLoveU Foundation also provided medical supplies. The members of the WeLoveU revisited the school on November 2. They supplied 14 kinds of emergency medicine such as pain and fever reliever, cold medicine, band aids, virus medicine, disinfectant, and multivitamins. On the day, the school delivered a certificate of appreciation to the WeLoveU Foundation. Gregeoire Lissassi, the Principal of Group B, expressed his thoughts and feelings, saying, “Thank you so much for being considerate of the children in Zinvié Fandji. I don’t know how we can all thank you enough.” He added that he wanted to cooperate with the organization to resolve other problems of the school, as well.
Georges Togouan, the Head of the village Zinvié, expressed his sincere gratitude, saying, “I’m greatly delightful for the activities of the WeLoveU Foundation. They are wonderful and beautiful. Like the name “WeLoveU,” we love you, too. I really hope that all of you will revisit us.”
The classrooms are no longer dark even after sunset. The WeLoveU members eagerly wish that the newly installed lights will even brighten the children’s future as well.
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