REPORT OF THE VISIT TO THE PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL OF GBESSOU!

Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

Were there : KPATENON C.S.Wilfried : president, TANKPINOU Hervé A : general secretary, KOUGBE Yves : general treasurer, HOUSSA Angèle : assistant treasurer. Guest : BRUN Marie.

« The long journey by car and then by motorized boat and the difficulties of access to the village of Gbessou confirm the isolation of the population and the accompanying social actions that the NGO could provide. ».

After making an appointment with the school administration, the two directors welcome us in the presence of the village chief and the president of the APE (parents’ association). Following the presentations, the president of the NGO recalls the objectives of the latter and asks what the needs of the school would be. It should be noted that the number of students is 505, divided into two groups.

The administration points out the difficulties it encounters:

- Lack of school supplies (textbooks, satchels, bags, khaki uniform, notebooks and pens): activity manuals are in short supply and teachers are forced to make photocopies, often at the expense of the administration. This penalizes learning and follow-up at home ;

- The absenteeism of learners and the lack of motivation of some families;

- The absence of a kindergarten which increases the lack of future motivation;

- Difficulties related to the canteen (state of the building especially in the rainy season);

- At the start of the school year, which corresponds to the period of the floods, on the one hand the parents encounter financial difficulties and the children start the year in poor conditions, and on the other hand the teachers have no means of transport ( a motorized boat) to transport them.

- The absence of electricity (No photocopier, no computer...)

The NGO having obtained official approval from the prefecture the day before this visit, it will be able to start thinking about the means to be put in place to overcome some of these difficulties.

THANKS:

We would like to thank the village chief, the president of the APE, and especially the educational team who received us.

The children's laughter and explosive joy, despite the difficult living conditions, still accompany us and encourage us to continue our mission.

Done at Glodjigbé le 01/03/2022

The Secretary General

TANKPINOU Hervé Ayadje