Charity Foundation by Jesus
School project Benin – Somè | Africa
Benin is one of the poorest countries in the world. Over 40% of the population has to survive on less than
$2.15 a day. Behind these figures are children with dreams and parents with hopes, waiting for an opportunity.
Thousands of children in Somé, a district of Cotonou, spend their days at the market to ensure their families' survival instead of attending school because there is simply a lack of educational facilities.We want to change that!
Father Franck Ahokou comes from Benin, West Africa, and has been working as a priest in various parishes in Germany for 14 years.
He has been passionately supporting projects in his home country for many years – he will also accompany and actively promote this school project.
Our goal: “To give children a future through education”
Following the great success of our first school in Gbêko, we are planning to build another school in Somé.
A place where knowledge is imparted—and hope grows. The project is supported by the proven partnership between the Benin Friends Group, the Charity Foundation by Jesus, which is responsible for coordination, and several parishes in the Diocese of St. Gallen.
Opening of the first school on the Gbêko Peninsula in Benin
Over 200 children are given the chance of a future through education
The plan is to build a school with several classrooms for elementary school and kindergarten.
• A 2,400 m² plot of land for a two-story building
• A schoolyard with green space for self-sufficiency, fenced in with a school gate
• 6 classrooms (max. 40 students each) for the elementary school
• Two classrooms for kindergarten
• A cafeteria and a staff room, including the principal's office and sanitary facilities
• Surroundings and facilities: Quiet village location in Somé. Energy supplied by an efficient solar photovoltaic system, own water supply (drilled well),
and a green area with fruit
Investment in the future
We need to invest approximately CHF 100,000 to ensure legal security and purchase an officially notarized and state-certified plot of land, including all building permits.
The planned investment volume for the school building is CHF 70,000–80,000.
A further CHF 30,000–40,000 will be required for the complete development of the property (fence, gate, courtyard, garden with lawn and trees).
Our goal is to raise the entire amount through donations by the end of July 2026.
The money is to be handed over by Benin's national holiday on August 1, 2026.
Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2027, with the school opening in early 2028.
In the best hands on site
Our project is supported locally by trusted partners:
• Father Renaud Bokovo, a man known for his tireless commitment to the poorest members of society.
• Mireille Ahokou, who is wholeheartedly committed to the community.
• Father Franck Ahokou, who will be reliably responsible for project supervision on site.
Every contribution you make is an investment in a child's future. If you would like to support our school project, we would be grateful for your donation, specifying the purpose “School Project Benin Somé.” All donations go 100% to the project—without any deductions or administrative fees. Of course, all supporters will receive an official donation receipt for tax purposes. Thank you very much for your support!
Below, we would like to show you a few impressions of the school's construction plans.
