SOS Schools in Benin

Only 41% of adults in Benin can read and write

In Benin, there are currently three SOS Schools (2 primary schools, 1 secondary) and three SOS Nurseries.  These facilities provide education to children from SOS Villages and from the wider community. Staff members are well trained and the resources available to students are of a high standard.  Below you can find an overview on the SOS Children education projects.

Fail's Story

Fail is 12 years old and lives in SOS Children’s Village Natitingou. As one of the best in her class, Fail was chosen to go on an excursion to Tori, about 100km from the capital Cotonou. Fail was amazed to see “pineapple, oranges, avocado and vegetables” by the roadside, because these fruits are rare in Natitingou.

Abomey-Calavi : SOS Schools

The SOS Nursery at Abomey-Calavi has over 100 children, with 95 from the local community and 10 from our SOS village:

• A wide range of learning activities takes place and sessions are also organised for parents on important topics such as preventing violence against children.

• The highlight of one year was the joint celebration of African Child’s Day and SOS Children’s Villages day in June, when competitions were organised and youngsters were invited onto a national children’s TV programme.

The SOS Primary School at Abomey-Calavi has over 350 students, around 60 coming from the SOS village.

• A high standard of education is offered to pupils at the school and in the most recent year 100% of the children passed the Secondary Education Certificate.
• The school focuses on academic attainments and involves the children in all activities and decision-making, having children as members of the School Executive Committee.

The SOS Arts and Crafts Secondary School at Abomey-Calavi has around 150 students.

• In the most recent year 100% of the children passed the Advanced Vocational Training Diploma in Arts.
• The students participate in many national and international artistic, cultural and sports activities, through the school’s orchestra, dance and theatre groups and its sports teams.

Dassa-Zoume : SOS Schools

The SOS Nursery at Dassa-Zoumé has around 50 children, with approximately 40 coming from the local community and 10 from our SOS village.

• A wide range of learning activities takes place aimed at stimulating the children’s interest in and understanding of the world around them.
• The children are taken on various trips, to public places such as the city hall, diocese building and central mosque and also to other attractions such as the orchard at Modji Gangan and a mini-zoo. And the school has a theatre and dance club, where the children can learn ballet or the traditional dance of Gumbé.

The SOS Primary School at Dassa-Zoumé has over 230 students, with around 80 coming from the SOS village:

• Primary education is offered to pupils at the school and among the range of subjects, students learn English and computer science.
• As well as academic schooling, extracurricular activities include sports such as football and basketball, dance and theatre, art and calligraphy, and the learning of practical skills such as shoemaking and sewing.

Natitingou : SOS Schools

The SOS Nursery at Natitingou has over 50 children, most coming from the local community and 5/6 from the SOS village:

• A wide range of learning activities takes place aimed at developing the children’s skills. Physical development is supported with play equipment outdoors and a swimming pool.
• The two main events of the school calendar are the end-of-school-year festival in June and Christmas, when Santa Claus brings gifts for the children.

The SOS Primary School at Natitingou has over 200 students, with nearly 50 coming from the SOS village:

• Primary education is offered to pupils at the school and among the range of subjects, students learn English and computer science. Any children with learning difficulties have extra tutorial sessions.
• There are a range of extracurricular activities and workshops to encourage the children to develop their individual talents and skills.