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ELI is proud to be one of the few organizations to offer in Benin in West Africa! This small country is off the beaten tourist path, but still makes a great destination for volunteers. The friendly people and welcoming environment, along with the lush scenery make it a great opportunity for volunteers who want to experience a program in a unique location while still providing very real assistance to those who need it. Programs in Benin can be easily combined with programs in Ghana and/or Togo for a volunteer project taking participants throughout the region. These programs also provide an excellent opportunity for students studying French to work on their language skills. Come be one of the first to try these exciting new programs and see a region of the world you may not have previously considered!
Volunteer and Internship Programs
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Conservation
Conservation
The Support Project for the Restoration of Natural Resources (PARRN) is an integrated projectthat works to fight against deforestation in the villages of Kpovié and Tokan in the south of Benin. At Kpovié, the focus is on gardening, reforestation and composting project; while at Tokan, there are activities in rabbit breeding, reforestation and production of animal feed.
In May and June, in both projects, there is a focus on reforestation in particular. Volunteers during this time help in cleaning up sites to be reforested, picketing, planting seedlings of acacia, maintenance of reforested sites. These are great projects to see how conservation iniatives actually function on the ground in Africa, with all of their successes and frustrations. Questions? Click here
Apply Now
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.
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Youth and Education
Youth and Education
ELI works with several schools and orphanages throughout the country of Benin. Interested volunteers and interns have the opportunity to work with a school for children with developmental disabilities teaching lifeskills, a school for the hearing impaired, or various orphanages. Tasks can include everything from English education, to life-skills and job training, to basic physical and occupational therapy. No previous education experience is needed. Questions? Click here
Apply Now
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.
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Agriculture
Agriculture
Pineapple Co-op
The IRA (Initiative pour la Relance de l’Ananas) is an agricultural cooperative which works in the growing and processing of pineapple in pineapple juice. This is a true development cooperative in the locality which uses local labor and job skills training as a method of poverty reduction. Volunteers help in weeding of pineapple cultivation, harvesting pineapple, juice preparation, packaging, bottling, marketing, and other aspects of the running of the cooperative.
Vivogbè
The association Vivogbè is a rural women's association in the town of Kpovié. The women work with the processing of palm nuts oil. As with the IRA, this is an excellent opportunity for a marginalized community to develop alternate sources of income. Volunteers will have the opportunity to work with hard working women in the treatment of palm nuts, cooking, grinding, oil extraction, and bottling.
Gardening
The association of gardeners is specialized in the cultivation of vegetables: cabbage, carrot, lettuce, peppers, tomato, cucumber, and onion. This association employs a large proportion of the population and is a true engine of poverty reduction in the region. Volunteers help by setting up the nursery trees, transplanting, fertilizer application, irrigation, site maintenance, and harvesting. Questions? Click here
Apply Now
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.
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Healthcare
Healthcare
ELI has partnerships with hospitals and clinics where medical students and health workers can do internship for 3 weeks or more. Volunteers are supervised by a doctor and assist in daily consultations and treatment of patients. Volunteers can observe in the fields of general medicine, surgery, gynecology, maternity, laboratory, physical therapy, ophthalmology, pediatrics, and emergency. This placement is also good for participants interested in becoming familiar with tropical diseases and local practices. Questions? Click here
Apply Now
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.
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Journalism
Journalism Internships in Benin
Skilled volunteers or those who are interested in broadcasting (radio, newspapers, or television) and communications can work in a project writing articles, translating articles, making reports, sound and video editing, filming, investigations, and animation. We work with several media outlets throughout Benin. Specific tasks and responsibilities will depend on the media outlet, and the volunteer's experience and education. Questions? Click here
Apply Now
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.
Cost & Details
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Cost - Benin
See our off-season discounts! Click here for a complete list.
| Length of Program |
Program Fee |
| 2 Weeks |
US$900 |
| 3 Weeks |
US$975 |
| 4 Weeks |
US$1050 |
| 5 Weeks |
US$1113 |
| 6 Weeks |
US$1175 |
| 7 Weeks |
US$ 1263 |
| 8 Weeks |
US$1350 |
| 9 Weeks |
US$1413 |
| 10 Weeks |
US$1475 |
| 11 Weeks |
US$1538 |
| 12 Weeks |
US$1600 |
Application Fee: $200
The application fee is a separate administrative charge for all programs. It does not apply to the program fee. (Please see our application fee refund policy here
Programs may last up to one year. Each additional two weeks costs $125.
Credit card payments: Payment by credit card will be assessed a 3.5% surcharge. This is the fee that we will be charged for the transaction. Contact us about alternative forms of payment.
Apply Now
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.
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What's Included/What's Not
Program Includes:
*Pre-departure Information
*Airport Pickup
*3 Day Orientation
*Accommodation
*Breakfast During the Orientation
*Breakfast and Dinner With the Host Family
*24/7 In-country Support
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Program Does Not Include:
*Round Trip Airfare
*Return Trip to Airport
*Required Travel and Medical Insurance
*Travel Within Benin
*Visa Fees
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Apply Now
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.
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Accommodations
Accommodations
Volunteers in Benin stay with local host families. ELI truly believes that this is the best way to fully immerse in another culture and get the most from an international experience. All families are carefully screened and are well-respected members of the community with at least one family member who speaks English. Participants will have either a private or shared bedroom with secure storage (volunteer must provide own padlock). Bathrooms are shared with the host family. Volunteers will be provided with breakfast and dinner daily.
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Start Dates
Start Dates
Orientation begins every Monday. Volunteers should arrive in Accra, Ghana or Cotonou, Benin (depending on the details of your program) on a Sunday.
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Language Classes
French Classes
The official language of Benin is French. Volunteers can take a 2 or 4 week French course in Cotonou in addition to their time volunteering. Classes are also available in African dance and drumming. Please contact us for details on these courses.
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