A world we dare to imagine part 3

Team 229 is an existing non-Government Organization. Our primary mission is to bring joy to orphans by giving them special moments when other kids have family around. Most orphans in Benin have a very difficult life and abandoned by everybody. We chose Christmas a special moment for kids when they receive affection, love and gifts. I felt heart broken when I saw a documentary realized by a Canadian organization about orphans in Central Africa. I saw innocent ones very sad on a Christmas day. This scene was happening in a neighborhood where other kids were enjoying their gifts while orphans were sad. Loosing parents is generally a fatality in Africa, and children suffer for that because no one cares about them.  

I was looking for a way to give back to my community and I chose to help children in need to have at least once a year, a moment where they will have to enjoy their childhood. I co-founded Team 229 to give back this chance I had when I was a kid – spoiled by toys. The first event was called Christmas toy drive and we expanded this event to Easter which brings the frequency to two events in a year.

In my country giving back to the community is mostly for electoral purposes. I have no ambition in politics. Put a smile on vulnerable faces gives me a satisfaction that no wealth could bring.  I was lucky to have a bike for a year and the year after another toy. I trashed clothes in my life because I found them old. Growing around poverty made me realize that some people will be more than happy to have what I get rid of. I had this idea to collect anything valuable for these kids in need. I expose this idea while working in a Bank to my colleagues who brought me a lot of things: books, clothes, toys, even mattresses. My goal was to ask people’s help without them giving me money. This is what make my organization unique.

When I moved to the US, I realized how big this country is as a consumption society. I realized how people dispose the unwanted items. I will like to collect any valuables and put a smile on mores innocent faces. I solicit Anima Mundi Development Partner’s support to help us with the logistics to collect, store, and ship them to my country to be kid’s treasure.

A WORLD WE DARE TO IMAGINE PART I

Donate your attention

There are countless orphans in my home country Benin, and I, too, have been around poverty throughout my life. To combat the seemingly endless cycle of despair, I co-founded a Non-Government Organization called “Team 229.” The purpose of the organization is to help orphanages by planning and sponsoring activities, such as Christmas toy drive. I want people to think twice before throwing away used books, toys, or clothes. From growing up in poverty in Benin, I have found the old adage to be true: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

I would like to extend this project to students not only at USC but to other campuses. It is my desire to see students helping children who need clothes, toys, or any other item. There are numerous items regularly discarded around the USC campus, and Team 229 could use these items to benefit a child in need. Additionally, I want to attract potential business women in Africa to invest in Team 229. This idea came from a study showing a growing number of successful business women in Africa. Allowing powerful women in Benin to donate to Team 229 will not only help the children in need, but it will also empower the successful business women to be leader in ending poverty and homelessness in Benin.

I also have in mind graduating students donate a little bit of their time to be pair with other students in Benin to mentor them, and exchange ideas. The purpose of this is to avoid people here to feel harassed, by asking them to give money. Just giving attention could make this world a better place to live.

Benin a real democracy in Africa

Good job Benin

Who could have imagined a fair election in an African country? Africans countries are known for a high corruption and fraudulent election system. Benin, this tiny country on the map, barely recognizable gave the example to dictators around the globe. The Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou, highly favorable in “fake” polls called his challenger, to recognize his defeat. Waoooh this doesn’t sound African…

Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou said in a statement that results showed a clear victory for Patrice Talon. Our neighbors were amazed by this act. I read a comment from a Congolese lady saying “how is that possible a candidate calling to concede his defeat, not even a trouble in the country or people beaten to discourage others to protest, waoooh, good job Benin, I wish we could have the same here in Congo…”    

Patrice Talon sworn in as Benin’s new president Wednesday April 6, completing a peaceful transfer of power in the West African country. He also renewed a promise to step down after only one term.  Although Benin allows its leader to serve two terms, Talon voiced concern that 10 years in office may leave leaders complacent, and said he will work to limit future presidents to one term as well.

Benin is an oasis of stability and democracy in the troubled West African region, where most of its neighbors have struggled with coups, political unrest and the Boko Haram insurgency in recent years. I am so proud to witness this new era, which is a great start for a real development.  

Je suis Benin.

Growing a Farmer Part 2

Growing A farmer Part 2

Timmermeister teaches his reader’s to never give up on the American dream. He also highlights how that dream has changed, how he learned to be flexible and adapt as problems arose. The book is as much about the courage to pursue one’s dreams, as it is, a how-to of modern day farming. Timmermeister came up against fierce competition in the early days of his farm. He realized that selling produce at the local farmer’s market was a lot more difficult than it first seemed.

After suffering massive profit losses, Timmermeister carefully decided to pursue dairy farming instead. Presently, Timmermeister has a successful dairy farm that continues to goes from strength-to-strength. Growing a Farmer is a truly inspiring read that goes beyond the assumed narrative, and gives readers value, and food for thought.