MMM in the Republic of Benin

Republic of Benin
Land:	110,662 sq km
Coastline:	121 km
Population:	8,791,832 (July 2009 estimate)
Age Structure:	0-14 years: 45.2% 15-64 years: 52.1% 65 years and over: 2.6%
Life Expectancy:	male: 57.83 years female: 60.23 years
Infant Mortality Rate: 64.64 deaths/1,000 live births
People living with HIV/AIDS: 64,000 (2007 estimate)
Literacy:	Total population: 34.7% male: 47.9% female: 23.3% (2002 census)
National Holiday: National Day, 1 August (1960)
From - World Factbook 2009

Our mission in the Republic of Benin was founded in the year 2000 by our first all-African team of Sisters.

The Sisters are working in the village of Zaffe, in the Diocese of Dassa-Zoume in this small West African Republic. The population is made up of four main ethno-linguistic groups: Fon, Yoruba, Voltaic and Fulani.

The health services began when a group of volunteers were trained to work among their people in surrounding villages. From the beginning, the local people embraced us warmly among them, working with us every step of the way to achieve a vibrant health centre and a growing outreach of services to surrounding villages

In the first year, 4,850 patients were seen at the new Health Centre, almost 60% of these being children. Respiratory infections, malaria, anaemia and diarrhoeal diseases were the most common problems, but sexually transmitted diseases were believed to be on the increase.

At the ante-natal clinics, 116 women registered, and topics such as hygiene, diet and exercise were discussed, as well as the physical monitoring of the mothers-to-be.

Since then a Maternity Unit was added to the Health Centre. Today, the numbers attending the Health Centre and Maternity Unit have increased. At the request of the local people, the Sisters have extended the work to include a model farm and a program to train young farmers to improve their income through better farm practices.   

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Stories from MMM in Benin

New Year Baby  by Sister Irene Balzan
Republic of Benin, 2008:  The little boy was born on New Year’s Day. The birth took place at a rural clinic, about half an hour’s journey from our Health Centre and Maternity Unit at Zaffé. On account of the day he was born, everyone agreed the little boy should be named ‘Janvier’. >>> more.

Songhai and MMM
Republic of Benin, 2007:  The main street in Zaffé VillageThe MMM community at Zaffé is located three hours’ drive north of Porto Novo. Established as a new mission in the year 2000, the Sisters listened to the local people as they went about developing a Health Centre, including a Maternal Care Unit and a Mobile Service to seven outlying villages. The Health Centre now averages about 170 deliveries each year. People come from far and wide. The addition of an ultrasound donated by two Maltese doctors, Dr. Joseph Vella and Dr. Savona Ventura, increased the services available.  >>> more.

The power of Silence  by Sister Radegunda Shayo
Republic of Benin, 2006: Sister Radegunda Shayo on mission in ZafféIn Zaffe – like in most African villages – women do a lot to keep their families going. They care for the children, do most of the farming and house-keeping. These are regarded as minor chores. No one would think of affirming a woman who gathered enough firewood to cook all their meals throughout the rainy season, keep her house clean, or make sure that there is always enough water in the big water jars outside the house for drinking, cooking and washing. >>> more.

The impact of good Nutrition
Republic of Benin, 2005:  In the past year we have seen very few malnourished children. We are beginning now to see the impact of our Nutrition Programme. This is very encouraging for us all.
The clinic of MMM in ZaffeHere in our small Clinic in Zaffe, we are now attending almost 7,000 people each year. More than half of them are children.
In the first six months of the year, we cared for 173 women in our ante-natal clinic. During the same time we had 117 deliveries. >>> more.

History of MMM in the Rep. of Benin  |  More Stories from Annals of MMM in the Rep. of Benin

Last modified: Friday, March 19th, 2010