Build A Better Benin
It may be recalled that Benin, former Dahomey, is perhaps the "most beaten track by Europeans of any Africa". The history of Benin is a succession of kingdoms. In 1704, France received permission to erect a port at Ouidah, and in 1752 the Portuguese founded Porto Novo. On June 22, 1894, the territory was named by decree the "Colony of Dahomey and its dependences" and was granted autonomy which it retained until October 18, 1904 when it became part of French West Africa. On December 4, 1958 the Republic was proclaimed. Dahomey became independent on August 1, 1960 and is a UN member country.
For those of you who have seen our street art…you have come to the right place. I am a local Hermosa Beach nurse who is moving to Benin, West Africa this July. I have a clinic there, but I am also building an orphanage for those children trapped in the child sex trade. This Saturday I am hosting a fundraiser at the former Sangria (American Junkie) on the Hermosa Beach Pier. It is from 5:30-8:30 and entrance is $40 per person. We will have drink specials, complimentary appetizers, silent auction, DJ, live band, and dancing. It will be a great evening so bring your friends. 100% of EVERY DOLLAR goes directly to construction of the children’s home. I know together we can reach the goal and when I leave in July, I can deliver the promise to save some children’s lives.
Thank you for your kindness and much love!
Sarah Chapman, RN
The Beach Reporter featured BABB this week in their publication. Check it out and share with your friends. Don’t forget about the BIG EVENT this Saturday in Hermosa Beach. Follow the link below for tickets:
The Gala Dinner in April was a huge success! We are “well” on our way to a clean water source. The countdown is here…I leave in just a few short weeks!
These are photos from Maison de l’espoir (House of Hope). This is our first and only orphanage we have right now. It is located in central Benin, about 6 hours from Tanguieta. We have 59 healthy, happy, and educated children. All of them have clothing, food, and schooling. All are true orphans, with no living parents, but they have happy lives at the Maison.
I have seen the transition these children have made. From destitute into thriving. It makes my heart so happy, sometimes my heart wants to burst! I wish everyone could come to Benin and see the smiles on their faces, and just spend one afternoon with them. Your heart would burst with love too!
How would you like to personally be responsible for a project in Benin? Email me at sarah@buildabetterbenin.org to find out how you can take on changing our world!
Hey everyone! It’s finally HERE! The BIG Build A Better Benin Event! Mark your calendars for June 2nd in Hermosa Beach. It will be an evening of dancing, cocktails, food, and silent auction. We have some great items for auction including signed sports memorabilia, SMACK sportswear, and the Barcycle! Please tell your friends and family! Just click the above invitation to buy tickets. At $40 a person, it’s a steal! I can’t wait to see everyone.
Build Benevolence.
This $5 was given to me by a 7th grader from Monroe Middle School in San Jose, Ca. He handed this to me and said, “Give this to the African children that I saw in your photos.”
This was his lunch money for the day, and he kept insisting I take it to the children of Benin.
Everyday I am humbled and inspired by the human condition. This project is so grassroot, that it relies exclusively on the kindness and generosity of people around me.
This $5 was the final 5 we needed to get to half our building goal! This is a monumental day! These children have no idea how their lives will be changing this year. Can you imagine? Being taken from living on the streets, fighting for your own life (and you are 10 years old)…to being placed in a warm home. With food, shelter, and an education….and a clean water source! Time to start not taking things for granted everyone…
Wow! Build A Better Benin is featured in South Bay Magazine! Clink on the link above. Tell your friends and visit South Bay Magazine’s website!
We are having another beautiful fundraiser to help build the orphanage. If you live in Northern California, and would like to dine in style and entertainment, then this is for you! Private Chef Williams will be cooking a 5-course meal, complete with wine, entertainment, silent auction and raffle.
It will be a night to remember, and a night of fun and friends. Let’s have some fun, while raising some love.
Please take time to watch and see the faces behind all our love. Some of these children’s lives will be saved by the construction of the orphanage.
These are the faces of the children we need a home for….aren’t they all beautiful?
The new posters! Be on the lookout for them in the local communities of Hermosa and Manhattan Beaches! If you see one out there, let us know! We love to hear how the word is spreading.
For anyone up in the Bay Area this weekend, we are having a broomball fundraiser this Saturday. If you are interested, checkout the Facebook page:
facebook.com/sarahchapmanRN
Come out and play! (if you are competitive, bring a helmet).
This is the site where we have our donated land for the children’s home. Once it is built, the orphanage will house about 30 children. We have a natural waterfall near the grounds, which is not common in northern Benin. It is absolutely beautiful! I can see ground-breaking already….
Our beautiful Gloria. How can you not just kiss that face all over?
Gloria lives at our current children’s home (orphanage). She is an example of a true orphan, with no living parents or family to care for her. She is in school and learning how to be an productive young woman in her native country of Benin. I have no doubt this girl will grow up to do great things.
Look out Benin! The streets won’t be safe anymore! I will be driving the pot hole laden, mud sludged, goat crossing, dirt roads of West Africa! Thank God they don’t drive on the left side of the road.
The only problem? I need a car.
Please pray that God provides a generous person that wants to donate funding for cheap vehicle that can transport patients as well as deliver supplies to the clinic and surrounding villages. We are looking for a passenger van that will fit around 8 people (or 12…in Africa). We can always purchase a used one in Benin, as importing is impossible. I believe in miracles!!!!
