Founded in 1988, Emmaüs Benin's main mission is to coordinate the activities of the various Emmaüs groups in Benin. There are currently 4 member groups: Emmaüs Tohoué, Emmaüs Pahou, Emmaüs AFA, Emmaüs Mobovome; and one probationary group: Sonagnon.
As part of their actions, the associations of Emmaüs Benin work to improve the conditions of people in difficult situations and vulnerability, especially women, by offering them financial support and socio-professional training. The associations of Emmaüs Benin also act on environmental protection and the improvement of living conditions.
Presentation
Our History
In Benin, the establishment of the first Emmaus group originated from the intervention of Albert TEVOEDJRE. On the occasion of the General Assembly of Emmaus International in 1984, he was invited to present the main idea of his book "Poverty, Wealth of Peoples."
Subsequently, close ties were immediately established between the writer, then the Deputy Director-General of the International Labour Office in Geneva, and the Emmaus community of Montbéliard in France.
In 1988, the Professor agreed to connect with Emmaus International a Beninese compatriot who wished to implement an environmental development and protection action in Porto-Novo. This marked the origin of the first Emmaus Benin group, Emmaus Tohouè. This group was finally affiliated with Emmaus International in 1992.
The second Emmaus Benin group affiliated with Emmaus International in 1992 was the Emmaus Hêvié group, which became Emmaus Pahou in 2003 due to their change of location; then AFA in 2004 and Mobovome in 2023.
The various associations of Emmaus Benin offer the Health Mutual Africa (MSA) program, initiated by Emmaus International, to the people they support and their employees. Members pay monthly contributions proportional to their income, which allows them to benefit from the health services of MSA Benin. MSA Benin reimburses up to 70% of the costs of medication, surgery, biomedical analysis, and nursing medical procedures.
Currently, 23 health centers are affiliated with MSA Benin, and 10 health centers have agreements, allowing beneficiaries to take advantage of third-party payment services.
Health Mutual Africa
The MSA Office
José HOUNSA
President
Xavier ZENI
Vice President
Guy ZOGBOSSI
General Treasurer
Anita ADEBAYO
General Secretary
Hilaire TOSSAVI
AFA Representative
Myllie ASSANKPON
Pahou Representative
Elisabeth AKPO
Touhouè Representative
Perpétue SOUNHDJA
Coordinator
Camille HOUETOSSON
Advisory Physician
Container Program
The Container Program is a solidarity initiative coordinated by Emmaus International, where Emmaus associations in Europe share material resources with groups in Africa and Latin America, enabling them to equip themselves, organize solidarity sales in their bric-a-brac stores, and support other local actors. This program is linked to another program: the Transport Program, which operates on the same solidarity principle, but between European Emmaus groups sending resources to other groups in Europe.
The Container Program is essential for Emmaus Benin member groups. Indeed, it is challenging to implement recovery actions in Benin; the quantity and quality of equipment that could be recovered would not be sufficient to finance the activities of the associations.
Moreover, in Benin, the state does not allow associations to engage in purely economic activities; only social activities generating income, such as solidarity sales or sales related to socio-professional reintegration activities, are permitted.
What are the objectives of this program?
Firstly, the income from solidarity sales enables Emmaus Benin member groups to finance the expenses related to the association's operation and the salaries of their employees.
Secondly, numerous donations are made possible through the supplies received by containers, including donations of medical equipment to health centers and donations of books and school manuals.
Finally, solidarity sales enable us to finance the regular solidarity actions of Emmaus Benin member groups, such as:
Socio-professional reintegration activities: expenses related to the reception and training of companions; allowances for companions, etc.
Zè Alternative School: educational materials
Support activities for women's communities: expenses related to socio-professional training, financial support, etc.
Zè Community Canteen.
Moreover, this income enables the implementation of special activities such as Christmas celebrations, including festive meals and gift distributions; awareness activities, particularly in first aid, or commemorative days.
Emmaüs Benin Office
Christ TOKPLONOU
President
Elisabeth AKPO
Vice Presidente
Perpétue SOUNHDJA
Accountant and Coordinator
Séverin MEKPOSSI
General Treasurer
Cynthia ATOHOUN
General Secretary