OUR STORY

 

APEED Benin is a unique organisation, having been founded by students, for students. 



Barth Sodansou, a year 11 student at the time, founded APEED Benin in 1999 after he was forced to leave school after the death of his father and loss of his family’s income. Barth worked for two years before returning to school and established APEED Benin to assist other students in need. 

 

In the first five years of its existence, APEED Benin operated with limited funding. Barth sought out other students in Parakou who were struggling to finish high school and lobbied High School Principals to give an exemption to those students for their school fees.

 

As the organization grew, APEED Benin was able to start a library, a place where students could access textbooks and tutoring. As the organization has grown, so has the quality of its programs, with students now having access to scholarships, tutoring, textbooks, a library and school equipment. 

 

In the 21 years since APEED Benin was founded, the organization has helped more than 1,200 students overcome barriers to education. This is an incredible achievement for a student-led NGO with limited access to resources. 

 

Many former students of APEED Benin have stayed involved in the running of the organization. They work as volunteers and are committed to helping others in a similar situation to themselves.