Your share could raise $30
Before you go, did you know that simply by sharing this campaign, you could help it raise $30? It's an effective way to support the cause.
No thanks- Pin it
- SubscribeUnsubscribe
- Embed
Craig Sherod hasn't added a story.
A wonderful group of kids have found shelter, support, education, and happiness for the last 4 years, but they face the streets again very soon unless we raise $5300 by September 30, 2016. The property owner must sell quickly (medical/financial problems) so we have a very short time to put the first 50% into escrow. If we hit our Sept 30th goal, we'll have until January 30, 2017 to raise the remaining $14,000 and make the Homeless Children's Residential Center of Ouidah a reality.
If we fail, these children could be back to a life of abuse, molestation, child slavery, and crime on the streets. Most of these kids were beaten and sexually abused. One was trafficked and escaped after 1 year as a domestic slave.
The project to help these children was started by Martine de
Souza and will be managed by APEF, a registered NGO founded by
Martine, which has been helping women and children in remote
villages of Benin since 2001. For the last 4 years, helping local
homeless children has been a personal project for Martine, as she
fed, clothed, and counseled 8-14 children at her own expense.
According to Martine, “When these children began appearing in the
market and on the streets, I saw it as a cancer on my community,”
and she took action. Since then, the kids have flourished in every
way. Let’s help that continue.
The 1750 sq ft home sits within a walled and gated compound (offering safety) next door to Martine’s home. The lot is large enough for the children to grow vegetables and raise animals. The home has 4 large bedrooms, two baths, and a large open kitchen/dining/living area. The roof is prepped for second-story expansion, if needed. The structure is complete, but the toilets and showers need to be purchased and installed. The kitchen and dining area need to be equipped and bunk beds set up for the children. The U.S. and French Embassies have offered funding for facility improvements after the property is acquired.
Help raise the $5300 to get us to 50% and secure this home and nurturing environment. In Phase II, we'll raise the remaining $14,000 and by January 31, 2017, I will travel to Benin to assure the transaction is completed correctly and begin working with local embassies and organizations to add furnishings and appliances.
Products
- 0 ordered
I will create a high-quality photo book about these kids and the unusual country (Benin, W. Africa) in which they live. Originally, I visited and photographed voodoo in its country of origin. I also learned that the city was one of the main slave ports for 350 years. Originally called Dahomey, it also had a fierce fighting force of (female) amazon warriors. The book (available later) will cover my mind-bending exposure to this and more. A gallery-quality 11x14 print is an alternative perk you can choose.
Highlights
See all activity29Activity
- 0 ordered
I will create a high-quality photo book about these kids and the unusual country (Benin, W. Africa) in which they live. Originally, I visited and photographed voodoo in its country of origin. I also learned that the city was one of the main slave ports for 350 years. Originally called Dahomey, it also had a fierce fighting force of (female) amazon warriors. The book (available later) will cover my mind-bending exposure to this and more. A gallery-quality 11x14 print is an alternative perk you can choose.
Delete media item?
Delete this item from the media gallery? It will also be deleted from any related story update.
Set as ?
The campaign video will appear in social media and email.
The campaign cover picture will appear in social media and email.
The will appear at the top of your campaign page and in social media and email.
Reset ?
It will be removed from the top of your campaign and won't be used as default in social media and email. The will remain in the media gallery.
Embed
Share a link
Delete update
Delete this story update?
Any pictures or videos will remain in the campaign's media gallery.
Report campaign
Report submitted
Thank you. We take reports like yours very seriously. Our goal is to keep the community safe.
Please know that we may contact you for more information, but that we won't notify you personally of our decision. If the campaign remains available within a few days, it's likely that we determined it not to be in violation of our policies.
Thank you. We've already received your previous report. If the campaign remains available within a few days, it's likely that we determined it not to be in violation of our policies.
Tell us about the problem. Please fill in both fields below.
Record a video
Upload a video
Nothing grabs attention for your cause like a personal video. Take a minute or two to record one now. Record a short video message of support. Or upload one from your device. You can preview or redo your video before you post it.
Nothing grabs attention for your cause like a personal video. Upload a short video message of support. Upload a short video message of support. Or record one right now.
- Most effective video length: about a minute.
- Maximum length: 5 min.
- You can preview or redo your video before you post it.
Heads up! The existing video will be replaced.
Email your friends
Join our team
Tell people why our cause matters to you. Your personal message will encourage others to help. Easy, effective, optional.
Say it in video
Short personal videos by supporters like you are incredibly powerful. Record one right now and you'll help us raise more money. Easy, optional, effective.
Add a personal goal
Set a personal fundraising goal. You'll encourage more contributions if you do. And rest easy. There's no obligation to achieve your goal or bad consequences if you don't. Easy, optional, effective.
We have a video!
Video thumbnail
We'd love to show you our campaign video. Want to take a look?
, you're already on the team.