Hubi & Vinciane, Benin
‘Hubi & Vinciance Foundation’ is a Belgian organization of volunteers with several local employees active in Benin. They want to realize the dream of Hubi Adriaens and Vinciane Van Assche: “A better world for everyone”. The foundation strives for integral development and focuses on the problem of malnutrition through three major pillars: education, health care and entrepreneurship with a focus on agriculture and food supply.
For more info, check their website: https://hubi-vinciane.be/
COVID-19: The implementation phase is still uncertain, but we are working hard on alternatives to provide the students with an incredible AFD-experience. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at recruiting.lvn@afdimpact.org
project details
What: TRAINING WOMEN TO PRODUCE SANITARY PADS MADE FROM BANANA FIBERS.
PROVIDE GIRLS AND (YOUNG) WOMEN WITH SANITARY PADS AND EDUCATION ON MENSTRUAL HEALTH AND HYGIENE.
PROVIDE GIRLS AND (YOUNG) WOMEN WITH SANITARY PADS AND EDUCATION ON MENSTRUAL HEALTH AND HYGIENE.
When:
PREPARATION PHASE: OCTOBER – JUNE
IMPLEMENTATION PHASE: 6-8 WEEKS IN JULY AND AUGUST
PREPARATION PHASE: OCTOBER – JUNE
IMPLEMENTATION PHASE: 6-8 WEEKS IN JULY AND AUGUST
Where: PARAKOU, BENIN
Application Deadline: 3rd of October 2020
About the project
In Benin, there is a lack of access to affordable and effective products to manage menstrual hygiene. This inflicts school absenteeism of girls during their menstruation and unhygienic alternatives can cause vaginal infections. By producing reusable, sanitary pads from banana fibers, which is an unused byproduct of banana plantations, girls can get access to affordable menstrual products. This can result in better health and wellbeing, and the reusability is also beneficial to the environment.
Besides this, there is a lack of stable jobs which results in poverty. By producing and selling these banana pads jobs are created for vulnerable women.
The preparatory work consists of:
– Preparing a business plan
– Developing the production process of the banana pads
– Collaborate with the Beninese employers of the foundation to connect with local schools and organizations focusing on improving the wellbeing of girls and women
– Conduct a market research: search for information about local habits concerning menstruation, willingness to pay for the product, how to (culturally appropriate) advertise and sell the pads…
The in-field work contains:
– Elaborating the business plan
– Organizing workshops on how to make and use the banana pads
– Assisting women in the production and marketing of the pads
Who are we looking for?
This project team will require 3 to 4 highly motivated students with a hands-on mentality and good knowledge of the French language. Students of all academic backgrounds are allowed to apply. However, for this project we are especially looking for students with backgrounds or special interest in:
Bioscience Engineering (preferable specialization / interest in derivatives of plants)
Marketing
Economy / Business
Social sciences
If this sounds like the challenge you need in your life, not only to make the world just a little better but also to gain an incredible amount of experience in the process, do not hesitate to apply.