Our association

Driven by a shared vision, two young leaders (one French and one Beninese) founded the Hirondelle de l'Avenir Benin association in the 2000s.

They worked together for two years and launched numerous environmental, health, and social projects.

The association's co-founder,Sophie Thouvenel, then createdHirondelle de l'Avenir Franceto secure funding and ensure the sustainability of the initiatives launched. Following various observations made during her many trips, she decided to set upa child sponsorship projectin villages, particularly in remote areas, in order to reach as many children as possible.

For 17 years, she has focused primarily ondeveloping social programs inBenin, with an emphasison health and education. The main goal of these initiatives is toprepare Beninese youth for anincreasingly complexworld of workby identifying, supporting, and promoting the talents of tomorrow.

By offering opportunities for education, training, and empowerment, the association aims to create conditions conducive tothe personal and professional developmentof new generations, with a view to contributing to the socioeconomic development of communities.

Hirondelle de l’Avenir has strong regional roots in the country: in the south (Aguégués, Porto Novo, Sakété, Allada, Azowillissé, and Houéyogbé) and in the north (Parakou, Djougou, Tourou, and Natitingou).

Our vision

EVERYONE CAN TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR LIFE, EVERYONE CAN FIND THEIR PLACE...

We believe in a society where every individual has the opportunity to contribute to their own development and that of their community, regardless of their background, experience, or abilities.

We aspire to offer opportunities for fulfillment and empowerment by encouraging the expression of potential and providing the means to achieve everyone's aspirations.

EMPOWERING BENIN'S YOUTH AND UNLEASHING THEIR POTENTIAL

OUR SPECIFIC MISSIONS:

Sponsorship: We are setting up a sponsorship system aimed at providing financial, educational, and healthcare support to sponsored children, enabling them to access quality education and develop their full potential.
Scholarships: We award scholarships to young women from low-income backgrounds, giving them the opportunity to pursue higher education.
Digital skills training: we organize specific training programs in digital skills for children and teenagers to help them acquire the skills they need to adapt to technological developments, thereby promoting their agility in a digital world and their future employability. Priority is given to training young girls.
Placement in professional internships: we facilitate the placement of young adults in professional internships, enabling them to gain practical experience and develop essential professional skills.
Well construction: we promote the construction of wells in villages, ensuring access to a source of drinking water for local communities, thereby helping to improve their health and quality of life.

OUR VALUES

AUTONOMY

We aim to promote the development of the abilities of the children and young people we support so that they can be independent and take control of their own lives.

CONFIDENCE

We attach great importance to establishing mutual trust on both sides with the association, both with regard to sponsors and the public we support, as well as our partners (operational or financial).