Benin/A hot meal, a smile: the NGO Dagbémabou gives hope to Beninese schoolchildren
It's a day of joy and solidarity at Carpe Diem private school. That morning, children's faces were beaming, pots were smoking and hearts were opening. The NGO Dagbémabou, chaired by Maurel Léolus HOUNGBÉDJI, has launched its humanitarian program "A hot meal for a smile", an initiative born of the Beninese diaspora in Belgium, supported by Belgian partners including the city of Verviers. The aim is to offer a hot meal every day to pupils from modest families, and to create a more humane school environment.
For the Director of Carpe Diem School, Achille Quenum, this action goes far beyond a simple charitable gesture: "This initiative has a profoundly human and educational impact. It is a concrete expression of the idea that school is not only a place of learning, but also of well-being and solidarity. Offering a hot meal gives a smile and dignity back to children, many of whom come to school hungry. For us at Carpe Diem, it's a way of saying that every pupil counts", he confided with emotion.
Before this intervention, the children's daily reality was more difficult. "Many arrived without breakfast, and went through the day without a proper meal. The result was fatigue, loss of concentration and sometimes even discouragement," he explains. Today, the change is visible: better attendance, increased attention and renewed joy. "The atmosphere in the canteen has become one of sharing and fraternity," he emphasizes.
On the parents' side, the gratitude is immense. The parents' representative warmly thanked the NGO Dagbémabou: "This project is a blessing. It brings relief to many families and restores parents' confidence. We see our children happy and motivated, and that's the greatest gift. "He calls for the program to be made permanent: "We don't want this to be a one-off gesture, but a long-term one. And why not, so that other schools can also benefit. "
"Thank you for giving us a smile".
Perhaps the most touching voice of the day came from the spokesperson for his beneficiary schoolchildren. "Before, some of us would go all day without eating. Now we have the strength to listen to the teachers. Thanks to Dagbémabou, thanks to our parents and to all those who think of us," she said to thunderous applause. The children then sang a song of thanks, a symbol of their gratitude and shared joy.
For Maurel Léolus HOUNGBÉDJI, President of the NGO Dagbémabou, represented, this action reflects a civic commitment and a transnational fraternity: "Through this initiative, we want to demonstrate that solidarity knows no borders. As members of the Beninese diaspora in Belgium, we are keen to contribute to the well-being of our country's children. This hot meal is not just an act of charity, it's an act of love, hope and responsibility towards our collective future. "
The representative of the NGO president thanked the Belgian partners for their constant support and praised the cooperation with the school staff: "Together, we are sowing seeds of hope. Because feeding a child means building tomorrow's nation. "
Solidarity without borders
Finally, the Director of Carpe Diem launched an appeal for goodwill: "School fees amount to less than 100 euros per child per year. Some parents are unable to pay this amount, which leads to school dropouts. We invite all people of good faith to support these children through sponsorship. "
Between community involvement, international solidarity and hope for a better future, the "A hot meal for a smile" project embodies living proof that kindness can transform children's lives - one plate at a time.
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