WEMA HOME – Bringing Hope and Love to Benin, Part 2 of 3

In Benin, restoring the fertility of agricultural land is a pressing concern. WEMA HOME and Marianne use their best efforts to raise people’s consciousness regarding the value of soil preservation. In 2001, WEMA HOME initiated a land restoration project by partnering with the renowned Jane Goodall Institute, a global wildlife and environmental conservation organization, and its children’s branch, Roots & Shoots whose goal is to encourage youth all over our world to better their respective communities for people, animals, and the environment. Under this initiative, school children are allotted a piece of deforested or degraded land and are responsible for rehabilitating it. The key goals include: 1. Bettering youth appreciation and respect for local flora and fauna 2.Reviving traditional medicinal plant knowledge 3. Protecting natural resources 4. Documenting the vegetation development in the protected area. “Now we realize that has made a huge difference. The children, the little ones who have grown with us, now understand the reason for nature conservation, and what nature conservation is, what it brings.” In this West African nation, agriculture is the most important source of income. WEMA HOME supports the Beninese people by encouraging groups to grow vegetables like tomatoes, chilies, green beans, corn, and yams, as well as cultivate fruit orchards, using organic methods. Through this sustainable farming system, the depleted land can be restored, and the yields can be boosted.