“Every day is a challenge, working in a very different culture and in a place where resources are limited,” he said in an e-mail. “But the children make it all worthwhile. This has been an unforgettable experience.” Forbes finishes his volunteer assignment in October. While living in Benin, he has adjusted to the different lifestyle. “The majority of people make their living off subsistence farming,” he said. “There are different social or economic brackets ranging from the poverty stricken and malnourished to the extremely wealthy – mostly politicians and business people. The middle class is growing.” Corresponding with Forbes was slow, as he had limited access to a computer. And yet, Forbes sees rapid progress in Benin. “I often times say that they are experiencing the same amount of development in 10 years as we Americans saw in 100 years,” he said. “For example, you will often find people in the remotest villages with cell phones. In agriculture, they are jumping now directly from hand tilled fields to tractor tilled fields.”
Since July 2007, Aaron Forbes has been serving with the Peace Corps in Benin at a home for at-risk youths
Monroe man helps West African youths
He's been serving with the Peace Corps in Benin since 2007, helping at-risk youths.
Kim Becknell Williams
Posted: Sunday, Jun. 21, 2009
Aaron Forbes is a long way from his Monroe home. Since July 2007, he has been serving with the Peace Corps in Benin, West Africa, at a home for at-risk youths.
Forbes had an interest in joining the Peace Corps as a high school student. A few years after graduating from the University of New Orleans with a bachelor's degree in international studies, he applied to the Peace Corps.
He has been working at the Center for Education, Training and Community Development, a home for children – mostly orphans – between ages 8 and 18 who have been rescued from child-trafficking rings, forced marriage and malnutrition.
Forbes explained that the home provides education and apprentice training in different trades, including agriculture, gardening and animal husbandry. He is a caretaker, teacher and assistant in agricultural development.
“Every day is a challenge, working in a very different culture and in a place where resources are limited,” he said in an e-mail. “But the children make it all worthwhile. This has been an unforgettable experience.”
Forbes finishes his volunteer assignment in October. While living in Benin, he has adjusted to the different lifestyle. “The majority of people make their living off subsistence farming,” he said. “There are different social or economic brackets ranging from the poverty stricken and malnourished to the extremely wealthy – mostly politicians and business people. The middle class is growing.”
Corresponding with Forbes was slow, as he had limited access to a computer. And yet, Forbes sees rapid progress in Benin. “I often times say that they are experiencing the same amount of development in 10 years as we Americans saw in 100 years,” he said. “For example, you will often find people in the remotest villages with cell phones. In agriculture, they are jumping now directly from hand tilled fields to tractor tilled fields.”
The majority of people are animists, but many practice Christianity and some are Muslims. (Random House Dictionary defines animism as “the belief that natural objects, natural phenomena, and the universe itself possess souls or consciousness.”) As many as 50 languages are spoken.
Forbes and co-volunteers are raising funds to construct a food-processing center at the home. It will improve the nutrition of youths and local villagers, train youths and villagers in food-processing activities, and help bring the center closer to financial autonomy.
“Our home is growing and activities are developing rapidly,” Forbes said. “Most importantly our children are growing and learning. They will ultimately be the real catalysts for sustainable change in their community.”
