Center for Troubled Youth, Cotonou (Ages 18+)

Project Details
Established in 1991, this center currently serves around 60 teenage boys and girls that come from troubled homes, the streets, are victims of trafficking or are runaways. The primary function of the center is to teach the boys a technical trade such as carpentry, electrical or metal work, assisting them to reintegrate into society and in to their families where possible. There is a separate house for girls teaching many necessary skills for working and their future.

Program Costs

4 weeks: $1,630
6 weeks: $1,760
8 weeks: $1,950

Volunteer Abroad Program Fees

Fees may be paid by personal check, money order or credit card.

Included	Not Included
Lodging/3 meals per day	Airfare
Arrival pick-up at airport	In-country transportation
Medical/accident insurance	Phone cards
24 hour emergency staff	Internet
Predeparture and Arrival Orientation

Volunteer Responsibilities
Help is needed in many different areas including tutoring, organizing recreational activities, leading skills workshops, helping with technical education classes, mentoring, and counseling. Volunteers must be patient and open-minded to work with children that come from such difficult situations. The primary focus of the volunteer is to share themselves with the children through encouragement, support and lots of care!

Accommodations and Meals
Volunteers will stay with carefully screened host families for the duration of the program. Two meals during the week and three on weekends with your host family are included in your stay.

Location
The home is located in Cotonou, Benin’s largest city. All volunteers will be taken to a host family upon arrival and will participate in a three day orientation to Beninois culture and their project.

Transportation and Travel Arrangements
All travel arrangements must be booked according to Greenheart Travel instructions. Booking travel is your responsibility, but we are more than happy to help you as needed. A volunteer coordinator will meet you at the airport in Cotonou upon your arrival and arrange your transportation to your host family. Upon arrival in Cotonou you will have an orientation for about two days before arriving on the volunteer site.
Depending on the location of your host family you may be within walking distance to your work site or a short bus ride away. Greenheart Travel does not cover any bus fare used in transit to the work site.

Local Support
Greenheart Travel always provides you with a thorough network of support before departure and during your time abroad. You will be provided with pre-departure orientation materials that will walk you through every step of your program. Your local coordinator, host family, and volunteer site supervisor are more than happy to address questions or difficulties that you may have at anytime during your program.

Dates
Projects run from 2 to 12 weeks. Start dates for 2010 are:

March 8, March 29, April 12, April 26, May 10, May 23, June 7, June 21, July 5, July 19, August 2, August 16, September 6, September 20, October 4, October 17

Requirements
Experience or education in counseling, teaching and/or childcare is helpful, but not required. An intermediate level of French is required. French lessons are available prior to the volunteer project for an additional fee.