Back home in Benin, I realized that Bohicon, the city where I was raised did not change at all. There were still the same poor neighborhoods, very few jobs and almost non-existent activities for young people. Most shockingly, a major problem of street garbage dumps was still occurring, with no functioning solution on the horizon. I felt embarrassed for my country and decided that it was time for me to do something about the situation. I wanted to do something very big. Something that will put a dent in the history. 

 

I looked for a unique solution for the three problems that I found in the city: lack of jobs, lack of activity for young people and a poor waste management system. With the help of an old friend from High School, I came up with the project BP100, that gets young people together to remove all the piles of trashes on the streets. The concept is to invite 500 volunteers to a cleaning campaign, in a party atmosphere, every week end, with the goal of making Bohicon, the Cleanest City in Benin by 2025. It’s only after putting the project in place, that I realized that this could have an impact beyond everything that I imagined.

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Cleaning my childhood city is not just the right thing to do. Inspired by the example of Rwanda’s economic growth in the last few years, I strongly believe that it’s also the very first step towards prosperity for the inhabitants of Bohicon. Many jobs will be created from this action. Combined with entertainment for the youth and education on the subject of garbage management, a well-maintained environment is a very promising industry that will ensure a transition to a profitable living model in the future.

 

In fact, value of the lands that we clean is expected to go up once there is no more giant pile of trashes on it. By scaling that idea to the entire city and mixing it up with an idea of entertainment, we are creating a new concept that will bring major economic changes in Bohicon (Attractiveness of the City for business and houses development, creation of new sectors of activities etc...). Not to mention that this will strengthen the community by bringing people together for 2-3 hours per week.

 

On another hand, according to World Health Organization the vast majority of infectious diseases in Benin and Africa in general are due to poor waste management (large opened garbage dumps in the neighborhoods). Cleaning the environment will then mean, less hospital expenses for people (already poor), and more time being healthy and generating wealth to take care of their families.

 

The Project BP100, hosted by the NGO COSED, is a holistic approach on development, that uses the concept of “Clean City” to generate economic growth for cities in Africa, Health and dignity for the people. We are using a powerful force that has been neglected in Africa for very long. The power of unity. Young people in the community are waiting for the opportunity to be an active part of the development in their country.

 

In order to demonstrate the efficiency of this great concept, I’m going around the globe to get the financial support, technical support, expertise and the equipment that we need. I am also bringing together all the dreamers like me, who want to participate in making the world a better place for everyone. I'd like to count on you to reach this goal. Wherever you are in the world, your help goes a long way. Check out our different options to be part of the project BP100.