Students at the Allansankomey Public Primary School (EPP) in Ouèdo, in the Abomey-Calavi community of southern Benin, were excited to attend the handover ceremony of their new school dining hall on 7 February, 2025. The donation from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides students with a clean and comfortable environment for meals as they attend school.
Ribbon cutting ceremony celebrates donation of dining hall to school on 5 February 2025.
Ribbon cutting ceremony celebrates donation of dining hall to school on 7 February 2025.© 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The new dining hall, which was built from the ground up for the school, includes a kitchen, terrace, serving counter, and the eating area with eight tables and sixteen benches. Constructed in just four months, it is equipped with electricity to power the equipment and to light the hall and is plumbed for indoor water supply and drainage.
Attending the event were the mayor of Abomey-Calavi, the head of the Abomey-Calavi school district, the school’s principal and headmistress, teachers, students, and a delegation from the Church to present the facility to the school.
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Mayor Angelo Ahouandjinou, who would like to see more private sector involvement in education development, declared: “I am very proud of the action you have taken, dear members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are supporting the government in its efforts to keep children in school through the school canteen program. You are providing them with a suitable environment to eat well, rest, and resume their studies in better conditions. This gesture will contribute to improving academic performance in this school.”
Idani Chabi, the school’s principal, referred to the Church’s efforts and donation as “a gift from the heart,” and Nicodème Fanou Boco, a student representative, added, "This morning, I feel very happy because the donors have given us a wonderful place where we can now sit and eat, so we will no longer dirty our notebooks and classrooms."
Representing the Church was Léandre Adimou, National Director of Communication, who explained to those in attendance the source of funding for this project: “Every first Sunday of the month, our members fast by refraining from two consecutive meals. The money saved is given to the bishop and then transferred into a common fund dedicated to helping the community. In other words, it is money of faith, used to assist people regardless of race or status.”
Students of the school, in a show of gratitude and joy, performed dances and singing to celebrate the occasion.