Peace Corps Benin

Peace Corps Volunteers across Benin celebrate women and girls by creating spaces to learn, reflect, and celebrate their achievements. From art and sports to leadership discussions and financial empowerment, Benin Volunteers carry out activities to highlight women and girls’ strength, and creativity, and potential.

The U.S. Embassy in Cotonou proudly celebrated the end of service of 16 Peace Corps Volunteers, marking a new step in the strong and lasting cooperation between the United States and Benin.
For two years, these Volunteers worked side by side with communities across Benin—teaching English, promoting health, strengthening food security, and fostering enriching cultural exchanges. Their work has touched thousands of lives and reflects the best of the United States.
This achievement is the result of a collective effort: government partners, host communities, supervisors, trainers, and organizations that supported these Volunteers throughout their service. As the saying goes, it takes a whole village—and today’s success belongs to everyone.
As they return home, the Volunteers carry with them the spirit of Benin and will continue to be ambassadors of friendship and understanding between our peoples.
Thank you for your service, dear Volunteers, and congratulations!

One of the best parts about volunteering in Benin is living in and working for beautiful nature. Our Agriculture Volunteers work to increase environmentally sustainable food productions while our RCH Volunteers encourage consumption of nutritious ingredients grown naturally. TEFL Volunteers teach environmental awareness and appreciation of nature in English clubs. A daily walk to work or the market brings us face to face with unique and beautiful trees, flowers, animals, and insects!

Peace Corps Benin volunteers are bringing English to life in their communities by teaching secondary school, leading a cross-sector camps, or facilitating English clubs. Across schools, camps, clubs, and creative, project-based learning spaces, these moments highlight the power of language to connect, inspire, and empower. Let’s keep using language to build meaningful connections.

PCV Lael partnered with children at her local youth center to create a collaborative tree with recycled materials and real leaves—part of a larger “garden of expression” theme focused on cultivating community through art. Lael has built a thriving art club, using creative activities to connect with youth and encourage self-expression. Beyond the artwork itself, her goal is to help young people see the world through a more creative lens, and to remind them that, no matter the circumstances, they have the power to create something beautiful.

Peace Corps’ first Goal focuses on sharing technical knowledge and building capacity in partnership with local experts. Cohort 36 Volunteers and their Beninese work partners gathered in Lokossa to enhance practical skills in snail, fish, and mushroom production, rural sanitation, and classroom management. We look forward to seeing these skills translate into meaningful impact back at site! -by-side

Last month, Volunteers reunited at the Peer Support Network Retreat. Participants engaged in hiking, an activity that promotes physical wellness and reflection. They even found some hippos! 🦛 Volunteers appreciated the chance to socially connect with each other, as well as taking some much deserved rest and relaxation.

Happy Women’s History Month! This year we’d like to celebrate the remarkable contributions of African women who have shaped history through leadership, creativity, and courage. 🌍
From advancing peace and protecting the environment to amplifying African culture and storytelling, these trailblazers remind us of the power of women to inspire change across communities and generations.
Today we highlight:
Leymah Gbowee – A Liberian Peace activist whose leadership helped end Liberia’s civil war
Angélique Kidjo – A Beninese Grammy-winning artist using music to promote African culture and girls’ education
Wangari Maathai – A Kenya environmental leader and founder of the Green Belt Movement
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – A Nigerian author whose writing has shaped global conversations on identity and equality
Their legacies continue to inspire women and girls across Africa and around the world.