Coaching Benin
All our programs in Benin include free weekend
sightseeing of Cotonou city center and French lessons. You can also join the other subsequent four to five (4-5) days sightseeing which include the Porto Novo and Abomey Calivi.
This information is the same in all our sports centers in Africa but the programs and projects in these centers are not the same. STAESA physical training is designed to include students, coaches, trainers, retired footballers, physiotherapist and one with or without coaching skills. Participants will be working with local sport teams (running teams, local football teams and volley ball team) in schools, orphanages and the communities. This program aimed at strengthening physical training programs in schools/orphanages/communities, taking kids from the streets, show casing the talents of kids in the communities, organizing football games to support campaign against drug abuse, child abuse, women abuse, child trafficking, strengthen and develop programs to bring the orphanages in the communities together in sports activities.
OUR AREAS OF FOCUS THIS YEAR IN BENIN
Working with Football team
Working with Volleyball team
Do you have any other sports you will like to teach the kids, lets us know and we will make it our mission to make it happen.
Are you a sport person? Are you sport professional? A retired or a students, a psychologist or physiotherapist this is the right program for you. Our coaching program is the perfect opportunity to enable you make a valuable contribution to sustainable sports development in Africa.
Project location very safe, Communities very welcoming and the people are very lovely to work with. STAESA project is run in both rural and urban areas in Benin. Weekends are always free for the volunteers to travel for sightseeing. There are lot of benefits awaits you for joining us. Contact us for these benefits.
Please note: you will first been taking through an observation period – kind of showing you how to go about the program for a day or two before you will be allowed to handle the program on your own. We assure you the program is very safe, very educative and full of fun! You will not like to go back home after the program. You are never alone on the program. From start to finish we are 24/7 with you.
This program also focuses on the orphans and street kids. The orphanages and street kids are sidelined when it comes to sports programs. We made it our mission to bring these kids in the orphanages into limelight. The program is also use as a hub of sports men and women where the national sports council tap for qualify sports boys and girls. STAESA the initiators of this project have become aware of an increase in circumstances of abuse, trafficking and neglect involving children in the communities and their surrounding villages. STAESA felt the need to use this program to provide a service to such kids, which will help decrease or alleviate these social vices as well as strain on the victims and their families.
Other Information and locations!
As a volunteer, get ready to give back to the communities and gain more experience while immersing yourself in the unique culture of the people of Benin. This is an amazing busy program. You will be working full time along aside with well experienced program manager. Depending on your skills and your areas of interest, you will be placed with local athletes, football team, volleyball team or basketball team. These teams are poor in terms of resources such as training kits, football, jerseys and coaches. There are great great need here ( If possible, you can bring along with you new or old jerseys, balls or any other kits and equipment).
The location of our programs are well picked where you will be placed and work directly with local folks under the supervision of well experienced manager in charge of the programs/projects.
You can also choose any of these programs to work with during your free days or hours. Helping in the orphanage, Helping on the farm, Helping in painting works in the hospital, Helping in the schools and helping at the pre-schools. This is really a life changing experience. Speak to us. We are ready to help you and to make it happen. This is the program you can really give back to the community.
The program provides an opportunity for you to immerse yourself into the very unique culture of Benin.
LOCATIONS:
Cotonou - Near Togo ( The French speaking country) and the ocean
Lekossa - Near the ocean and other interesting places to visit
Working hours and reponsibilities!
Generally volunteers work from 08:00.-12:00 a.m. and 13:00-16:00 p.m. However, your exact working hours are adjusted according to the activities at your work place. You´re permitted to take a day off once in a while. Week-ends are completely free time for all our volunteers to travel round the country.
Responsibilities:
Your schedules include the following below and many more that will be discussed with you upon arrival.
-To coach and provide PT program to the orphanages, school and the communities
-Development of team strategies; analyze performance (physical therapy) of football team, volley ball team and basket ball team in the community/school/orphanages and adjust strategies as needed.
-Coordinate team travel arrangements.
-Scouting and recruiting more players into the final school, orphanage and community football team.
-Coordinate coach's clinic
- If necessary supervise dress code for staff and team member.
The program allows volunteers to combine working at the schools, orphanage, youth/women center with sport course. Assists in the center, school and orphanage in the morning and run a spot course in the afternoon.
Other Information and locations!
PROJECT
Program date. All year round.
Placement duration. 2wks to 1y max.
Requirements. No requirements.
Working hours. Mon-Fri. 8am-4pm.
AIRPORT
Cardinal Bernadin Gantin International Airport Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport
ACCOMMODATION
Host family, Independent and Accommodation on site. Located very close to the projects with facilities such as water, light, ventilation, bed, toilet, bathroom and kitchen.
HOW TO GET TO WORK
By public transport it cost less. than one dollar ( return)
LAUNDRY
Self laundry by hands.
FOOD
Yes! Three meals per day. and Lunch mostly at work.
VISA
Yes! Visa is required.
COST OF VISA
Call the embassy for current cost of visa.
TYPE OF VISA
Tourist visa (Multiple visa).
COMMUNICATION
Local sim card is provided.
INTERNET
Internet modem provided and return after the program.
VACCINATIONS
Yellow Fever (Compulsory) Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Diphtheria are not necessary though. We recommend that you contact a travel clinic near you at least 3 months before traveling.
Safety in Benin
Benin is a small country situated under in West Africa. It is one of the safest countries in Africa. Its neighbor, Nigeria is not safe at all. If you are adventurous enough to experience African life as a volunteer or an intern, this is one of the best countries to do it. As in anyplace, petty crime such as pick pockets could be a problem for you if you do not remain aware of your surroundings.
Take note of unwanted attention that you will receive as a single young, white female or male traveler. A lot of this attention will be preferential, with people being extra kind or extra helpful. But you will also receive countless marriage proposals daily. Never be rude and just accept it as the playful offer that it is intended to be. If you are not married, you can avoid a lot of this by telling unwanted suitors about your " husband" and the "three children" you have with him.
Working hours and reponsibilities!
PLEASE NOTE
Benin people are caring and welcoming. They welcome tourists, volunteers and foreigners to their country as they help them settle well. Kindness and happiness are attributes of Benin's people. But, like Ghana and Togo there is real poverty in Benin and you will soon realize that you are far richer and more fortunate than most local people you meet. You will probably attract your fair share of souvenir hawkers and beggars, but try and take the time to meet ordinary people going about their day to day business too. The experience will be worth it. Don't be afraid to step out of your house, just take some precautions.
Weather in Benin
The climate of Benin is tropical and its all year round and there are two main seasons: the wet and the dry seasons. North of Benin experiences its rainy season from March to November while South Benin experiences its rainy season from April to mid-November. The tropical climate of Benin is relatively mild for its latitude. The harmattan, a dry desert wind, blows in north-east Benin from December to March, lowering the humidity and causing hot days and cool nights in northern part of Benin
When to go
You can join us anytime in the year! Anytime in the month! Anytime in the week
Kind of clothes you should pack for your trip to Benin
Jeans and Trousers: blue jeans, cotton trousers, khaki trousers, Light Shirts and Blouses: T-Shirts, short sleeve shirts and long sleeved shirts to protect you from insects and even sunburn. Shorts also for your free days. Socks and underwear: Once again it is best that they are made from natural fabrics since again it is the heat and this way you have less of a chance for heat rash. Shoes: Good leather shoes, sandals, and a lightweight pair of Hiking boots if you will doing some hiking.
Kind of luggage you should take
It all begins with the right suitcases or suitcase. It also depends where you coming from. If you are coming from North America you get to bring 2 suitcases and 50 pounds each, from Europe it is almost half that. It means one has to be practical and take in mind what your plans are once you arrive in Africa, where you will be going and what you will be doing while here.
Keep all essentials like the pill, malaria pills, essential medicine, debit and credit cards, camera and your toothbrush in your hand luggage. Also put one set of clothing if the unthinkable happens that your luggage is temporarily lost. Money Belt: One that will allow you to carry your passport also. Do not wear your money on the outside of your clothing.