On October 7, 2026, A+ Bénin, Fondation Canal+, and CanalBox, through their Programme Orphée, donated 100 school kits to children at Village d'Enfants SOS d'Abomey-Calavi. The kits included school bags, notebooks, pens, khaki blankets, textbooks, and other school supplies. This initiative is part of Fondation Canal+'s solidarity program aimed at supporting children in difficult situations.
The handover ceremony took place in the presence of representatives from Canal+ Bénin, Fondation Canal+, A+ Bénin, and SOS Villages d'Enfants. Bio Sacca Orou Gado, speaking on behalf of the manager of SOS Villages d'Enfants, expressed gratitude for the support, stating that it addresses concrete needs at the start of the new school year. He praised the gesture, saying it not only provides school supplies but also serves as encouragement for the children and a sign of confidence in their future.
The operation is not limited to the provision of school supplies. According to Cléli Azokpota, the general director of A+ Bénin, this action marks the beginning of a collaboration that will continue over the coming months. Workshops will be organized with audiovisual professionals to introduce the children to different careers in the sector and allow them to interact with those who work in it. A+ Bénin aims to spark their curiosity and inspire vocations.
Another activity is planned for the end-of-year celebrations. Canal and its partners plan to return to Village d'Enfants SOS d'Abomey-Calavi during Christmas to inaugurate a new media center that can accommodate over 200 people. Cléli Azokpota emphasized that these actions should contribute to opening new perspectives for the children, encouraging them to be curious, ask questions, learn, and believe in their abilities.
The ceremony also featured three A+ Bénin animators: Frida Elisha from "On se parle cash!", Astrid Djidjoho from "Tout le monde peut jouer", and Nabirath Imorou from "Mon Beau Bénin, le Mag". They shared a moment of entertainment with the children and offered them advice on the importance of working diligently, dreaming big, and having self-confidence.
The spokesperson for the children thanked Canal+ Bénin for the school kits, affirming that they will help with their studies and urging their peers to make good use of them. The donation is part of the Orphée program, supported by Fondation Canal+, which aims to enable children in care centers and specialized structures in Africa to access education and entertainment.
The Orphée program provides educational equipment such as libraries, textbooks, televisions, and satellite dishes giving access to educational content. It also includes ongoing support with educational activities organized throughout the year, including cinema outings for the beneficiary children. This first action in Abomey-Calavi opens a series of activities announced between Canal, A+ Bénin, Fondation Canal+, and Village d'Enfants SOS.
Key points
- A+ Bénin and Fondation Canal+ have donated 100 school kits to Village d'Enfants SOS d'Abomey-Calavi.
- The partnership includes plans for future collaborations, such as workshops and a new media center.
- The initiative aims to support children in difficult situations and promote education and entertainment.
