Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09COTONOU252
2009-06-17 09:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Cotonou
Cable title:  

BENIN PREDEPARTURE ORIENTATION REPORT

Tags:  KPAO BN 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1245
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHCO #0252 1680946
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 170946Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0971
INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1465
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS COTONOU 000252 

PARIS FOR ARS (DWINTON)
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY),AF/W (ACOOK)

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO BN
SUBJECT: BENIN PREDEPARTURE ORIENTATION REPORT

UNCLAS COTONOU 000252

PARIS FOR ARS (DWINTON)
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY),AF/W (ACOOK)

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO BN
SUBJECT: BENIN PREDEPARTURE ORIENTATION REPORT


1. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY: On June 4,2009, the Public Affairs
Section hosted a Pre-Departure Orientation for three Education and
Exchange grantees: a Junior Staff Development Program (JSDP)
grantee, Irene Mensah, Project Officer for the African Women Food
Farmer Initiative (AWFFI) Program at the Project Hunger NGO; a
"Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages" (TESOL) grantee,
Igor Akpovo, a teacher at the University of Abomey Calavi; and, a
Humphrey grantee, Cletus Adohinzin, a Research officer at the
Population Council NGO.


2. DATE OF ACTIVITY: June 4, 2009; third quarter, FY 09.


3. PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION/OBJECTIVES: The Pre-Departure Orientation
was a good opportunity to present the challenges they will be facing
during their U.S. experience, and allow them to ask questions about
their programs.


4. MPP UMBRELLA THEMES AND AUDIENCE REACHED: Subject program meets
Post's objectives in Promoting Human Rights, Education and Mutual
Understanding, and Investing in people.


5. ACTIVITIES/IMPACT/RESULT: PAO Rhonda Watson delivered a send-off
message encouraging participants to take advantage of this
opportunity to enhance their academic and professional development,
and to return to Benin as a change agent. Cultural Affairs
Assistant Taibatou Osseni delivered a PowerPoint presentation
explaining what grantees should expect in the U.S. so that they
would be prepared to face their new cultural and academic
environment for the next two years. Four Fulbright and Humphrey
alumni were invited to share their U.S. experience with the new
grantees.

The Pre-Departure Orientation also served as an opportunity for the
PAO to award certificates to a returned Fulbright Alumnus and two
English teachers who had successfully completed the E-teacher online
training in Business English and Teaching English to Young Learners.
After the formalities, the group enjoyed refreshments, jazz music
and a discussion about tips for making the most of their experience
in the U.S.


6. NON-USG SOURCES OF IN-COUNTRY FUNDING/IN KIND SUPPORT: None


7. QUALITY OF USG SUPPORT: Excellent. The Bureau of Education and
Cultural Affairs and the International Institute of Education did a
great job by providing useful information and documentation to the
new grantees.

RAWLINGS