Khaki for Benin

As I promised, today's article is devoted to one of the most important projects in which I was able to participate! Hacks for Benin or help for African children to receive education.
In the African country of Benin, which is located in the south-west of the continent, the education system (school) is as follows: public schools are free, but you need to have a special khaki uniform, which is a "pass" to the school. Unfortunately, not every family can afford the uniform khaki, which costs $ 15. For us, the price is negligible, but for the African families it is a luxury.
During one of the practices in Benin, there one Canadian student went who later organized the project "Khaki for Benin." Nowadays, he and two other young people help children in this country to get free education ...

At one of our lessons "French in Montreal" we went to a meeting with one of the members of the project, Melanie, and we (our group) were so impressed that we decided to hold a small share to help the children of Benin. No sooner said than done. We started to work hard and plan ideas ...

Selling food in school that is full of hungry students and teachers? Why not? Cakes, muffins, cookies, sandwiches, scones ... But I would like to tell you more about this day...
9 AM in the morning, I'm at school with cupcakes, which I wanted to kill more than to eat (rush hour, bus, metro, you should understand)
But fortunately for both: for cupcakes and for me - I arrived without damage and, most important is that I came in time!
It was necessary for us (me and my group, NOT me and cookies) to come up with the concept of selling food. Told to do! Gathered thought decided. Fast, short and clear. We only had half an hour for preparation and cooking (folded sandwiches, cut cakes, decomposed cookies) everything! In time. Phew ...
We decided to share all into two intervals: 10.30 - pause for 15 minutes, 12.00 - hour break (lunch)
So, the first pause of 15 minutes.
"Well, who would buy this food? No one!" It's funny, but we were wrong. All fly away in a matter of minutes. The stuff that we planned to sell in an hour and a half, almost ended in 15 minutes. We were shocked. We still had an hour, but nothing to sell.

But a brilliant idea came to our heads. Coffee! Sell ​​coffee! No sooner said than done. We headed to the café (which is three floors below) and asked for help. We have not given up. Grateful, because we were given two containers and absolutely free! But bad luck, nobody bought coffee. What to do ... Advertising! "Attention, attention, this is the best coffee in your life," "Starbucks resting", "I see in your eyes that you want," "Coffee of your homeland! Remember my country!" 


Shouts, screams, but there was one case that could create only an idiot like me!!
While we were trying to attract buyers, one of my classmates was talking with a friend. The thought that flashed through my mind was like this: "You can not lose a customer!". Rushed up to them, I put the prettiest smile on my face and said:
- I see it in your eyes. You're dreaming of coffee!
- But I don't like coffee.
- But, I can see that you want it!
- Yes, there is. I do not drink coffee.
- Then maybe a bagel?
- No, I think not.
"You can not leave it so! Go the other way!" * I made my  pleadingly face * (people who know me know what it is, for others I will describe: huge and sad, but honest eyes, eyebrows like a corner (I don't know how to describe that in English) and protruding lower lip (again I don't know how to explain))
* Man covering his face with his hand *
- Do not look at me like that! Do not like when girls are doing like that!
- If you buy coffee, I'll smile!
* It takes 3 minutes, the guy goes away, but he returns one minute later *
- One coffee, standart.
* A smile lights up my face and I turn to speak to the teacher and tell her what happened, and she says to me *
- Anastasia, it's the manipulation!
- But it works!
* Later, I wondered whether I can sometimes use this trick to evade homework (because you can not refuse when I have such a face!),  and the the answer was *
- Do you want to manipulate me?
- And why I can't try?
Conclusion: my friends,do not fall under my pretty faces!
So in the end, we collected $ 390, and it is 26 uniforms.
Today, we have changed 26 lifes!
Do good! It will definitely come back!




















http://kaki.revolublog.com/   - site of this organisation



August 5, 2014