
CREDI ONG (Centre Régional de Recherche et d'Education pour un Développement Intégré) was created in 2005 with the aim of developing an aquaculture farm on the Kpotomey site, in the commune of Abomey Calavi. The organization quickly broadened its objectives after discovering the biological wealth of the wetlands in which it was based, and becoming aware of their vulnerability. The marshes constitute an environment of great biological value, producing a series of ecosystem services of great importance to the local population. Unfortunately, demographic pressure, urbanization and the spread of farming pose a real threat to these marshes and to natural resources in general.
To meet the dual challenge of protecting natural environments and helping local populations to develop, CREDI has been working for many years to create the Sitatunga Valley Community Nature Park (PNCVS), which came into being in August 2007. The Park covers an area of 80,000 ha, including the lowlands and floodplains of the Sô river valley. It has a 10-year Development and Management Plan aimed at the protection and sustainable management of its resources, taking into account the needs of local populations, whose support is essential.
With this in mind, CREDI ONG and its twenty or so employees carry out various projects on the Kpotomey site, as well as education and community support activities in close proximity to the local population. For a whole range of needs and issues that concern both it and the surrounding communities, the organization aims to be consistent and "seek a sustainable solution". The animal refuge offers the chance to discover a range of marshland animals that are difficult to observe in their natural environment, including the Sitatunga, a highly endangered aquatic antelope and symbol of the Park. A boat trip through the marshes allows you to immerse yourself in the lush vegetation, home to numerous species of varying degrees of discretion. Agro-ecology is at the heart of the activities of CREDI ONG, which is experimenting with a variety of animal and plant productions with a view to offering local populations new ways of diversifying their income: fruit juices, market gardening, fish production, rabbits... The organization also plans to develop the tourist appeal of the Kpotomey site, offering visitors an emotionally rich experience in direct contact with nature. At Park level, CREDI ONG is also involved in biodiversity monitoring.
The "Agro-ecology and Biodiversity" project offers volunteers the chance to participate in the development of CREDI ONG's activities, which aim to protect nature and its services for the benefit of local communities.
Volunteers will be involved in animal and plant production, as well as the production of fruit juices (pineapple, baobab, tamarind, etc.). The whole project is part of an integrated farming approach designed to make the most of local resources and avoid or limit the use of inputs. Feeding, market gardening, making trellis fences, fitting out antelope enclosures, maintaining vegetation in different areas of the site, packaging juices, setting up and running a small tree nursery... these are just some of the planned activities.
Depending on needs, opportunities and periods, volunteers will have the opportunity to take part in the day-to-day activities of CREDI ONG's project managers, and to provide them with support according to each person's skills and possibilities: feeding the refuge's animals, writing content to be disseminated via the organization's various communication media, monitoring biodiversity, teaching groups of children, painting frescoes to raise awareness of nature, developing an arboretum, etc.
Agro-ecology and animation projects are open to all.
People with skills or interest in wildlife photography, or artistic skills (creating frescoes with children in schools) are welcome.
Bring your musical instruments if you make them.
For a whole range of issues, CREDI ONG is looking for sustainable solutions that volunteering and the solidarity it fosters can help find. Cleanliness, plastic waste collection and disposal, land erosion, renewable energies and lighting, cooking, active education, tourist facilities (acrobranche, footbridges...)... are all subjects for which the organization lacks time and technical knowledge. If you have knowledge of the subject or would like to bring along some awareness-raising material, please don't hesitate.
Bring your own work clothes (pants, thick shoes, gloves, etc.).
- Accommodation: at Sita Lodge on the association's site, in the small hamlet of Kpotomey, a private home owned by Martial, the association's director, comprising 5 single rooms and group rooms (3-7 people). Price +/- 70 euros/month
But it is also possible to look for accommodation in the big village next door and to look for a room in Zinvié (the big village) on your own, for 70 euros a month. CREDI supports volunteers in their search for accommodation. Accommodation with a family is not possible at first, but may be possible once volunteers have arrived and become acquainted with local people.
- food: volunteers will be autonomous in shopping and cooking for themselves. For information, eating at the Sita Lodge on the project site = meal from 1,000 to 7,500 F CEFA. Eating at the Zinvié market located 1 km from the farm (count between 250 and 500 F per meal). Eating in small maquis (bar-restaurant) in Zinvié and surrounding area: between 700 and 5,000 FCFA per meal).
- Administrative and support costs for CREDI ONG: 50 euros/month (including the availability of a relay person to follow up volunteers).
- Travel costs from the airport to the project: 20 euros/trip. Volunteers are generally met at the airport.
Not needed under 90 days
You need to take your own insurance
- Accommodation: at Sita Lodge on the association's site, in the small hamlet of Kpotomey, a private home owned by Martial, the association's director, comprising 5 single rooms and group rooms (3-7 people). Price +/- 70 euros/month
But it is also possible to look for accommodation in the big village next door and to look for a room in Zinvié (the big village) on your own, for 70 euros a month. CREDI supports volunteers in their search for accommodation. Accommodation with a family is not possible at first, but may be possible once volunteers have arrived and become acquainted with local people.
- food: volunteers will be autonomous in shopping and cooking for themselves. For information, eating at the Sita Lodge on the project site = meal from 1,000 to 7,500 F CEFA. Eating at the Zinvié market located 1 km from the farm (count between 250 and 500 F per meal). Eating in small maquis (bar-restaurant) in Zinvié and surrounding area: between 700 and 5,000 FCFA per meal).
- Administrative and support costs for CREDI ONG: 50 euros/month (including the availability of a relay person to follow up volunteers).
- Travel costs from the airport to the project: 20 euros/trip. Volunteers are generally met at the airport.
- Find a project that interests you in our Open Projects
- Find your local organisation in your country of residence using our branch locator
- Get in touch with them with details about the project(s) you want to apply to. They will become your sending organisation.
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