Profile: Eugenie Assiba Agoli-Agbo

Name: Eugenie Assiba Agoli-Agbo

Age: 58

Occupation: High School Assistant Principal

Lives With: Her daughter, age 31, and son-in-law, age 34

When I think of America, I think: The US is the biggest force in the world. It is the strongest economy in the world. There are lots of resources there. Because of American films and television, we see lots of images of violence, theft and drugs. Students use guns to kill people in schools. We’ve seen that on the news.

Americans should know about Benin: Benin is a country of about nine million people in West Africa. We share a border with Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso and Niger. Our country covers about 114,600 square kilometers. In the north, we have mountains. In the south, we have forests. We are a nation of more than 80 ethnic groups, each with a unique language and culture.

Languages spoken: Torri, Dengbi, Mina, Yoruba, Goun, Fon, French, English, Spanish

Education: High school diploma plus five-year teaching certificate and professional license.

Profile: Adonisse Couton

Name	Adonisse Couton
Age	27
Occupation	Unemployed Social Worker
Lives With:	Mother, age 57; father, age 62
When I think of America, I think:	I don’t know much about the US. I’ve never worked with an American or had an American friend so I don’t know much about the country.
Americans should know about Benin:	I can’t explain all of Benin. There is a lot here and I invite all Americans to come and visit. I hope that the relationship between Benin and the US continues to strengthen.
Languages spoken:	French, Goun, Fon
Education:	Graduated from university.

 

Profile: Yves Mindin

Name	Yves Mindin
Age	59
Occupation	Jewelry artist and decorator; Factory worker
Lives With:	Lives by himself.
When I think of America, I think:	America is the country of intelligence. It is a country with financial security. A country of inventions.
Americans should know about Benin:	Benin is a country of intelligence, too. We are strivers. We don’t have oil, gold or other natural resources. But we work hard to have a good life. You have to be very intelligent to make that happen with so few natural resources.
Languages spoken:	French, English, Goun, Fon, Yoruba
Education:	Through 12th grade; no diploma.

 

Profile: Ida Gbovi

Name	Ida Gbovi
Age	27
Occupation	Factory worker
Lives With:	Husband and three daughters: age 6, age 4, age 6 months.
When I think of America, I think:	America is a good country. Americans are very intelligent.
Americans should know about Benin:	We work hard here. We work a lot. To make a life here, to find something to eat, we work hard.
Languages spoken:	French, Goun, Fon, Yoruba
Education:	Through 11th grade.

Profile: Gerard Sagbo

Name	Gerard Sagbo
Age	39
Occupation	Entrepreneur and Small Business Owner
Lives With:	Wife and three daughters: age 6, age 4, age 6 months.
When I think of America, I think:	America is a well organized country capable of participating in the development of other countries.
Americans should know about Benin:	Benin is a small country next to the large Nigeria. Nigeria is much better known than us. Americans should know that Benin is small but very capable, too. There are lots of men, women and children here working to contribute to the development of our nation.
Languages spoken:	French and Goun
Education:	Through 9th grade.

Profile: Pierre Adamon

Pierre in the barber’s chair in his shop.

Name:	Pierre Adamon
Age:	25
Occupation:	Barber
Lives with:	Lives by himself.
When I think of America, I think:	I don’t know much about the U.S.
Americans should know about Benin:	Beninese people are friendly and warm. We like meeting people from all countries. We want to improve ourselves. We aren’t looking for money but for training that can help us improve.
Languages spoken:	Goun, Torri
Education:	Completed one year of schooling in Nigeria.

Standing outside of his barber shop.

Profile: Geoffroy Haunkanrin

Name:	Geoffroy Haunkanrin
Age:	23
Occupation:	Tailor’s Apprentice (in 5th year of 5 year apprenticeship)
Lives with:	Mother, age 39; Father, age 50; 5 brothers and 5 sisters
When I think of America, I think:	Barrack Obama is the president.
Americans should know about Benin:	We cultivate the land and raise animals. Both are very important here. Vodun is also very important. That is the religion and tradition of our ancestors.
Languages spoken:	French, Goun, Torri
Education:	Through 7th grade.

 

Profile: Mathieu Toviehou

Name:	Mathieu Toviehou
Age:	29
Occupation:	Teacher
Lives with:	Father, age 59; mother, age 42; sister, age 33; brother, age 17; father’s second wife, age 40; half sister, age 22; half brothers, age 25, 19, 12
When I think of America, I think:	The US is a world power that uses its diplomatic force to help Benin and the rest of the world.
Americans should know about Benin:	Our lifestyle in Benin is traditional. Families have solidarity. If someone in the family has a problem, that is the concern of the whole family.
Languages spoken:	French, Goun, Torri
Education:	Graduated from university.