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Organization	Les Amis de la Saint-Camille
Region	Benin
Website	Website
Facebook	Facebook
Twitter	N/A
ProjectLeader	Sylvain Ratel

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Association Saint-Camille (ASC) is a comprehensive mental health provider which will open the first addiction residential center in Dassa, Benin, anticipated to receive patients Spring 2023. A new well, water tower, and irrigation system will supply six hectares (15 acres) with water for 600 cashew and fruit trees. The project with supply a source of nutrition, income, and employment to patients in recovery. This project is important also toward the ASC goal of financial self-sufficiency.

Challenge

Association Saint-Camille (ASC) serves approximately 1900 patients in residential centers in Benin of whom 94% return to their families. Others enter a rehabilitation center to learn job skills. ASC operates an extensive outpatient clinical program as well. These patients are often shunned, abandoned, and at times, chained, due to a belief that the person is possessed or contagious. ASC provides education and treatment at usually no cost to families and patients due to their inability to pay.

Long-Term Impact

The potential long-term impact is improved rehabilitation of the recovered patients into gainful employment and farming or other pursuits of their choosing. A potential cash crop, as any surplus of cashews, can be sold competitively, and help defray a portion of the expenses of operating a center free, or at a minimal charge, to patients.