Provide Psychiatric Medications in West Africa

Dear Friends, 

We close out 2021 in gratitude to all of our wonderful supporters of Association Saint Camille (ASC) in West Africa through GlobalGiving. ASC continues to provide mental health treatment to the "forgotten of the forgotten" under the esteemed leadership of Gregoire Ahongbonon. In October 2021 Gregoire was able to travel to the awards ceremony in Italy for the Armenian Foundation celebration of humanitarians. He was given another platform to bring attention to the plight of the mentally ill in French, West Africa.

Funding for medications remains a challenge as does finding donated medications.  This effort will continue in earnest for the foreseeable future.  ASC medication costs are approximately $950,000 USD/year.  Patient fees, farming, and bakery earnings cover a portion.  The majority is covered by grants and donations.       

The medical clinic at the Tokan-Cotonou Center in Benin is well underway.  The services will be free for the patients at ASC and at a reduced cost for the local population.  Services will include general medicine with capability for radiology, cardiology, neurology, and gastrointestinal studies as well as a much needed laboratory.  

Gregoire has been recently notified that he will be a recipient of the Chester Pierce Human Rights Award by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).  Gregoire will give a lecture at the APA annual meeting in May 2022.  Thank you again so much for your support of this amazing humanitarian and the work at ASC.  

Sincerely,

Jocelyn Bonner