For the first time in Blossom Together's history, we traveled in the winter. Led by our Princeton team, 8 volunteers headed to Benin and Mali in January 2026 - different season, same mission.
Year:
2026
Project Destination (s):
Benin, Mali
Trip Duration:
14 days (BEN)
Key Projects:
5 water wells
100+ cataract surgeries
100+ food packages
Overview:
Eight volunteers touched down in Benin for 14 days of water wells, cataract surgeries alongside Clinique Humanity First, and community visits that took us from a primary school in Tori-Bossito to the stilt village of Ganvie on Lake Nokoue. Not too far across the border, a separate effort brought cataract surgeries and food packages to Mali.
Impact:
The numbers tell part of the story: 5 water wells, 100+ cataract surgeries across Benin and Mali, and 100+ food packages distributed on the ground. In addition, the Princeton team spent time stateside preparing school supplies that were brought directly to students in Benin. The rest of the story is the 8 volunteers who gave up their winter break, and the students and supporters back home who spent all year making it possible.
Highlights:
The work was the priority - but the moments in between will stay with our travelers. A boat tour of Ganvie, the largest stilt village in Africa. A meeting with three diplomats at the US Embassy. Two countries, one winter, countless memories. Shout out to everyone who made the journey: Hilal Akman, Danny Torres, Shahd Nimir, Matthew Phillips, Suheyla Akman, Luca Hardy, Willem Maniago, and Salsawi Yitayew.
