The “Centre de Formation Liweitari” (CFL) was founded in 2009 by the Swiss Heinrich Roth. Nowadays, the center is managed by locals and a well-known address for good quality training in all of the country.
To the CFL it is important to offer the opportunity for training to members of all social classes and regardless of belonging to any tribe, religion or gender. The youths are trained to be responsible, energetic persons, who stimulate the development of the country.
We guarantee quality. Our trainings are guided by high standards and an excellent equipment. We ensure a good mixture of practice and theory so that every apprentice successfully completing his training will be a specialist in his field and can adopt a leading role in an enterprise and in the economic development.
The CFL currently trains young people (the majority of our apprentices is between 16 and 25) in 6 sectors:
We deliberately chose these domains, as those are the ones with the highest demand in the country. By a proper masonry the quality of the often poor houses can be improved. Moreover, huge buildings for enterprises and other organisations have to be constructed, which are needed for growing the domestice economy.
A further step is the provide the population with electricity to enable them a longer productive working. As a consequence, children will be able to even study in the evening hours. But not only the industry is reinforced by a covering electrification, but free time activites become more flexible, too.
In addition, it is indespensable for the country’s economy to be ensued with well-trained mechanics. Since the use of technical components and machines is already growing and will surely continue to do so, it is necessary to properly do mechanical work and processes like welding, turning, drilling, etc. Only in this way industry can develop and metal parts can be produced inside the country.
By adding the training for car mechanics, we reacted to the increased number of vehicles on the streets of Benin. The maintenance and services at the time were of poor quality. At the CFL, the apprentices are taught to sustainably remove defects in order to put the cars in to service again for many years.
The training in organic agriculture aims to ensure a sustainable, reliable supply in food despite of a rapidly growing population and the climate change. Ecological cultivation not only increases crop yields, but also saves natural resources. It is also part of the project to strengthen water resources.
Concluding, the CFL succeeds in participating in sustainably improving the country’s structures, while helping many youths to take charge of their lives and shape their futures. At the same time, nature and its resources are protected and preserved.
1. Administration and class rooms
2. Electrics
3. Metal construction (Polymechanic)
4. Masonry
5. Machine room (Polymechanic)
6. Car mechanic
7. EPAL
8. Sanitation
9. Accommodation for male apprentices
10. Accommodation for female apprentices
11. Apartment for supervisor
12. Common room”Paillotte”
13. Sports field
July 2008: A building plot of 8,500 square meters is acquired
January 2009: Start of construction work
June 2009: Main building with workshop in shell construction
October 2009: Start of the first training course for metalworkers/mechanics and bricklayers
February 2012: The CFL is officially recognized and registered as an NGO
January 2013: Workshop and apprentice accommodation are expanded
October 2014: Start of the first training course for electricians
February 2016: Receipt of the Accord Cadre, the highest state award for non-governmental organizations
June 2016: Handover of the management to long-time employee Michel Adimi
October 2019: Start of the first training courses in car mechanics and organic farming (EPAL)
November 2019: Renewal of the Accord Cadre
September 2022: Start of the first training course in the art of sewing
