Ezin Elie AWANOU

The President

e.awanou@ong-grandcoeur.org

I come from Benin, where I studied German Studies and taught German as a foreign language. Even at that time, I became aware of the importance of education, care, and support for people in vulnerable situations. In order to further my personal and professional development, I came to Germany with the help of an organization. At Lake Constance, I gained my first valuable experiences in supporting people with physical and intellectual disabilities. This work showed me how deeply I care about looking after people. I then successfully completed my training as a nurse and now work in an intensive care unit. The living conditions of people in particularly vulnerable situations: people with disabilities, very poor families, or orphans have always deeply moved me. To help bring about change, I co-founded the humanitarian organization GRAND COEUR in Benin in 2024 together with Hermane Gandaho. Our goal is to support people with disabilities in all areas of life and to promote their integration into society. With GRAND COEUR, we not only provide direct assistance on the ground but also offer volunteers from all over the world the opportunity to travel to Benin and actively contribute. Whether in partner hospitals or in remote villages where the needs are most urgent together, we can truly make a difference. We rely on all forms of support, whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading our message. Every contribution, big or small, helps bring hope and a brighter future to the most vulnerable people in Benin.

Julian ANSORG

Coordinator

j.ansorg@ong-grandcoeur.org

My role at GRAND COEUR is to look after members and help organise fundraising campaigns in Germany. I have been working with people with disabilities for over 10 years. I gained my first experience at a facility for people with disabilities in Ireland. I then trained as a social care worker at Lake Constance in southern Germany and studied curative education. In southern Germany, I worked with Ezin Elie Awanou ( co-founder and managing director of GRAND COEUR) in a facility for people with disabilities. I currently work in outreach assistance in Berlin, where I support people with cognitive impairments. Supporting people with disabilities is part of my life. That's why I'm very grateful to be able to actively support these people in Benin. Together, we can achieve a lot. Let's work together to create a better future for people with disabilities in Benin.

Hermane GANDAHO

Executive Director

h.gandaho@ong-grandcoeur.org

My mission is to lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of GRAND CŒUR's interventions in Benin. Holding a diploma in Social and Cultural Action Administration, I have had the opportunity to work in the social sector, tirelessly working alongside the poorest and most vulnerable in rural areas and remote villages of Benin. I have thus gained extensive experience in leading interventions aimed at improving the living conditions of vulnerable people, including children and people with disabilities. After working for many years for various humanitarian organizations, including the international NGO THE HUNGER PROJECT, and after witnessing so much suffering around me, I decided, together with my longtime friend Ezin Élie AWANOU, to co-create the NGO GRAND CŒUR to contribute to improving the living conditions of vulnerable people, particularly those with disabilities. I remain convinced that together we can truly fight for a more just world, an inclusive world where all people with disabilities can fully enjoy their rights and achieve self-determination! Yes, we can!