cost of living

This latest entry in my attempt to explain life in Benin involves the price of various things (I hope the title didn’t ruin the surprise). As this is a poor country one would most things to be priced relatively inexpensively as compared to the first world. This is largely true. In fact, the only exception to this is that foreign made (foreign to Benin) products that must be imported such as American candy. Some imported items would apparently be so cost prohibitive that they are not even available here, or at least very difficult to find. This includes European and American beer (although Guinness is everywhere), good quality cuts of meat and most common name brands of foodstuffs.

So, here’s the list. I’ve included conversions to make it easier to see the actual cost of things. (Remember, volunteers are on a very limited budget so some of these things are actually relatively expensive for us regardless of the actual cost.) The conversion rate fluctuates of course but I have used 500 francs to the dollar. The rate has hovered near there since our arrival.

Item francs dollars
Beer 300 - 800 $.60 – 1.60
Coke 250 – 350 .50 - .70
Bread 100 .20
Toilet paper 250/roll .50
Rice 500/Kg 1.00
Rice, cooked 100 – 200 .20 - .40
Beans 300/Kg .60
Sugar 400/Kg .80
Apple 125 .25
Orange 2-4/50 2-4/.10 (seasonal)
Pineapple 100 – 200 .20 - .40
Eggs 75 each .15
Water 1/Liter ~.01/1.5 gallon
Pasta, 200gr 150 .30
US candy bar 450 .90
Other candy 150 .30
Pringles 1200 2.40
Meat s’wich 450 .90
Restaurant 2,000-10,000 4 – 20
Internet 400/hr .80/hr
Movie 1,000 - 1,500 2 – 3
Prostitute 250 .50
Pen 75 .15
Shirt 3,000 - 4,000 6 – 8
Pants 2,500 - 3,000 5 – 6
Rent (2br) 10,000 20
Taxi 800/hr 1.60/hr
Zemidjan 100/3-4mn .20/3-4mn

Some notes about this list. The prices listed are generally for Ketou, some things (taxis and zemidjans) cost a little more or less in other parts of the country. Some things (internet access) are not available in Ketou so I’ve given an average price from what I’ve seen in other places for these. Still other things, while available in Ketou or elsewhere, I have no use or need for personally (movies and prostitutes). The prices listed for those items have been acquired form other sources, i.e., somebody told me the price.

Other than generally paying very little for most things (less than a penny for nearly a gallon and a half of water!?!) life goes on. I am continuing to give formations whenever I can. Through an unusual set of circumstances I only spent eight days in Ketou over the span of more than five weeks recently. There was a party, a PC-sponsored program for young girls, training for me, a visit to another volunteer, working with stagaires (volunteers in training) and accompanying a sick volunteer to Cotonou. While it was good to get out and see other parts of the country it was also a bit expensive and tiring. Hopefully, I’ll be able to spend more time in Ketou for a while to do some of the work I came here for as well as get some rest, do a lot of laundry and save some money for the next trips.

Speaking of trips, I should be going to Niger in October. Hopefully I’ll be able to post another update before then but who knows. Whatever happens I’ll let you know as soon as I can.