JOURNEY TO BENIN: LIFE IN WEST AFRICA

For children in the slums of Benin, daily life in the West African country is full of hardships. Illegal trafficking of youths continues to trouble the country. The average Beninese worker earns $1,100 a year. But free speech, high voter turnout and a commitment to change give many in the infant democracy hope for the future. Y-Press, a local youth news organization, recently traveled to the cradle of voodoo to learn about Beninese youths and culture in the peaceful nation. See its report on A12-13.

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ONLINE EXTRA

Immerse yourself in Benin's culture and people with our multimedia report. See videos from the Y-Press team on its experiences in Benin, photos from the trip and more at IndyStar.com/Ypress.