Benin is one of the poorest countries in the world, but it also has been hailed as the poster child for democracy.

Between Nigeria and Togo, this western African country is about the size of Pennsylvania but has about the same number of people as Indiana -- 7.46 million. Benin has 60 ethnic groups and is the birthplace of voodoo.

Since Oct. 21, six Y-Press members have talked to the people of Benin and experienced firsthand what life is like for them. The young reporters are accompanied by two chaperones and an Indianapolis Star photographer.

Today, for example, the Y-Press members are interviewing young people in Benin's National Youth Council and from the Agency of Young Reporters of Environment, Habitat and Health in the city of Cotonou.

The team will go back to Indianapolis on Tuesday and continue its research. A package of stories will appear in The Star in a few months.

Why did Y-Press pick Benin for an in-depth reporting project?

While researching the Western African country, Y-Press members found plenty of articles about Benin's adults, but nothing about its young people.

"We believe that the youth of Benin have a compelling story to tell, which no other adult (media) outlet has even considered," wrote Keisha Mitchell and Elisabeth Randall, who are members of the Benin travel team and who also wrote the original proposal urging Y-Press to visit.

"At this turbulent and formative time in Africa's history, Y-Press has an amazing opportunity to tell the important and overlooked story of Benin's youth."

Here are some of the questions the Benin team hopes to answer:

Do children value democracy and feel that Benin's democracy is working for them?

How do their answers compare with those of American teens?

What roles do Beninese young people play in civic life?

How prevalent is child slavery, and how is it defined?

What rights do women have?

What are the conflicts between tribal traditions and modern law?

Formerly known as Dahomey, Benin gained its independence from France in 1960. But much of the French culture remains. For instance, the official language is French. The legal systems of the two countries are similar, too.

Perhaps the most unusual aspect of Beninese cultural history is Vodun, more commonly known as voodoo, which originated in Benin. About half of the people practice voodoo or other native religions involving spiritual beings. Another 30 percent are Christians, and 20 percent are Muslims.

Benin has primarily an agricultural economy, with a large cotton industry, as well as corn and livestock. The country is, however, very poor, and few of its people can read. Only 46 percent of males older than 15 are literate. The number shrinks to 22 percent of females.

The government of Benin is much like that of the United States, but its president is elected every five years. Y-Press members learned that Benin has one of the more stable governments of West Africa compared to other countries, including Rwanda, where civil strife has become almost commonplace.

"I think that the most exciting and the most nerve-racking part about this trip is how, for lack of a better word, unique the experience will be," said Elisabeth. "We've prepared and done our research, of course, but I just can't be entirely sure what to expect."

Check blogs and see more photos from the Y-Press trip to Benin by visiting www.indystar.com.