LTI Oedelem, a school recently recognized as a WaterWise School, is launching a new initiative for international cooperation focused on sustainable water use. The project offers third-year students the opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences through an international internship with a partner agricultural school in Akodéha, a sub-municipality of Comé in Benin. The initiative was recently acknowledged by the Oostkamp municipal council under the subsidy regulations for projects related to the town twinning with Comé.
The project builds on an existing collaboration, where, with support from the Province of West Flanders, a welding workshop is being established to train local students in the installation, maintenance, and repair of water pumps. In March/April 2027, LTI Oedelem plans to organize an international internship for a group of students active within the school as 'water ambassadors'.
During this exchange, students from both countries will collaborate on practical activities focused on sustainable water use, agriculture, and technical skills. The initiative aims to introduce young people to another culture, stimulate mutual knowledge exchange, and enhance global awareness. The experiences gained will also be shared within and beyond the school community afterwards.
For LTI Oedelem, this project aligns with the school's existing focus on sustainability, water management, and international learning. The cooperation between Oostkamp and Comé gains an additional dimension, with young people from both countries working together on the shared challenge of sustainable water management.
