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00:00 This blood bank aims to collect 50 bags in Sogbodome, a rural area in Benin, a place
00:08 where locals are reluctant to donate their blood.
00:12 People feared their blood would be used for witchcraft.
00:15 Today, blood donation advocates engage with local communities and their leaders to change
00:20 this cultural misconception.
00:23 I didn't want to donate blood.
00:25 I didn't see how I could benefit from it.
00:28 But in the end, I told myself that I should give it to save lives.
00:33 This truck helps to reassure people, especially those who are hesitant.
00:37 When they see the environment, the air conditioning, and that everything is in order, it helps
00:42 them to ultimately make the right choice.
00:46 At the end of the campaign, there are still two blood bags short of achieving their goal.
00:52 This young doctor says that getting young people on their side is crucial to changing
00:57 attitudes in the long run.
00:58 We believe that a young person between 18 and 25 who embraces the concept of blood donation
01:04 today will be a donor for the next 30 years.
01:09 The young artist, Thieff, lost a friend due to a blood shortage.
01:14 He uses his music to encourage others to donate blood.
01:18 According to the WHO, donations from just 1% of Benin's population is enough to prevent
01:24 a shortage.
01:25 The National Blood Transfusion Agency says that only 0.7% of Beninese currently do so.