Togo: Education Programme
Programme Coordinator: Sophie Rollin
Since 2002 the education programme in Togo has been co-run with La Chaîne de l’Espoir (Togo) in the disadvantaged neighbourhood of Tokoin in Lomé where families struggle to have enough to eat. In this context of poverty, education is too heavy a financial burden making children vulnerable to dropping out of school. La Chaîne de l’Espoir intervenes in primary and secondary schools, permitting destitute children to pursue their educations.
OBJECTIVES :
- To give destitute children access to quality education or vocational training
- To perpetuate their education
- To improve their health
ACTIVITY :
- Education assistance in kind
School supplies, uniforms and clothes are distributed to sponsored children on an annual basis. In addition, their secondary school tuition (primary school is free) and basic needs are provided for.
La Chaîne de l’Espoir recognises the importance of involving the local community in this programme. Local craftspeople are commissioned to sew uniforms.
- General healthcare
- Sponsored children benefit from access to treatment via medical care delivered by a team of local doctors. This care consists of an annual check-up. Any additional necessary care (treatment, consultation with specialists, eyeglasses, etc.) is provided.
- Preventative measures have been taken to protect pupils from specific illnesses. These include the distribution of hygiene kits to sponsored children, mosquito nets to all children in schools of intervention, etc.
- In response to malnutrition, from which many children suffer, daily meals are provided at school. These meals are prepared and distributed to sponsored children by school staff. Since 2012 a school canteen has been created at the Adjallé Primary School providing daily meals to all its pupils, more than 1000 children.
- Renovation and furnishing of schools
The objective of this part of the intervention is to offer children the good learning conditions essential to their education. It also impacts the school environment’s health and safety conditions.
- Putting enrichment and learning programmes in place in establishments of intervention
Creating school libraries in two primary schools dramatically impacted the lives of pupils who do not have a place to do their homework or access to reading materials at home.
- Access to vocational training
This project was initiated to provide young people struggling in school a path to autonomy. Since 2012 sponsored children have been preparing themselves for careers as hairdressers or seamstresses with artisans of Lomé. These apprentices are provided with the cost of their training and access to medical care, as well as help finding their first job at the end of their training.
