60 million girls in Tsévié, Togo
We have arrived in Tsévié, a rural community in Togo, where we are supporting a project with Crossroads International. Our funding was designed to introduce Mobile Learning Labs (MLLs) in five girls’ clubs and one boys’ club in five schools in Tsévié, Togo. The beneficiaries are at-risk girls – at risk of early marriage, pregnancy or trafficking. In total, 150 girls, 30 boys, 25 teachers and 10 parents will be directly involved in the project.
Unfortunately, the pandemic forced the closure of all Togo’s schools from March to November of last year. As a result, the project will only be completed at the end of 2021. However, all the girls returned to school, except for those who had graduated. Crossroads has been able to procure the necessary equipment for the MLLs and funds have also been used to provide masks, soap, disinfectants and equipment for hand washing.
Photo: Crossroads International
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“When a woman succeeds… it’s the whole village that succeeds.” – Togolese singer Milly Parkeur
Where is Togo?
- Togo, one of the poorest countries in the world, is a small West African country that borders Ghana and Benin.
- Its education system has faced development setbacks due to a variety of political, monetary and societal reasons.
- Nevertheless, Togo has one of the strongest education systems in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Facts about education in Togo
- Since 2008, primary schooling has been compulsory and free. Prior to that, school fees posed a significant barrier to impoverished families.
- Togo’s net primary school enrolment was 90% in 2017. But secondary education enrolment rates are low (41%) and girls are significantly disadvantaged.
- There are 10% fewer girls enrolled than boys and gender disparity exists at every level of schooling, except pre-primary.
- Early or forced marriages force many girls to leave school.
- Rural and poor areas of the country suffer from low quality of education. Unlike secondary schools in urban areas, those in rural areas tend to be sparse and have few resources.
Don’t miss hiking in the Kpalimé area in Togo!
The most challenging walk is up Togo’s highest peak, Mount Agou, at 986 metres. It’s a four-hour return walk from the village of Nyogbo. The path climbs between backyards, through cocoa and coffee plantations and luxuriant forests teeming with life. Small terraced mountain villages pepper the slopes and provide fabulous views of the area. On a clear day, you can see Lake Volta in Ghana.