Togomonde 99 - Sept 2015

Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Développement Humain

02 B.P. 20832 Lomé, Togo, West Africa Tel: 00228 22 51 77 52 / 90 10 46 34

E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.pdh-togo.org / www.pdh-info.tg

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PDHTogo Twitter: www.twitter.com/PDHTogo

TOGO MONDE No. 99, September 2015

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|99TOGOMONDE2015|

------------------------------------------------------------- Issue No. 99, September 2015

News from the Social Centre PDH (Promotion et Développement Humain)

02 BP 20832 Lomé Tél (00228) 22 51 77 52 / 90 10 46 34 TOGO E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.pdh-togo.org


Bonjour !

This version of TOGOMONDE was written by Michele Pagani from Switzerland; 159th International Volunteer at PDH Lomé, Togo, West Africa (September to October 2015).

Please scroll down to read the recent news from Togo and the work done by PDH.

1. What‟s New in Togo?

2. Business as Usual

3. Good News

4. A Great Big “THANK YOU”!

5. Sad News

6. Volunteer News

7. Join Us!

8. Distance Adoption: Sponsorship

9. Help With Closed Pockets

10. Reflections on Donations

11. How to Donate

12. Our Objectives at PDH

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.pdh-togo.org/







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International Sea’s Security Summit

Between the 2th

and the 7th

of November 2015 an international summit over the sea’s

security will be organized. It will take place here, in Togo. Among the promoters we

can find the president Faure Gnassingbé and the African Union. The topics are going

to be various, but first of all it will be discuss the portuary security, which is very

difficult to maintain because of the pirates, whose number is very high all along the

African’s coasts. An other principal topic will be the illegal fishing. It might seem

having no vital importance, but this activity costs to the continent an astonishing

amount of money. The hope is that from this summit new solving approaches will

stand out, which will push a little up the economic situation of the coastal countries.

Then, at the end – but not for this reason less important – we have the third

fundamental theme: drug traffic traffics. This trade pervades the entire territory from

Senegal to Angola and it increases the violence and causes an incredibly amount of

murdering. It’s no advantage for anyone; successing with this topic is the target

everyone aim to. We all hope so. It would be a new day for the whole African

continent.

sources: http://www.lomeinfos.com/dossier/togo-politique/

http://www.african-union-togo2015.com/

Children leaving from the summer school

What do you think? We would love to hear your thoughts. Write us a letter or send us an email.

1 What‟s New In Togo?

http://www.lomeinfos.com/dossier/togo-politique/

http://www.african-union-togo2015.com/






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2 Business as Usual

PVVIH Group de Parole - AIDS Word’s Group

Last Thursday (the 3rd of September 2015), as every months, PDH organized the Word‟s Group for AIDS suffering people. Here, people infected by the HIV virus can discuss to each other over their illness and learn how to live with that. The last session was imprinted on the lifestyle; in particular, the expert of PDH shown the correct behaviour which they have to have with the food. This time, also the little Irené – who have just become nine years old – took part to the lesson and enjoyed the others with his story.

Facebook We now have 250 likes on our Facebook page – thank you so much to those who have supported us in this way. If you are on Facebook, please type „PDH Togo‟ into the search box and click „like‟ to give you regular updates on the vital work we‟re doing here in Togo!

Follow more of our work @ http://www.facebook.com/PDHTogo

http://www.facebook.com/PDHTogo






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3 Good News

Agatha (4 - 70) Agatha is a fourteen-years-old girl, mother. She was orphan since her first years of life, so she has been given to an old woman, who has been looking after her. But a years ago, she got pregnant. She was too young, so the birth of her child cost her a caesarean. The new-born‟s father refused to assume his responsibility towards his daughter and the mother and disappeared. Agatha had no money and her tutrice couldn‟t afford the whole hospital‟s bill. Claiming for justice, she came to PDH. The centre gave her legal assistance and supported her. It sent multiple convocations to the father, but he‟s never come, and after the third time he refused his presence in front of the junior‟s, the police arrested him. It has emerged, Agatha was the fourth of five young girls – each from eleven to fifteen years old – whom he made pregnant. He now risks until twenty-five years of reclusion, accused of pedophily. Thanks PDH the young Agatha is receiving the means she, and her daughter, need. The new-born with her "grand-mother"

PDH wishes to express gratitude and appreciation to all of you who have helped in some way - benefactors, donors, volunteers and supporters. Special Thanks To:

1. Greg Trencher 2. Ellen Zijlmans 3. Evelyn Gransee 4. John Davis 5. Robert Blunden 6. Our Australian Sponsors. 7. Caroline

We would also like to thank those who might come to Togo in the future to volunteer for PDH. If you would like more information on how to volunteer, please visit the website www.pdh-togo.org or keep reading through to section 7!

4 A Great Big „THANK YOU‟







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5 Sad News

Médard (4 - 67) Last son of a polygamy family, Médard is a child suffering since his birth from a bad illness: epilepsy. His father, who used to be an engineer, gave out everything he had had to cure him, but it wasn‟t enough. The epilepsy didn‟t disappear, instead it increases its violence. They couldn‟t afford the drugs which used to calm down Médard‟s crisis anymore. Despite his illness the child had to leave the school and started to rush the dust form the neighbour‟s houses, just to earn enough to buy a bowl of rice. His mother Adjoa is now desperate, and she stopped believing in science. She refuses any medical care for her son and she doesn‟t do anything, but praying. PDH is now fundraising to pay him a TAC, which would costs about 6‟000 CFA (11$) and which could be a help to understand better his issue. But will his mother allow this? Will she give him the life-worthy drugs, or she will keep on feeding him with the holy water? We – as PDH – can help and make the difference for many cases, but there are some, like this one, in which our aid can‟t solve everything.

1- Goodbye and Thank You…

N° Name Nationality Date of Arrival Departure

158 Lena Ziehmer German 12th November 2014 24st February 2015

2- Current Volunteers…

N° Name Nationality Date of Arrival Proposed Departure

159 Michele Pagani Swiss 2th September 2015 14

st October 2015

3- Confirmed Future Volunteers…

N° Name Nationality Proposed Arrival Proposed Departure

160 Miriam Wiltshire Canadian 21 Octobre 2015 13 Janvier 2016

4 - Want to add your name to the list?

Join us in the next section of this newsletter. Keep scrolling!

6 Volunteer News

Anima Kerim, one of our volunteers, giving a sack of rice to Médard after he came to the centre






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5 - International Volunteer Testimonial

Hi. I’m Michele PAGANI, from Switzerland, and I’m the 159th

international volunteer who has the honor of making part of the

team of PDH. I’m eighteen and it’s two weeks as I arrived here,

but I feel like I landed in this wonderful country yesterday. I have

just finished the college and the next year I’m going to the high

school.

Many people asked me, before my start, why I do this, why I will

stay in an other country – far away from my house, my friends, my

family – for over than a month and a half. Well, at the time I just

answered I wanted to help people, but it wasn’t really true. It was

just to live new experiences, to watch ne parts of the world. But as

I reached this incredibly nation, as I met the people who live here,

my aim has changed. It has become the one I used to tell my mates.

I came here and I saw mistreated children, I saw injustice against

faith people. And now I really want to help them. To do something

that will increase their difficult lives. And here I can do, with

Antoine and his wonderful crew of volunteers.

OUR TEAM FOR THE MONTH : September 2015

N° N/Ref NAME NATIONALITY DATE OF ARRIVAL OCCUPATION/ PROFESSION

ADMINISTRATION

01 01 DZAKAS Y. S. Antoine

Togolese 15 February 1999 President and Founder, International relations, Correspondence, Communication, Mail distribution

02 10 DUNYA Rachel

Togolese 03 April 2003 Coordinator at the centre

FIELD TEAM

03 296 ATI Djouwera Togolese 01June 2003 Department of Counselling

04 326 ETSE Koffi Eric

Togolese 08 August 2014 Department of Infants

05 329 KERIM Amina Togolese 16 March 2015 Department of Adults

06 331 AMUZU Komi D. Y. Xolali

Togolese 18 May 2015 Department of Infants

07 330 ADJAVONTSE Favour

Togolese 19 May 2015 Department of Counselling

08 333 ETSE Komla Biova

Togolese 25 May 2015 Department of Adults

09 339 KADANGA Bella

Togolese 24 August 2015 Department of Infants

10 159 PAGANI Michele

Swiss 02 September 2015 Department of Infants

11 341 TCHAGAFO Amina

Togolese 09 September 2015 Department of Adults

Thank you for the work you do for us!

Michele PAGANI Student 159

th International Volunteer at

PDH 2

nd September 2015 to 14

th

October 2015






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7 Join Us!

PDH warmly welcomes international interest in our volunteer program. We have hosted a diverse crowd in Lomé over the last decade – from solo travellers, to groups of friends, to one mother-daughter pairing – all of whom fit into the organisation equally. Regardless of your age (we have seen 19 through to 67) or your profession, volunteer work in Togo can be a profound experience.

How long can I stay? There are no minimum or maximum stays at PDH, we are willing to work with your schedule to find something that works for both of us.

How much does the program cost? Volunteers are asked to make a 100,000f CFA (150 EUR / 200 USD) donation on arrival. Full board accommodation is then provided at a rate of 25,000 (37.5 EUR / 50 USD) per week. Ie 12 weeks would total to 400,000f CFA (600 EUR / 800 USD).

What is the accommodation like? You will be accommodated with a host – either at the centre or with a partnering family – in a comfortable room with basic amenities. Please keep in mind that conditions in Togo may not meet what you are used to at home however we work to make your stay as pleasant as possible. Let your host know of any dietary preferences so they can tailor meals to you!

What does a typical work day look like? On a typical Monday to Friday, you will attend our daily meeting at 07:30 before accompanying one of our agents on a case visit. From 13:00 to 14:45 you are encouraged to take a long lunch with your host, before returning to document your visit in the afternoon and assist with activities at the centre until 17:30.






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Some finer points to consider:

Access to Money: VISA Bankcards Only!

Please note that only VISA bankcards work in Togo. Mastercard, Maestro and American

Express are not accepted anywhere.

Funding your Flights

While living expenses are low, we know getting her can be a financial challenge.

Research flights on sites such as http://skycanner.com, http://hipmunk.com or

http://matrix.itasoftware.com to find your cheapest option. You may then consider fundraising

through friends and family, or researching organisations that offer volunteer grants, such as:

http://go-volunteerabroad.com/volunteer-abroad-scholarship

Please carefully read the “Essential guidelines for volunteering at PDH” which we forward to all

prospective volunteers.

Express your interest today by sending an email to

[email protected] – though please allow up to one week for our reply, we work with a very limited internet connection!

http://skycanner.com/

http://hipmunk.com/

http://matrix.itasoftware.com/

http://go-volunteerabroad.com/volunteer-abroad-scholarship







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8 Distance Adoption: Sponsorship

PDH supporters now have the opportunity to sponsor a child, adult or family - providing one year of school tuition and school supplies, subsidising an apprenticeship to set someone up for life, or helping struggling parents pay for school tuition and put food on the table. 1. The future Sponsor will contact Centre Social PDH to express their preference in choosing a::

a. Girl aged 18 years and under b. Boy aged 18 years and under c. Girl aged 19 years and above d. Boy aged 19 years and above e. A Family

2. The Sponsor will complete the Agreement/Contract of Sponsorship Between PDH and Sponsor and email to PDH: [email protected] / [email protected]

3. The Centre Social PDH will send details of a sponsorship candidate to the Sponsor. 4. The Sponsored Person will write a letter via Centre Social PDH to the Sponsor. 5. The Sponsor will send future correspondences to the Sponsored Person via:

Centre Social PDH 02 BP 20832 Lomé, Togo Tel # 00228 22 51 77 52 / 90 10 46 34 Email: [email protected] / [email protected] Website: www.pdh-togo.org

6. It is the Sponsor who decides the amount, frequency and the duration of the sponsorship. 7. The Sponsor sends their donation to the Sponsored Person via Centre Social PDH.

Other ways to donate:

Western Union or Money Gram. If using these methods, please make sure you send the details of the transfer via email to [email protected] / [email protected] Receiver : DZAKAS Yawo Soga

8. The Centre Social PDH receives the donation and ensures the money is used effectively to help the Sponsored Person.

9. The Centre Social PDH will regularly follow up on the Sponsored Person‟s situation. 10. The Centre Social PDH is responsible for the Sponsored Person and how the money is used.

PDH will send an annual report to the Sponsor detailing the progression of the Sponsored Person‟s situation.

SUGGESTED DONATION TO COVER THE NEEDS OF A SPONSORED PERSON

N° NEED AMOUNT

1 Monthly Supply of Food 23 Euro

2 Monthly Expense to Monitor Sponsored Person 4 Euro

3 Annual School Fees / Professional Apprenticeship Fees 45 / 12 = 3.75 Euro

Monthly Total 30.75 Euro

Our bank details in Lomé – TOGO West Africa Bank : Banque Togolaise de Développement (BTD); SWIFT : BTDETGTG Adresse : BP 65 Lomé, Togo, West Africa Tel (00228) 22 21 36 41

Code bank Code guichet Account number RIB Domiciliation

TG014 01001 40000257104 33 Banque Togolaise de

Développement

IBAN : TG53 TG01 4010 0104 0000 2571 0433 SWIFT : BTDETGTG

Account name : Centre Social PDH











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C E N T R E S O C I A L

Promotion et Développement Humain

BP 20832 Lomé Tél :(00228) 22 51 77 52 / 90 10 46 34 Togo E-mail: [email protected]

Agreement/Contract of Sponsorship Between PDH and Sponsor

First and Last Name of Sponsor ______________________ Nationality ______________________ Address _________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Telephone # ______________________ Email Address ______________________ I, the Sponsor, agree to sponsor a (select one):

Girl aged 18 years and under

Boy aged 18 years and under

Girl aged 19 years and above

Boy aged 19 years and above

A Family

I agree to send PDH at least ______ Euros every ______ month(s) for ______ month(s) for

the sponsored person ; beginning on the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , thus lasting until the

__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Signed by the Sponsor _________________________ Date ________________

Please return completed form to PDH via Email to: [email protected] / [email protected]







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We at PDH are aware that many of you who would like to help our cause here in Togo simply

cannot, due to your own financial limits. There are, however, various alternatives to sending

money that can greatly benefit the humanitarian work of PDH.

Spread the word

Our website features a Download Depot, which stores posters and desktop images. You can

download and/or print these items in order to promote our organization in relevant locations around

your town or city eg. cafés, churches and universities.

Promote PDH

Help us to promote our cause and international profile by telling your friends and family about us. The

more people that know about PDH, the greater our support network - it's that simple. You may also

know somebody who is in a position that can greatly aid us by promoting our cause; a university

lecturer who could throw us up on a slide, a local priest who could speak to his congregation, or even

a travel agent. You could provide them with a copy of this newsletter to distribute.

Like us on facebook!

Every acknowledgement of our work means a lot to the local volunteers, so consider liking us today!

http://www.facebook.com/PDHTogo

Pray

For those of you who are religious, you will know the value of prayer that money simply cannot buy.

Please remember us in your prayers, as everyone's spiritual faith is integral to the work that we carry

out here.

Fundraise

You can help PDH raise funds by conducting your own fundraising event. For example, auctioning off

old belongings on Ebay or hosting a dinner with a silent auction.

9 Help With Closed Pockets






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10 Reflections on Donations

We often get questions about what people can send to us to help. Over the last couple of years more and more things that we need such as school books, stationery and condoms are available here to buy. Monetary donations are the most liquid, and thus most effective donation that we can receive. We avoid postal costs, and often prices are cheaper here so we can gain the maximum value from your money. Another positive outcome from doing it this way is that it helps the local economy here in Togo. On the other hand if there is something in particular that you would like to send over (e.g. clothes, puzzles, board games…) then feel free to do so; we know sometimes it is nice to send over products that you have chosen, so we will always be happy to accept any packages we receive. We are also very grateful for supplies that volunteers bring with them from their families and friends. Our postal address:

Antoine Dzakas (The Project Director)

La Promotion et Développement Humain

B.P. 20832 Lomé, Togo, Africa

Please email [email protected] to let us know we’re expecting a package as our post office does not directly notify us of deliveries.







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11 How to Donate

Very often at PDH, we are forced to turn away people that we, quite simply, cannot help. This is due to the extremely limited nature of our financial and material resources as we are 100% dependant on donations and volunteers. We believe that PDH is an excellent choice for those of you who are willing to donate money to a small non-government, non-profit aid organization. This is because our administration costs are very low and we guarantee that your donation - in its entirety - will provide relief that is desperately required by those in need. To send a cheque direct to Lomé (in either £, $US or €):

Payable to: Centre Social PDH Address: 02 B.P. 20832 Lomé, Togo, West Africa If writing a cheque please be aware that it might take several weeks to arrive because the post can be quite slow.

For amounts less than €50 we recommend either using cheques or contacting us to avoid unnecessary fees charged by the Togolese bank.

Our bank details in Lomé – TOGO Bank : Banque Togolaise de Développement (BTD) Adresse : BP 65 Lomé, Togo, West Africa Tel (00228) 22 21 36 41 SWIFT : BTDETGTG

Code bank Code guichet Account number RIB Domiciliation

TG014 01001 40000257104 33 Banque Togolaise de Développement

IBAN : TG53 TG01 4010 0104 0000 2571 0433 SWIFT : BTDETGTG

Account name: Centre Social PDH

Other ways to donate: Ria, Western Union or Money Gram. If using these methods, please make sure you send the details of the transfer via email to [email protected]

Receiver: DZAKAS Yawo Soga







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12 Our Objectives

:: To conduct life education that seeks to change behaviour. :: To assist with schooling, literacy, learning and professional

training. :: To listen to, inform and educate the disadvantaged and

poverty-stricken. :: To provide assistance and a means of gaining independence

to those already possessing professional skills. :: To assist the disadvantaged and poverty-stricken in regards

to nutrition, psychological, sanitation, medication, material needs and finances.

:: To provide financial assistance and support for those seeking

to establish a small business. :: To assist the handicapped, refugees and prostitutes to re-

establish themselves both professionally and financially. :: To assist the elderly and encourage sentiments of self worth. :: To promote family planning, family health and AIDS

prevention. :: To fight against AIDS and HIV. :: To cater for the psychological, health, medical and nutritional

needs of those living with AIDS or HIV. :: To care for children orphaned due to AIDS.

Togomonde 99 - Sept 2015

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