Togo

Togo: History, Culture and Economy

The Togolese Republic, often known as Togo, is a country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, on which the capital Lomé is located.

Togo covers an area of approximately 57,000 square kilometres (22,000 sq mi) with a population of approximately 6.7 million. Togo is a tropical, sub-Saharan nation, highly dependent on agriculture, with a climate that provides good growing seasons. The official language of Togo is French. However, there are many other languages spoken, particularly those of the Gbe family. The largest religious group in Togo are those with indigenous beliefs, but there are significant Christian and Muslim minorities. Togo is a member of the United Nations, African Union, Organisation of the Islamic Conference, South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone, La Francophonie and Economic Community of West African States.

From the 11th to the 16th century, various tribes entered the region from all directions. From the 16th century to the 18th century, the coastal region was a major trading centre for Europeans in search of slaves, earning Togo and the surrounding region the name “The Slave Coast”. In 1884, Germany declared a protectare over Togoland. After World War I, rule over Togo was transferred to France. Togo gained its independence from France in 1960. In 1967, Gnassingbé Eyadéma…

Read more…

---

50+ Things to Do in 50 African Countries

We had fun writing this post for Matador Trips called “50+ Things to Do in 50 African Countries”. Having visited more than 17 African countries so far, and spoken with hundreds of travelers, we’ve accumulated this list. If you’re looking for something amazing to do in any of the countries on the continent, here are some ideas to get you started.

1. Algeria: Spend a day walking in Algiers to see Turkish palaces and the Martyrs Monument. The Dar Hassan Pacha Palace is a good one.

2. Angola: Head to Luanda in February for their annual carnival and join other expats for live shows and movies at Karl Marx. Claudio Silva has more in 5 Reasons to Go to Angola in 2009 (And Beyond).

3. Benin: See lions, leopards, hippos, and more at the Parc National de la Penjari. In Contonou, we hear the bar Le Costa Rica is a lot of fun.

4. Botswana: The best-value walking safari in Southern Africa is right next to Gaborone at a place called Mokolodi Nature Reserve. We love their permaculture projects, and they offer rhino tracking and safaris by horseback.

5.…

Read more…

---

mixed feelings

I have said good bye to my friends and colleagues in Sokode.  It was not easy, but they threw lots of parties for me.  Several going away events were thrown in my honor, 2 at schools I worked with and 2 others with friends and colleagues.  I did not cry at any of them, although I came close at times.  It was mostly just laughing and telling jokes and not focusing on the fact that I’m leaving.

I realized that lots of people would have liked to say good bye or give me something to remember them, but they didn’t have anything to give.  So I bought a notbook and decorated the cover.  I asked everyone to write in it, draw in it, or do anything that would help me remember them.  People seemed to really enjoy that and it was nice to have a way to say good bye.

---

Service Finishing Up This Month in Togo

I am very much in denial that my Peace Corps service is finishing up.  The month of June will be packed.  I am a camp counselor for a week for “Camp Unite”, a camp focused on gender equality and healthy living skills.  The camp is for boy apprentices (studying to be mechanics or carpenters or [...]

---

Vacuum Packed Versus Nature’s Sack

If you grew up in America, you are probably quite good at something that most Togolese find baffling.  Probably your great-grandparents would have found it puzzling as well.  I’m talking about packaging.  Chip bags, ziplocks, candy cane wrappers, or even bottles of lotion and shampoo all count as unnatural forms of packaging.  Most of these [...]

---

Ben Stiller as Rebecca

Every now and then I end up in uncomfortable situations with no escape or alternative. Often, my best solution it to imagine the same scene with Ben Stiller in my place. I pretend I’m watching the movie and laughing at his discomfort instead of experiencing it myself.
For example, last week I travelled in [...]

---

vacation!!!!!

After a couple relaxing days in a posh part of Accra, I’m off to a beach resort.

http://www.greenturtlelodge.com

I’ll be meeting some friends there.  And you thought I don’t have any fun here.

---

Dog Kabob

I was sitting with two friends under a mango tree drinking tchouk (millet beer).  A middle aged man approached us in a manner both shy and sly.

“Bonsoir”, he said to each of us individually, studying our faces.

We responded in kind, waiting to see what was going to happen next.

“I have some parasutemal.” (something like aspirin) and he pulled out what looked like a greasy pizza box.

“A-haaa”, my friends said in delight, “That is just the ticket”.

I remained baffled even as the man opened the box to display several meat kebabs.  My friends pulled out their money in a flash, and then turned to me.

“You are going to try some, right?” Something in their voice warned me that it wasn’t goat, and they confirmed that it was in fact, delicious dog meat.

Apparently, not everyone likes to eat dog, especially Muslims.  Hence, the vendor’s cautious approach. But those who like it really find it a treat.  I made barking noises as my friends ate their skewers, just to see if it would turn them off at all, but they love viande de chien.  Their lip smacking did not convince me to try even a bite,…

Read more…

---

Thank You for Camp Help

Wow, Thank you all so much for contributing to the Camp Informatique project. I can’t believe we reached our goal so quickly. My co-directors here are thrilled and excited to move on to planning the camp.

I really appreciate every penny that was donated. It is incredibly kind of you to reach out across continents and oceans to give an unknown child a chance to learn how to use computers, especially in this time of financial uncertainty. In this shrinking world we need to reach out to others more than ever, and your individual gift is one of many important acts of kindness and hope.

If you did not get a chance to give to the camp, there are other great Peace Corps Partnership Projects that need funding. I encourage you to browse the site.
All Peace Corps Partnerships come from real community need, have no overhead, and are supported by a community contribution of at least 25%. Most projects, like camps that increase knowledge, confidence, and healthy lifestyles, are rarely done by other aid organizations, and allow Peace Corps volunteers to address real needs that are not being met elsewhere.

---

Camp Informatique

So much infrastructure are poor oe non-existant, including a frustrating lack of information. We (in the USA) are used to vast amounts of information at our fingertips. If we don’t know something we just turn to the nearest high speed connected recent model computer – never far away- and look it the answers.

Here in Togo, knowledge is passed slowly and deliberately. Books aren’t readily available, and knowledge is passed from teacher to student and generation-to-generation as if it is written in stone. How can improvements be implemented if no one knows about them?

But lots of information is out there, online, for free. Computers (old) and an internet connection (slow as molasses) are available at cyber cafes, but people just don’t know how to use them. This means that people can’t find the information that would really help them (water sanitation, improved latrine design, cooking with solar, or even scholarships to study at a university) because they don’t know how to use a mouse and keyboard.

So my job here is to be a small bridge to the world of information and communication technologies. I work with schools and businesses to teach computer skills. This ranges from using a…

Read more…

---

Next Page »