Togo: Day 7
After a well appreciated sleep-in and an atypical leisurely
breakfast we set out for our first of three days of R&R. How great is that! With our trusted driver Mensah and our two
indispensible sidekicks (translators, tour guides, enablers and all around
helpers) Segnon and Messenh in tow, we headed toward the beach. As it was Election Day and a national
holiday, it was a pleasure to be able to navigate our route with a lot fewer
vehicles on the road making our passage unusually swift and stress free. When we reached the Atlantic, we headed along
‘Ocean Drive’ in the direction of the Benin border.
Our first stop was the Hotel Le Lac on Lake Togo just a
short drive from Lome. There we spent a
very relaxing four hours sipping drinks, lounging on chaises, dipping our feet
in the pool, enjoying the beautiful vista of the lake all the while recounting
the many memorable moments, events and highlights of the previous six days of
distribution.
After a delicious lunch of local fare, we hopped back in the
van and continued our trek east for about another fifteen minutes until we
reached the Benin border where we watched lake Togo flow into the Atlantic
Ocean. Here we all disembarked, passports
in hand, hoping to be able to cross the border and add a new stamp to our
passports and Benin to our growing list of visited countries. Despite our valiant attempts to convince the
Togolese border guards to let us cross the border, which included a
heart-warming account of our recently completed distribution of 4,000 bedkits
to the poor children of Togo and decorating the border guards with Canadian
flag pins, we were told that the border was closed for election day, they
couldn't allow an exception for us and, if we wished, we could perhaps try
again tomorrow.
Once back in the van, we headed to Lome where we were
treated to a grand tour of the city including such highlights as the University
of Lome, the Independence Monument, not one but two very large homes of
Emmanuel Adebayor (a very famous football player whose jersey Mike had been
wearing all day) the photocopy shop of Dosseh (our third helper who had to
leave a few days ago to work near the Burkina Faso border) and last but not
least the border of Ghana. In a
relatively short period of time this afternoon we traversed the entire 50 kms.
or so southern expanse of Togo from the border of Benin to the border of Ghana.
Shortly after our arrival back at our home away from home, a
team of 26 A.E.D. volunteers descended upon us for a scheduled end of
distribution party. After we shared a
meal together, we opened the doors to the back patio, danced, sang and clapped
hands together all the while sharing recent photos and videos while taking new
ones. After a warmly received speech
from Doug, in French no less, and a singing of our respective national anthems,
we exchanged hugs with our Togo family and friends and bid them all a fond au
revoir.
We had come to the end of yet another great day on the Togo
Trail.
Greg for Team Togo 2015
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Togo: Culture Shock
The biggest cause for culture shock for me here in Togo is
the sense of scale. At only 5’6” tall,
this is nothing new for me, but I’m not referring solely to height. A North American ‘big box’ mentality has no
place here. Cottage industries run by
individuals or small family collectives are the norm. Stalls are rarely larger than 8’x12’. It is not uncommon to see a street stall
selling a strange combination of items; a new suit with your bicycle, gasoline
with your mangos, some edible chalk with a new pair of sandals perhaps?
One of the greatest benefits of international travel is to
discover how multi-faceted the world and its peoples are, and the beautiful
country of Togo provides ample opportunity for that.
Michael Compeau for Team Togo 2015
Togo: Day 5
We were up again with the hot African sun this morning to
depart at 7:00am for our two-hour journey to a remote village northwest of Lomé.
A sea of eager parents and children greeted us. We were treated to the joyous sound of 500
children singing and clapping. “C’est magnifique” has become a favourite. We’re
learning the words and moves, some of us faster than others.
Over the course of the next three hours, a parade of the
children in their colourful new clothes had their photos taken and then rushed
over to receive their bedkits. Wearing
their backpacks and carrying their mattresses on top of their heads, they
headed off to find their moms and dads.
As a glorious culmination of the day’s distribution,
immersed in the vibrant Togolese culture and amidst the verdant landscape, some
of the kids and parents gathered with the six of us white guys for a team
photo.
One the way home, we visited one of last year’s bedkit
recipients where we learned that all items have been well used and lovingly
cared for. In football-mad Togo, where
there is a shortage of balls, we brought a number of balls with us and bought
more here. We had the pleasure of
leaving one of them for this village.
Five days of distributions successfully completed! 3,000
more children are now enjoying the comfort of a good night’s sleep, thanks to
the generosity of our donors!
Karen Scott for Team Togo 2015
Togo: Day 4
Huge accomplishment again today! We succeeded in bringing together 319
children for 1 photo. The students thanked us with several songs of
appreciation.
On our way home we stopped at a SET (Support Education Togo)
school. It was a beautifully coloured 3-classroom
building complete with a principle’s office.
There were 2 outdoor classrooms, light and breezy, but, as school was
over for the day, these classrooms were taken over by an extended family of
goats.
On our route back to Lome on the ‘farm track’ our hearts
were warmed as we passed several dozen children and their families with their
bed kits and mattresses, slowly making their way home, on foot, waving with –
to a child - HUGE smiles, relieved that the promise of a Canadian ‘cadeau’ was
actually fulfilled, and in hand.
Togo: Special Day!!
My team of Hilda Stark, Karen Scott, Greg O’Neill, Mike and
Helene Compeau is great and they hit a home run today on a very special 500
bedkit distribution at Bodze. Togo.
My parents Walter and Marian as well as two colleagues (the
kids of Togo thank you Bill and Walter) donated enough bedkits to have the
first 399 kids in 3 group photos.
Putting together a large is group is a logistical challenge
especially in a small rural village but it worked great from the planning
session in the van to the last bedkit handed out. We used the bedkit transport
truck cab to shoot the large group from, triple checked the count and had the
kids laughing, clapping and giving thumbs up with the families and teachers
cheering them – and us on.
Thank you Team Togo for a great day.
Doug MacDougald for Team Togo 2015
Post your comments here:Togo: Day 2!
Well we have had a big day 2 – 500 bedkit distributions. The first was in close confines of the
village school with families of the community able to be near all the action. They became very engaged in the kids
photos. Cheers of ‘yipee’ ringing out
with every photo eliciting great smiles from the children.
We arrived at the second distribution with the children just
getting changed. So we had lots of time
to play with the children and their families.
It doesn’t get better than playing with bubbles with hundreds of kids
and adults.
Togo: The Team is Off!!
Four thousand Togolese kids here we come. The team is waiting impatiently at Pearson to start the Togo distribution.
Team Togo 2015
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L to R: Hilda Stark, Helene Compeau, Karen Scott, Greg O'Neill, Mike Compeau and Doug MacDougald
Team Togo 2015
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Togo 2015: Post Your Comments Here
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Philippines: Neatan's Story
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She is determined to graduate some day and will become a chef or a teacher. She feels gratitude and is inspired to succeed.
Janet, Team Philippines 2015
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Philippines: April 15 - A Special Day!
April 15th marked a special day for the SCAW team from Canada as well as our partners SCAW Philippines. There had been many emails and phone calls back and forth between Ontario and the Philippines regarding the extraordinary contribution that had been donated by the students, staff, and families at the Marshall McLuhan Catholic Seconday School.
Between them they had generously donated 443 bed kits!
We all wanted to make an extra effort to recognize the efforts of MMCSS. The official photographs were taken and will eventually be delivered to the donors at the school.
How about photographing all 443 bed kit recipients?
With their usual efficiency and organization, SCAW Philippines started setting up the shot. Children were sorted by height and assembled in a large open area of the school in Polangui.
The children were given numbered lanyards that would identify them and allow them to receive their bed kit.
And here is the result! 443 Filipino children waving thank you to MCSS, with a loud, resounding Mabuhay!
Salamat po from the children of Polangui, the Canadian team, and SCAW Philippines.
Team Philippines 2015
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Philippines: Mission Accomplished!
Yesterday was our last day of distribution, we travelled to Polangui 2 from the hotel about 1hr drive. The distribution site was in a beautiful country church and as always the children were so colorful in their new clothes and all smiles.After a quick lunch we got back on the road for another hour heading North to Naga where we did our last distribution. This was a new site for SCAW, the local Kiwanis club did a wonderful job organizing so our work went very smoothly.
Again we were fed a beautiful lunch, I have to say we didn't go hungry these past 2 weeks.Back on the road again for a 2 hr drive to Legaspi, where we got together with our SCAW Philippines partners for a post distribution meeting followed again by a nice dinner, that included music.
We were amazed at the energy and talent our Philippinos partners have, so many beautiful voices.
We feel very good this morning, a job well done...
A big thank you to all of you our supporters who have made this possible, you can be assured that your gifts are well received and well used.
Jacynthe for Team Philippines 2015
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Philippines: Day 9!!
Today we left Manilla for the South flying Philippine Airlines to go to the next 2 days of distributions,. We have 1,400 bedkits left to deliver.
Once we landed we were met by the local Kiwanians who took us to meet one of the board members of the province of Albay. We then visited Cagsawa ruins destructed by the eruption of the Mayon volcano in 1814, all that remains is the bell tower.
We were treated to a dinner of local specialities. We are now getting ready for an early start for tomorrow's distribution.
Gary for Team Philippines 2015
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Once we landed we were met by the local Kiwanians who took us to meet one of the board members of the province of Albay. We then visited Cagsawa ruins destructed by the eruption of the Mayon volcano in 1814, all that remains is the bell tower.
We were treated to a dinner of local specialities. We are now getting ready for an early start for tomorrow's distribution.
Gary for Team Philippines 2015
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Philippines: Reflections from the Last Ten Days in Pictures!
With a free day in Manila, here are a few scenes of the Philippines from the past ten days.
Team Philippines 2015
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Team Philippines 2015
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Philippines: A Day of Rest
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Today we had a late start to drive through horrible Manila traffic to Fort Santiago located in the northern part of the walled city. The Fort was used by the Japanese to intern both Philippinos and Americans. Many died of starvation or drowning in the dungeons from the incoming tides.Then we went to see the cathedral where they were set up for one fancy wedding for a TV movie. The church was filled with masses of flowers. Things were running late as surprisingly the groom was somewhere stuck in traffic.
At UST University of St Tomas, the oldest university in the Philippines we had a special tour of their museum and art gallery and were taken to the top of the tower for a birds eye view of the city.
In the afternoon we visited the orphanage of the Sisters of Charity which is the order of Mother Theresa. We delivered bags of clothing donated by many friends and soup mix Chris got from the Mennonites. Many children are handicapped. The toddlers really enjoyed the Canadian flag beach ball. Understandably we were not allowed to take pictures of the children.
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Judi Fenton for SCAW Philippines 2015
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Philippines: An Alumni Returns!!
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Janet Henley for team Philippines
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Philippines: Angeles
In the afternoon today we traveled to the old Clark Airforce Base in Angeles, to distribute another 300 bedkits.
There were over 100 aboriginal children who live in the mountains at the edge of the base, in the group.
We had more smiles and giggles from these beautiful children than anywhere else so far.
We feel so fortunate to be giving the bedkits to the children on behalf of the many donors who have made it possible. Your gifts make such a positive difference in the lives of these children and their families.
Pat for Team Philippines
Philippines: A Great Day of Bedkit Distributions!!
Morning Distribution - 300 bed kits,Calumpit, Bulacan
"Halo-Halo" stop at Nathaniel's, a popular eating place. Halo-Halo is a parfait-like mixture of beans, jackfruit, makapuno, crunchy "pinipeg", Philippine jello, "ube" ice cream and custard in a tall glass filled with shaved ice.
Afternoon distribution - 300 bed kit, Barangay Arena,
Arayat, Pampanga. In the photo, are two children waiting for their bed kits.
Bed Kit Parent Interview with a young mother
Team Philippines 2015
Philippines: South of Manilla
On day 2 we travelled south of Manilla to distribute 600 bed kits to some very happy families.
The organizing Kiwanis clubs take great pride in assisting with an appropriate backdrop for pictures.
Here are a few of the happy children ready to get their bed kits.The need is great here.
The organizing Kiwanis clubs take great pride in assisting with an appropriate backdrop for pictures.
Here are a few of the happy children ready to get their bed kits.The need is great here.
Team Philippines 2015
Philippines: Day 4
Our destination was Los Banos South of Manila about 1 1/2 hr, where we were greeted by very well behaved children at the Lalakay elementary school.
We started the day with a prayer followed by a hearty rendition of both National Anthem.
With the help of the teachers, volunteers and the representatives of the Kiwanis club all 300 bed kits were delivered to very excited children.
These gatherings over lunch are precious opportunities for two cultures to get to know each other and to realize that we are not so different, we all want for our children to be healthy and happy.
After hugs and hand shakes we left this lovely community to journey back to Manila for a rest and get ready to do it all over again tomorrow, very happily.
J'aimerais dire un Merci spécial à nos familles et amis francophones du Canada pour leur appuis.
Je peu vous garantir que c'est très apprécier...
Jacynthe Tremblay for team Philippines
Philippines: The Teams!
This is a photo of the Canadian and Philippine teams taken Antipolo.
Team Philippines 2015