Togomonde 120 Juin - Août 2019

120 TOGOMONDE 2019
Issue n° 120,
Juin - Août 2019
News from Centre Social PDH (Promotion et Développement Humain)
02 BP 20832 Lomé, Togo Tel. / Whatsapp: (00228) 90 10 46 34
E-mail: centre_social@yahoo.fr Website: www.pdh-togo.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PDHTogo Twitter: www.twitter.com/PDHTogo
This issue is compiled by Adam Millest, British 184th et Matthew Ian Neill,
Irlandais 185th International Volunteer at PDH
Notre nouvelle Campagne

https://www.gofundme.com/qnu2q8-fund-education-for-togolese-street-children
1. What’s New in Togo?

2. Business as Usual
3. Good News
4. Sad News
5. A Great Big “THANK YOU”!!
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
Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Développement Humain 1

02 B.P. 20832 Lomé, Togo, West Africa Tel / Whatsapp (00228) 90 10 46 34
E-Mail: centre_social@yahoo.fr Website: www.pdh-togo.org / www.pdh-info.tg
TOGO MONDE No.120, Juin - Août 2019
1 What’s News in Togo?
The Togolese Republic is once again one of Germany’s partner countries following the
resumption of development cooperation in 2012. Previously, cooperation had been suspended
since the 1990s. GIZ began work and opened an office in the capital, Lomé, in early 2013,
and is currently working in six additional locations. Currently 186 national and
22 international employees and 16 development workers are working in the country (as of
31.12.2018).
Togo
Annual per capita income in Togo is less than USD 1,000, ranking Togo 165th out of 189
countries on the Human Development Index published by the United Nations (2017), with
around 50 per cent of the eight million people in Togo living in absolute poverty. Income
inequality is increasing and around one third of the country’s young people are jobless.
Agriculture and the service sector are the backbone of the economy. More than 60 per cent of
Togo’s people are employed in small-scale farming. There is major potential for growth in
the export of coffee, cocoa and cotton. Togo is expected to achieve economic growth of
around 5 per cent in the coming years. Among other factors, this positive forecast is based on
the existence of an expanded deep sea port – the only one in the region – and the extension of
Lomé airport. Togo is one of West Africa’s major cargo shipment hubs.
The following priority areas for cooperation have been agreed between Germany and Togo:
 rural development and agriculture

 vocational education and training and youth employment
 good governance and decentralisation.
On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
(BMZ) and in cooperation with KfW Development Bank, GIZ is implementing one
programme in each priority area in Togo, with a particular focus on six medium-sized cities
that have development potential. In the area of rural development and agriculture, GIZ
supports small farmers by offering intensive training courses, for example. In order to reduce
youth unemployment, GIZ is developing curricula for vocational schools and is strengthening
the Togolese vocational education and training system. A project on good governance
promotes decentralisation and the improvement of municipal services.
Since 2017, GIZ has also been advising the Togolese Government on behalf of BMZ on
strengthening the health system. Topics include sexual health and rights as well as family
planning (reproductive health). A further project promotes decentralised, climate-friendly
energy provision and strengthens state and civil society stakeholders in areas such as
renewable energy.
Other projects comprise cross-border projects on agribusiness and the food industry, as well
as a programme on sustainable forestry and reforestation. GIZ is also active in Togo in the

scope of its Sport for Development in Africa Regional Programme and promotes social and
political participation in the country through sport. Finally, GIZ works on behalf of the
Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) on
transboundary biodiversity in the Mono river delta.
https://www.giz.de/en/worldwide/10935.html
2 Business as Usual
Journées récréatives avec les enfants
Activity
days with
children
3 Good News
Senam (2 – VAH 466)
On the second of May 2019 a 34-year-old woman visited the PDH centre for our help. Her
name is Senam, and she works as a hairdresser. She came to us for our support because on the
5th of April 2019 she took an HIV test at the institute of hygiene in Lomé and sadly she was
tested positive for type one HIV.
Something that PDH does in the community is to advise and counsel those suffering from
HIV and accompany them to the hospital so that they can acquire the medicine they need.
Because we know the hospital well, and the hospital knows us well, we can help people
access the medicine they need far quicker than if they had gone there alone.
Senam has two daughters. The first is 14 years old and is in fourth year at college, and the
second is 10 and is currently taking class CM2 at school. It is very important that we help her
access treatment as soon as possible, and we agreed to accompany her to the hospital the
following Monday
We are happy to say that Senam has now received le 10 Mai 2019 the treatment she requires.
She has subscribed to a course of ARV which will prevent the growth of the infection, and
stop her from deteriorating into ill health.
4 Sad News
Elom (1 – 317)
On Tuesday 2nd July 2019 Elom, a 40 year old woman living in Togo’s capital Lomé, arrived at PDH’s
Social Centre. After being greeted by the ever friendly and welcoming team, she was invited to
discuss her situation and it soon became apparent that Elom had endured much hardship in recent
times.
She revealed that her difficulties began some time previous, when sadly her husband developed a
mental illness. As with many developing nations, the services for mental health treatment are
scarce in Togo and his illness triggered a series of life changing events for Elom and her three
children. In the end Elom’s landlord evicted her family from their home, leaving them on the streets.
Thankfully she managed to find some form of shelter, but the abandoned workshop under the fence
of a school that she now lives in provides little in the way of home comforts. A determined Elom has
made the best of this situation however, managing to obtain food to feed her children and doing
everything she can to provide for their other needs.
Things went from bad to worse for Elom when, four days prior to her arrival at PDH, she began
developing severe symptoms of infection (as she explained this information to the staff at PDH she
was visibly ill, tearful and consistently trembling). Wisely, as soon as she realized she was sick she
sought help at a local health centre. There she was diagnosed as suffering from malaria and a
bacterial infection and was prescribed the medicine she required. The problem was that with the
small amounts of money she earned washing clothes she could not afford to pay for the vital
medicine. Having previously heard of the work and interventions PDH had done for other local
residents in need, Elom had come to PDH to seek financial aid to fill her prescription.
After establishing the facts of the case, and seeing that she was in such a poor state of health, PDH
offered to help and its agents quickly arranged to go to the pharmacy and purchase the medication
she so desperately needed. Elom was relieved and grateful that now, thanks to PDH and their kind
assistance, she could get treatment and be in good health to look after her children.
Things seemed to be improving for Elom when the team checked in on her a couple of days later.
She reported that she was taking her medication and was noticing an improvement in her health.
Unfortunately though, this was not to last. The PDH team once again visited her the following week
in the hopes that all traces of infection would have cleared, but this had not happened. She
informed them that although she had noticed an improvement in how she felt while taking the

medicine, the symptoms never fully disappeared and she had now finished the medication that was
purchased for her. Finding herself once more with a serious illness being left untreated, Elom was
noticeably demoralized.
But Elom is not alone. The staff at PDH are still closely monitoring her case and are arranging further
consultations with healthcare professionals as well as financial aid so she can afford her treatments.
PDH are determined to help this unfortunate woman and we hope her next treatment will be more
successful so that she can have a healthy future with her children.
5 A Great Big “Thank You” !!
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. Garreth John Wilcock
2. Nico Naper
3. Daniel Daniel Kühnhenrich
4. John Davis
5. Shannon Lee Johnson
6. Charlie Katsuhiko Takehara
7. Sarah Doyle
8. Greg Trencher
9. Matthew Neill
10. Meghan P
11. Linda Knox
12. Ross Hamilton
13. Keith & Rebecca Martin
14. Jennifer Neill
15. Claire Hamilton
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.
6 Volunteer News
1 – Goodbye and Thank You
N° Name Nationality Date of Arrival Departure
186 Emma Frobisher British 24 June 2019 07 /07/ 2019
2 - Current Volunteers
N° Name Nationality Date of Arrival Departure
184 Adam Millest British 01 /05/ 2019 13 /08/ 2019
185 Matthew Neill Irlandais 12th June 2019 7th August 2019
3 - Confirmed Future Volunteers

N° Name Nationality Proposed Arrival Proposed Departure
Guglielmo Guatteri Di
187 Italian 12th August 2019 03 September 2019
Maio
188 Pietro Anzani Italian 12th August 2019 03 September 2019
4 - Want to add your name to the list?
Join us in the next section of this newsletter. Keep scrolling!
5 - International Volunteer Testimonial

When you first arrive in a new place it can
be hard to know what to expect. But in
Togo I have learnt you should always
expect to receive a warm welcome. From
my arrival until the day I left, everywhere I
went I was met with a smile and an
exclamation of; “Bonjour!”, “Bonsoir!”, or
“Bonne arrive!”. Even when simply
walking down the street children will call
out to you, waving from afar or running
alongside you. Despite the poverty that is
present here, and despite the hardship many
of the Togolese people face, there is a
strong sense of community and a happiness that you can’t help but get caught up in.
There is a variety of work you can pursue during a stay with PDH. Visiting the various social
work cases with a local staff member allows you to see more of the city of Lomé and you will
encounter many different people who PDH help. This can be difficult, it can be heart-
breaking to hear the stories of these ordinary people struggling in extraordinarily tough
circumstances, but it can also be extremely fulfilling to witness as the cases are resolved to
their benefit. Other work includes teaching and playing with the children on Wednesday
afternoons and helping out with the social work school PDH runs for local adult students.
Whatever you happen to be doing, the amazing team at PDH will help and support you.
Antoine is also very open to suggestions from his volunteers, for instance, he helped me to
organise and run a sensitisation day for HIV patients (an unforgettable experience).
Finally, if you have a desire to learn French this is the place to go. When I arrived, I could
speak only the most basic phrases but now as I am leaving, whilst I am certainly not fluent, I
am able to have conversations, understand what is happening around me and create
friendships all whilst speaking French. This is a testament to the patience and kindness of
everyone at PDH who are always willing to help and encourage you as you are learning their
language. It is one of the many life skills I will take home with me after my stay here.
To the staff at PDH, the family that welcomed me to their home and to all the people I met
that made my time in Togo unforgettable, merci beaucoup!
Matthew Neill
185th International Volunteer at PDH
12th June 2019 to 7th August 2019
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 100,000 CFA (150 EUR / 200 USD) donation on arrival. Full
board accommodation is then provided at a rate of 25,000 CFA (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.
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

pdh_volontaires@yahoo.fr – though please allow up to one week for
our reply, we work with a very limited internet connection!

8 Distance Adoption: Sponsorship
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: pdh_volontaires@yahoo.fr / centre_social@yahoo.fr
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: centre_social@yahoo.fr / pdh_volontaires@yahoo.fr
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.
Our bank details in Lomé – TOGO West Africa

Bank : Orabank Togo ; SWIFT : ORBKTGTG
Adresse : BP 65 Lomé, Togo, West Africa
Tel (00228) 22 21 36 41
Code bank Code guichet Account number RIB Domiciliation
TG116 01101 040000257104 80 Orabank Togo
IBAN (Identifiant International) :
SWIFT : ORBKTGTG
TG53TG1160110104000025710480
Account name : 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 pdh_volontaires@yahoo.fr / centre_social@yahoo.fr
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

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: centre_social@yahoo.fr
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: pdh_volontaires@yahoo.fr /

centre_social@yahoo.fr

9 Help With Closed Pockets
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.

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 centre_social@yahoo.fr to let us know we’re expecting a package as our post office
does not directly notify us of deliveries.

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 West Africa

Bank : Orabank Togo ; SWIFT : ORBKTGTG
Adresse : BP 65 Lomé, Togo, West Africa
Tel (00228) 22 21 36 41
Code bank Code guichet Account number RIB Domiciliation
TG116 01101 040000257104 80 Orabank Togo
IBAN (Identifiant International) :
SWIFT : ORBKTGTG
TG53TG1160110104000025710480
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 pdh_volontaires@yahoo.fr
Receiver: DZAKAS Yawo Soga

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.


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120 TOGOMONDE 2019

Notre nouvelle Campagne

1. What’s New in Togo?

Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Développement Humain 1

 rural development and agriculture

Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Développement Humain 2

Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Développement Humain 4

5 A Great Big “Thank You” !!

3 - Confirmed Future Volunteers

4 - Want to add your name to the list?

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

5 - International Volunteer Testimonial

 How long can I stay?

Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Développement Humain 7

Some finer points to consider:

 Access to Money: VISA Bankcards Only!

Express your interest today by sending an email to

Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Développement Humain 8

Our bank details in Lomé – TOGO West Africa

Other ways to donate:

SUGGESTED DONATION TO COVER THE NEEDS OF A SPONSORED PERSON

Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Développement Humain 9

Agreement/Contract of Sponsorship Between PDH and Sponsor

First and Last Name of Sponsor ______________________

Email Address ______________________

I, the Sponsor, agree to sponsor a (select one):

 Girl aged 18 years and under

Signed by the Sponsor _________________________ Date ________________

Please return completed form to PDH via Email to: pdh_volontaires@yahoo.fr /

Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Développement Humain 10

Spread the word

Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Développement Humain 11

Our postal address:

Antoine Dzakas (The Project Director)

Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Développement Humain 12

To send a cheque direct to Lomé (in either £, $US or €):

Centre Social PDH

Our bank details in Lomé – TOGO West Africa

Other ways to donate:

Receiver: DZAKAS Yawo Soga

Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Développement Humain 13

:: To conduct life education that seeks to change behaviour.

:: To assist with schooling, literacy, learning and professional

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

:: To provide assistance and a means of gaining independence

:: To assist the disadvantaged and poverty-stricken in regards

:: To provide financial assistance and support for those seeking

:: To assist the handicapped, refugees and prostitutes to re-

:: To assist the elderly and encourage sentiments of self-worth.

:: To promote family planning, family health and AIDS

:: To fight against AIDS and HIV.

:: To cater for the psychological, health, medical and nutritional

:: To care for children orphaned due to AIDS.

Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Développement Humain 14

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Signed by the Sponsor _________ Date