We have reached the end of our African road.
After two years in Togo we’re ready to return home — filled with mixed emotions about leaving. We are full of Anticipation for our return home to family and friends, yet we are feeling Emptiness at leaving the friends and life we have made here. More than anything, our hearts are Full. Full of witnessing the strength of the human spirit in the face of extreme poverty.
We understand Africa a little better. But we still don’t understand why such a great disparity remains between the rich and the poor. The West’s development efforts of the last 50 years have made little progress to overcome the myriad of issues that keeps Africa in the poverty trap. But that is another conversation.
For now, we hope what we have shared with you has created a better understanding of the remarkable people, culture and life in Togo.
God’s blessings to you all.
After two years in Togo we’re ready to return home — filled with mixed emotions about leaving. We are full of Anticipation for our return home to family and friends, yet we are feeling Emptiness at leaving the friends and life we have made here. More than anything, our hearts are Full. Full of witnessing the strength of the human spirit in the face of extreme poverty.
We understand Africa a little better. But we still don’t understand why such a great disparity remains between the rich and the poor. The West’s development efforts of the last 50 years have made little progress to overcome the myriad of issues that keeps Africa in the poverty trap. But that is another conversation.
For now, we hope what we have shared with you has created a better understanding of the remarkable people, culture and life in Togo.
God’s blessings to you all.
6 comments:
Hello Cate & Wayne:
My name is Kokou and I am from Togo living in the US. I grew up a little bit all over the region south of Atakpame including Atakpame itself, Akposso, Kpalime and Lome. I like reading blogs from returned PCVs who share their experience and insights. It paints a vivid picture of the hopes we had growing up and broadens my perspectives on how those hopes can materialize with the participation of people like me who've had some exposure to both cultures. I will very much appreciate discussing this further with you and perhaps meeting other like minded people through your network or circle of friends even if it is just to exchange views and formulate some realistic platform I can work with. My email is propervastu@yahoo.com. Thank you
Hi Cate and Wayne,
My name is Sarah Forte. Currently I am a PCV in neighboring Benin but looking to extend for a third (or even fourth) year in Togo. I have been offered the post of Atakpame in Togo. I just thought I would email you but did not find your email anywhere on your blog. My email is beinginbenin@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you. There is a lot of information on your blog but I just wanted to make direct contact with you. I have not decided to accept or decline the Atakpame post yet. I would be an CHAP volunteer. Thank you. I hope you are both doing well.
Sarah Forte
Habit is a second nature. ........................................
I do like ur article~!!!..................................................
Poverty tries friends...................................................................
http://lnfaw.blogspot.com/2010/09/blog-post_1619.html
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