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TOGO

Every Home Global Concern

Medical Clinic and Hospital

with Adrian Moore

Adrian Moore

Togo. To me the name conjures up the exotic, the unknown, the mysterious - a tiny country only 50 km wide wedged between Nigeria and Ghana. A history of 200 years as the centre of the slave trade,

followed by German colonisation, joint French/British rule between the World Wars, and Independence which spawned a dictator who prevailed for 35 years only added to the fascination.

When I was given the chance to visit there as volunteer with my son Aaron, pictured here, who is on the staff of every Home Global Concern, it was an opportunity that I could not turn down.

Every Home Global Concern built a medical clinic in the Togo countryside and has recently obtained AusAid funding to kick-off a new project aimed at educating the villagers in health, nutrition and disease prevention. As a novice to sub-Saharan Africa I had no pre-conceived ideas on what to expect - only an inquisitive and open mind and an expectation that something good was happening as a result of the programs.

35 years of dictatorship has resulted in the country being shunned by Western governments and has led to a "grand

decay" of the country and its infrastructure - derelict Colonial architecture, main roads with pot holes as wide as a house, beggars on the streets. But despite all this there is a vibrancy that is uniquely African. Life for many is lived out on the streets and footpaths of the capital Lome. There was an enthusiasm that was infectious and as a westerner, an uneasy feeling that these people were happy in some fundamental way, despite their dire economic circumstances - it is a topic that I still reflect upon.

The Medical Centre was about an hour's drive from the capital - the road alternating from bitumen to red dirt with the inevitable slowing to a crawl to navigate the huge potholes. The road then narrowed, became a track, and eventually a walking path with the vegetation brushing the sides of the vehicle. Suddenly the medical centre appeared in a clearing.

Healing the sick, helping the poor, educating the hopeless for a better life.

Freely you have received, freely give.

JUNE 2011

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In anticipation of our visit a canopy had been set up to provide shade and about 100 villagers sat in chairs, waiting expectantly. It is rather disconcerting to be treated as a celebrity when all you have done is turn up as a volunteer, but African village hospitality is welcoming and we took our privileged seats in front of the assembled village. Over the next two hours they shared their needs, desires and experiences of the Medical Clinic in a positive way.

The highlight for me was when a dozen young women decked out in their colourful costumes and headgear suddenly appeared with their babies - all born at the clinic in the last few months.

At the end of these proceedings, drums and other musical instruments suddenly appeared and dancing ensued. It was impossible to resist joining in - much to the joy and amusement of the locals.

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A separate trip was arranged to discuss the Health and Education Program. We arrived at a village to be greeted by 50 volunteers, all wearing their "AusAid Togo" bibs and beaming with pride and expectation. To me it seemed a little surprising that in a poor country with no social services, malnutrition, high unemployment, and a daily struggle to survive, that people would be prepared to volunteer their time to help others. The volunteers were invited to express their hopes and aspirations and explain why they wanted to volunteer for this project. A sea of hands went up and stories from the heart unfolded about improving life in their villages.

The example of the leadership of Every Home Global Concern in Togo to help the less fortunate is clearly a driving force for the organisation. And the country provides much opportunity for this. The majority of the population is still founded in animism and the village witch doctor has strong sway on their day to day lives. A visit to the Fetish Market in Lome was a gruesome revelation for a westerner. All manner of animal parts - skulls of elephant, Rhino, crocodile, dried birds and small mammals, and an array of bizarre items and idols were on display. Not only were these items directing the spiritual lives of the inhabitants, they were also being used to treat medical conditions at the expense of the western remedies available.

The Every Home Global Concern programs in Togo are providing vital support for the village communities and are being driven, provided, and embraced by locals on the ground. I was most impressed by the local management of Togo and felt that the direct contact that Every Home Global Concern has with the local management and the programs convinced me that money sent from overseas is received and applied in the way that it is intended.

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The Medical Centre was built many years ago and has been in operation but this is the first year when staff have been trained to go into the villages.

There are 5 teams like this one with Edoh Fiozandji the Togo National Director.

Another volunteer health educator said "most of our population don't know about HIV/AIDS and the young people are being infected. If I can be trained in health education I want to be able to help youth avoid HIV/AIDS."

"I have 5 children and 3 of them have received medical help from the clinic for Malaria and fever." - Local villager

The nearest village to the clinic would like to get a water conection installed to pipe water to it.Total cost estimated at $3,500. So far they have raised $500.

"I really like seeing the joy on the faces of the population when I visit to teach and seeing the impact in the lives of the children."

- Health Educator (left) qualified in Public Health on his project motor bike ready to train all the volunteer workers.