Togomonde 106 Sept Oct 2016

106 TOGOMONDE 2016
Issue No. 106,

Sep-Oct 2016
News from the PDH Social Centre Promotion et Dveloppement Humain
Please help us with our campaign to Raise the Roof for PDH!
Go to www.gofund.me/raisetheroofpdh or www.gofund.me/rtrpdh and
see Section 3 for more information.
PDH is looking for previous volunteers to leave reviews on a few
websites. Please see Section 10 for more details!
Please scroll down to read the recent news from Togo and the work done by PDH.
1. Our Objectives at PDH

2. Business as Usual
3. Good News
4. Sad News
5. Whats New in Togo?
6. Volunteer News: Join Us!
7. Reflections on Donations
8. How to Donate
9. Sponsorship: Distance Adoption
10. Help With Empty Pockets
11. A Great Big THANK YOU!
This issue of TOGOMONDE was written by:
Catherine Teresa Lawlor, Irish ; 162th volunteers at PDH Lom, Togo, West Africa
Zachary Hollo, Australian ; 164th volunteers at PDH Lom, Togo, West Africa
Henning Sonsterud, Norwegian ; 165th volunteers at PDH Lom, Togo, West Africa
Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Dveloppement Humain
02 B.P. 20832 Lom, Togo, West Africa Tel: 00228 22 51 77 52 / 90 10 46 34
E-Mail: centre_social@yahoo.fr
Website: www.pdh-togo.org / www.pdh-info.tg
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PDHTogo Twitter: www.twitter.com/PDHTogo
TOGO MONDE No. 106, September - October 2016
1 Our Objectives at PDH

::
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 povertystricken.
::
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.

Business as Usual
Distributing school material

We arrived at a church complex at 8 in the morning. Already there was a large crowd
gathered. Mothers, fathers, sons and daughters were patiently waiting in a pavilion for the
team from PDH. The whole group of people followed us in to a class room where an
interactive meeting about the previous school year would take place. Antoine and the
team, plus a nun from the church spoke, the attendees listened. Afterwards there was an
extensive question and answer round between the PDH employees and the children. What
grade where they in. What subjects did they like the most and the least, what was difficult
and why.
After this long session we set up five different stations. Three stations for registering
names and controlling school papers. Then they were sent over to the station delivering
the school material; A bag with lots of notebooks, pens and pencils. And at last they were
to check in at a final station before they left. On this particular day we distributed material
to 51 students, and a good while out in the afternoon, the last ones could leave with the
safety of their child in possetion of the necessities for another year of school.
This was the first of many distribution sessions like this. Every Tuesday and Thursday this
would happen until the start of school on the 17 th of October. A rough estimate from
Antoine was that about 500 students would be aided by PDH for this year of school.
Henning Sonsterud

3 Good News
Raise the Roof of PDH
PDH started off in a little hut in
1999 and has grown to what it is
today because of local and
foreign aid. Yet there is still quite
a long way to go. Support
sessions, homework classes
and Accueil-Ecoutes (welcome
and listen) are currently held
outside and are subject to the
relentless heat of the African
sun as well as the downpour of
the rainy season. Two previous
volunteers from Ireland and
Canada began fundraising to
raise the roof over three new rooms in order to accommodate these sessions, as currently
all that stands are their concrete wall frameworks. Warren and Catherine raised a
substantial amount through their efforts and construction is now underway. However, the
funds raised are still significantly short of the projected costs of the roof, so more funding is
required. Donations from Australia have more recently contributed to close the gap in the
finances need, yet still fall short of expected budget necessary for the completion of the
project.
The following links have both the Irish and Canadian fundraising campaigns as well as
more information on the status of the roof:
www.gofund.me/raisetheroofpdh or www.gofund.me/rtrpdh. Zachary Hollo
Factory visit
to inspect the
quality of the
building
materials
Delivery day!
650 blocks,
hoisted oneby-one to the
upper floor
Photos by Catherine Teresa Lawlor

Sad News
The sad reality of domestic violence

The morning of Friday 23rd of September, PDH welcomed a mother and her three children
Ousman (04-83), Salifou (04-84) and Komlan (04-82). The children had bruises all over
their bodies. At the age of two, five, and only 4 months they had gone through systematic
beating by their father. They had scars from old wounds, they had fresh wounds, infected
wounds, and they were malnourished and anemic. PDH took them to the main public
hospital of Lom, the CHU-Sylvanus Olympio Hospital. Now they are taken good care of
there, they are on the path to recovery, and the father accused of beating them is with the
police.
The following week we followed up on them, and made sure the hospital bills were paid.
After the first visit, they had all been moved to the trauma section of the hospital. The 5year old were the only one awake at all times we visited them, the youngest ones sleeping.
The 5-year old never uttered a word, despite the mother and people of PDHs gentle
attempts at asking questions and making conversation. It was obvious the difficult situation
had took its toll on the young childs mind.
A truly sad situation, but now with the help of PDH : with the proper prerequisites for a
better outcome. Henning Sonsterud
5 Whats New in Togo?

Sommet of Lom
The main streets and downtown Lom have been getting cleaned and shined up the last
couple of weeks. As I write this, on Monday the 10 th of October, the Summet of Lom is
starting down by the grand Radisson Blu hotel in the city center. It will go on until the 15th
of October.
This is a maritime summit by the African Union that has been advertised a lot for here in
Lom leading up to it. The main five themes of the summet are maritime piracy, illicit traffic
of all sorts, illicit fishing, conservation of the maritime environment, and the sea as a factor
of development. A lot of the Togolese people are fishers, and fish is an important part of
what they eat. Lom also have a large deep-water port with goods coming in from all over
the world. A maritime summit here seems quite natural.
Representatives from the African Union, the African nations, and United Nations will here
discuss solutions to the previously mentioned main themes of the summit. It is covered on
the TV-Togo news, and there are big screens outside the congress palace for the people
to follow what is going on.
One of the statues set up for the summit.

Taken in a roundabout near the national soccer stadium.
6 Volunteer News: Join Us!

PDH warmly welcomes international interest in our volunteer program. We have hosted a
diverse crowd in Lom over the last decade from solo travellers, to groups of friends, to
one mother-daughter pairing all of whom fit into the organisation equally well.
Regardless of your age (we have seen 19 through to 67) or your profession, volunteer
work in Togo can be a profound, rewarding and enjoyable experience.
Volunteer Testimonial
I reckon this volunteer testimonial is meant for other people of industrialized
countries seeking something different. Along with something different, a stay at PDH
also comes with possibilites of helping out a nice little organisation that makes
massive differences in the lives of individuals in the area.
If you are able to appreciate all the different impressions you get at all hours of the
day, you will constantly perceive something that excites your mind. From the dirt
roads with as much potholes as road in it that turns to streams in the rain. To the
birds, roosters, lizards and goats that make the sound backdrop everything from
calm and peaceful to noisy and chaotic.
The people you meet are pleasant and friendly. Although the people in the streets
here never seems to get used to a yovo (white man), so youll have to get used to
looks and heckles.
When you get here, be flexible and creative. Dont get discouraged by the
disfunctionalities that comes with a country this poor, but look for solutions and
possibilities, the latter are endless.
All in all. Coming here was for me an adventure, although calling it that feels a bit
odd, when I know that Im just sliding into the regular lives of the Togolese. Im
thankful for the treatment Ive gotten, and filled with a lot of experiences and
memories to reflect on and take with me.
th
Henning Sonsterud, Norwegian ; 165 International Volunteer at PDH

Goodbye and Thank You
N
163
164
Name
Warren Trottier
Zachary Hollo
Nationality
Canadian
Australian
Date of Arrival
th
9 March 2016
th
9 April 2016
Departure
nd
2 April 2016
15 May 2016
Nationality
Norwegian
th
Date of Arrival
8 September 2016
Proposed Departure
th
14 October 2016
Nationality
Proposed Arrival
Proposed Departure
Current Volunteers
N
165
Name
Henning Snsterud
Confirmed Future Volunteers

N
166
Name
Katie & Luana

Want to add your name to the list? Read on!
What does a typical work day look like?

From Monday to Friday, you will typically 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.
What is the accommodation like?

You will stay in a family home, either at the centre or with a partnering family. You will
have a private, 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!
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/US$200) donation on arrival.
Full board accommodation is provided at a rate of 25,000 CFA (37.50/ US$50) per
week, i.e. the total for twelve weeks would be 400,000f CFA (600/US$800).
How can I fund my trip?

While living expenses in Lom are low, getting here can be a financial challenge.
Research flights on sites such as http://skycanner.com, http://hipmunk.com or
http://matrix.itasoftware.com to find the cheapest option. You might want to consider
fundraising through friends and family or researching organisations that offer
volunteer grants, such as
http://go-volunteerabroad.com/volunteer-abroad-scholarship.
How can I access my money while in Togo?

Please note that only VISA bankcards work in Togo. MasterCard, Maestro and
American Express are not accepted anywhere. ATMs are not difficult to find; there is
one a relatively short distance from the centre. There are also Western Union and
MoneyGram outlets in case you need to have money sent from home.
How can I get more information?

For more information on volunteering and what life in Lom is like, you can visit our
website, www.pdh-togo.org. You should also like us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/PDHTogo to get updates on our work here.
How can I apply to be a volunteer at PDH?

Express your interest today by sending an email to pdh_volontaires@yahoo.fr or
centre_social@yahoo.fr. Please allow up to one week for our reply, we work with a
very limited internet connection! When you receive a response, please carefully read
the Essential Guidelines for Volunteering at PDH, which we forward to all
prospective volunteers.

7 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 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 happily accept
any packages. 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 Dveloppement Humain,
B.P. 20832 Lom, Togo, Africa.
Please email centre_social@yahoo.fr to let

us know were expecting a package as our
post office does not directly notify us of
deliveries.
8 How to Donate
Very often at PDH we are forced to turn away people that we quite simply cannot
help due to our extremely limited financial and material resources. We are 100%
dependant on donations and volunteers and believe that PDH is an excellent choice
for those of you who wish to donate money to a small non-governmental, non-profit
aid organization. Our administrative costs are very low and we guarantee that your
donation, in its entirety, will provide relief that is desperately required by those in
need. Before making a donation, we recommend consulting us to decide the best
method in order to avoid excessive fees.
By cheque sent
directly to Lom (in
, US$ or ):
Payable to: Centre Social PDH

Address: 02 B.P. 20832, Lom, Togo, West Africa.
Please be aware that it might take several weeks to arrive as the post can
be quite slow.
By Western Union,
Ria or MoneyGram:
Please make sure to

centre_social@yahoo.fr
By bank transfer:
Orabank
Togo
Code Banque
Code Guichet
TG116
01101
IBAN (Identifiant International)
TG53TG1160110104000025710480
Domiciliation
LOME
CENTRE SOC. PROMO DEV. HUM
BP 20832
LOME
send
the
transfer
details
via
email
to
Relev didentit bancaire

Numro de Compte
040000257104
Cl RIB
80
Code BIC
ORBKTGTG

9 Sponsorship: Distance Adoption

PDH supporters now have the opportunity to
sponsor a child, adult, or family, providing one
year of school tuition and food for a child,
subsidising an apprenticeship to set a young
person up for life, or helping a struggling family
put food on the table. Ongoing sponsorship
enables PDH to commit to helping individuals
or families over the long term, and alleviates
some of the precarity of relying on ad hoc
donations.
1. The future Sponsor will contact Centre Social PDH to express their preference in
sponsoring a:
a. Girl aged 18 years or under
b. Boy aged 18 years or under
c. Girl aged 19 years or above
d. Boy aged 19 years or above
e. Family
2. The Sponsor will complete the Agreement/Contract of Sponsorship Between
PDH and Sponsor and email to PDH: 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 correspondence to the Sponsored Person via
Centre Social PDH
02 BP 20832 Lom, Togo
Tel # 00228 22 51 77 52 / 90 10 46 34
Email: centre_social@yahoo.fr
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.
8. Centre Social PDH receives the donation and ensures the money is used
effectively to help the Sponsored Person.
9. Centre Social PDH will regularly follow up on the Sponsored Persons 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 Persons situation.
N
1
2
3
SUGGESTED DONATION TO COVER THE NEEDS OF A SPONSORED PERSON

NEED
AMOUNT
Monthly Supply of Food
23 Euro
Monthly Expense to Monitor Sponsored Person
4 Euro
Annual School Fees / Professional Apprenticeship Fees
45 / 12 = 3.75 Euro
Monthly Total
30.75 Euro

10
C E N T R E
S O C I A L
Promotion et Dveloppement Humain

BP 20832 Lom Tl :(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 Number ____________________________________________________
Email Address ________________________________________________________
I, the Sponsor, agree to sponsor a (select one):
Girl aged 18 years or under

Boy aged 18 years or under
Girl aged 19 years or above
Boy aged 19 years or above
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: centre_social@yahoo.fr
Please see Section 8: How to Donate for details

on how to transfer funds to PDH.

11
10 Help With Empty 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 limitations. There are, however,
various alternatives to sending money
that can greatly benefit the humanitarian
work of PDH.
Promote PDH Our website (www.pdhtogo.org) features a Download Depot,
which stores posters and various images. You can download and print these items in
order to promote our organization in relevant locations around your town or city, e.g.
cafs, churches and universities. You could provide them with a copy of this
newsletter to distribute.
Spread the word Help to raise our profile by telling your friends and family about us
and showing them this newsletter. The more people who know about PDH, the
greater our support network - it's that simple. You may know somebody who is in a
position to promote 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.
Like us on Facebook! Every acknowledgement of our work means a lot to the local
volunteers, so consider liking us today! Please go to www.facebook.com/PDHTogo
and click Like to receive regular updates on the vital work were doing here in Togo!
We now have over 250 likes on our Facebook page. Thank you so much to those
who have supported us in this way.
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, hosting a dinner with a silent
auction, or organising a table quiz. Please see Section 8: How to Donate for details
on how to transfer funds to PDH in Togo.
Previous Volunteers Please consider taking the time to leave a testimonial on the
following websites:
Go
Abroad: www.goabroad.com/providers/promotion-et-d-veloppementhumain-promotion-and-human-development/programs/promotion-and-humandevelopment-139766
Go Overseas: www.gooverseas.com/volunteer-abroad/togo/pdh/21322
Volunteer4Africa: Email PDH if you are willing to leave a review and we will
send your information to V4A so that you can have a free account to do so.

12
11 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. Akpe kaka! Merci
beaucoup!
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
www.pdh-togo.org or turn to Section 7!
Special thanks to:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Nico Naper
Clare Ballerini
Carolin Spreckelsen
Anthony Bongiovanni
George Diab
Alicia Chua
Holly McCarthy
Melissa Arsov
Volkan Uzungil
Megan Hollo
Aaron Walford
Victoria Cook
Hayden Pyke
Hayden Keane
Robyn McConville
John David

13
Our Team for the Month: September-October 2016

N
N/Ref
NAME
DATE OF
ARRIVAL
NATIONALITY
OCCUPATION/
PROFESSION
ADMINISTRATION
01
01
DZAKAS Y. S.
Antoine
Togolese
th
15 February 1999
02
10
DUNYA Rachel
rd
Togolese
3 April 2003
President and Founder,

International relations,
Correspondence,
Communication,
Mail distribution
Coordinator at the centre
FIELD TEAM
03
339
04
340
05
346
06
350
07
351
08
352
09
165
10
354
11
355
KADANGA
Maguilur Bella
MOTCHON Ulrich
Togolese
AGBEZUDO Adzo
Clementine
KPANTCHARE
Kantam Alfred
SADZO HETSU
Kossiwa Makafui
MLAGA Akou
Enyonam
SNSTERUD
Henning
YAYA Rahamatou
Togolese
DEGNIDE Dossavi
Love
Togolese
Togolese
Togolese
Togolese
Togolese
Norvgien
Togolese
th
24 August 2015
Department of Adults
st
31 December 2015 Department of Adults
th
29 Mars 2016
st
1 July 2016
Department of Children
Department of Adults
th
Secretary Assistant
th
26 July 2016
06 September
2016
th
08 September
2016
th
26 September
2016
th
10 October 2016
International Volunteer
Accounting Assistant
Thank you for the work you do for us!

14

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106 TOGOMONDE 2016

Issue No. 106,

News from the PDH Social Centre Promotion et Dveloppement Humain

1. Our Objectives at PDH

TOGO MONDE No. 106, September - October 2016

1 Our Objectives at PDH

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 povertystricken.

To provide assistance and a means of gaining independence to

To assist the disadvantaged and poverty-stricken in regards to

To provide financial assistance and support for those seeking to

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

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

To care for children orphaned due to AIDS.

Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Dveloppement Humain

TOGO MONDE No. 106, September - October 2016

Distributing school material

Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Dveloppement Humain

TOGO MONDE No. 106, September - October 2016

Photos by Catherine Teresa Lawlor

Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Dveloppement Humain

TOGO MONDE No. 106, September - October 2016

The sad reality of domestic violence

5 Whats New in Togo?

TOGO MONDE No. 106, September - October 2016

One of the statues set up for the summit.

6 Volunteer News: Join Us!

Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Dveloppement Humain

TOGO MONDE No. 106, September - October 2016

Henning Sonsterud, Norwegian ; 165 International Volunteer at PDH

Confirmed Future Volunteers

Katie & Luana

Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Dveloppement Humain

TOGO MONDE No. 106, September - October 2016

Want to add your name to the list? Read on!

What does a typical work day look like?

What is the accommodation like?

How long can I stay?

How much does the program cost?

How can I fund my trip?

How can I access my money while in Togo?

How can I get more information?

How can I apply to be a volunteer at PDH?

Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Dveloppement Humain

TOGO MONDE No. 106, September - October 2016

Please email centre_social@yahoo.fr to let

Payable to: Centre Social PDH

Please make sure to

Relev didentit bancaire

Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Dveloppement Humain

TOGO MONDE No. 106, September - October 2016

9 Sponsorship: Distance Adoption

SUGGESTED DONATION TO COVER THE NEEDS OF A SPONSORED PERSON

Centre Social (PDH) Promotion et Dveloppement Humain

TOGO MONDE No. 106, September - October 2016

Promotion et Dveloppement Humain

Agreement/Contract of Sponsorship Between PDH and Sponsor

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

Girl aged 18 years or under

Please return completed form to PDH via email: centre_social@yahoo.fr