It really has been a long time since I've last checked in, and life here in Togo has really changed a lot for me. From October to January, I continued with my HIV/AIDS and sex ed class at my local middle school. In December, ten students used the information they learned in class to prepare and perform a skit debunking HIV myths and encouraging people to get tested and support people infected or affected by HIV. It took place during half time of the final match in the inter-class soccer tournament I organized with other teachers from the school. This is the first time I've ever really been in any sort of teaching position, and these classes really were a blast. For one hour a week, the students had the opportunity to learn about things that aren't typically addressed at school - HIV, STD's, how to use a condom, early pregnancy. Each week, we played games and held discussions about how and why there are so many misconceptions about these things here, and everyone (especially the young girls) had the opportunity to bring up issues of concern and ask questions in a completely safe environment. I also continued working with women in my neighborhood to learn income generating activities like making liquid soap and lotion. Most of these activities are cheap and simple and help families (especially women and young girls) earn a little money to pay school fees, buy school supplies, or just help support the family.
I also (finally) completed the second phase as my Men As Partners (MAP) training of teachers in the Maritime region. We had a LOT of logistical issues (the biggest one, caused by a delay in receiving funding, was deciding one day in advance that we HAD to carry out the training the next day or not at all), but ultimately all 40 teachers attended and enjoyed the three-day training. Sessions were facilitated by trainers that attended the Training of Trainers (TOT) in September, so I got to sit back and run logistics, advise and give feedback. A group of new volunteers also attended, and we got a quick visit by our Country Director, who showed her support and encouraged all the participants to apply this methodologie in their schools. The teachers participated in a practice exercise, where they were split into groups and facilitated sessions themselves for students at the local middle school. All in all, 40 participants taught ten different sessions affecting over 300 students, just during the training itself. Right now, my counterparts and I are preparing to visit all 23 schools to perform follow-up and evaluation activities with the teachers and their students. Overall, organizing this training has been the most challenging project I've worked on so far, but I've also learned a lot and continue to learn a lot from my Togolese counterparts while working on it.
Group of trainers and participants from my Tsevie MAP Training
After all of this, in January it was decided that I would change posts in order to continue working on follow-up for the MAP training, pursue other activities with the Inspectors of Education, and continue the work of a previous volunteer, focusing on apprentices. Although leaving my village was sad, and there are many things I will miss (mostly Grandmama's bear hugs, eating too much fufu, and playing UNO with my host family), I am extremely excited to be working on bigger projects in the city. Most notable, I will be working with apprentices, which are a huge underserved population of young Togolese boys and girls. Even though "Girls Education and Empowerment" sounds like it 1) only focuses on girls and 2) only focuses on formal education, the program is very broad and also aims to provide both girls and boys that do not attend school with the same knowledge and motivation they need to succeed as their "educated" peers. Here in Togo, many students drop out of school completely after troiseme (equivalent to 10th grade), especially if they do not pass the BEPC (the mandatory exam for admission into lycee - high school). Some of them find jobs, some stay at home or sell things, and some pursue apprenticeships in larger towns and cities. During an apprenticeship, girls and boys choose a trade (most common for girls - tailors and hairdressers, for boys - carpentry, mechanic), pay a fee, and spend a certain amount of time working for a business owner learning the skills neccessary to pass an exam. Once they pass this exam, they are certified to start their own business. Unfortunately for them, most apprentices don't receive the same level of education or opportunity as students, especially in what Peace Corps calls "Life Skills".
I think it's safe to say that most Peace Corps Volunteers all over the world have participated in Life Skills activities - through clubs, classes, camps, other other youth activities. These life skills are those that we learn as we grow up - communication skills, forming healthy relationships, self confidence, decision making, etc - but many youth in Togo don't really learn. The volunteer I've replaced in my new post previously worked in training business owners and teaching apprentices life skills classes as a supplement to their business and technical training. With my arrival, we've been planning on expanding these classes to include Men As Partners concepts, which moreso address issues of gender and behavior modification, and are more discussion-driven.
So overall, big changes and a lot of work going on, and only 9 and a half months left!
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