PRESENTATION
[by Rebeccca Hollender, US Volunteer -> mailto: becky_hollender@yahoo.com ]
Introduction
Woezo loo!
These are the words that you will be greeted with wherever you travel in Togo. In Ewe, the salutation means welcome, and the correct response is to say “yoo.”
Upon completion of my undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA, I decided to embark on an adventure to learn what I could about development in Africa, and hopefully be a help to some people along the way. After much research I discovered Jeunes Volontaires pour l’Environnement-Togo (Young Volunteers for the Environment.) They requested the help of volunteers to implement their projects, which aim at providing the youth of Togo with a better education and therefore the means to improve their way of life and environment.
And so eight months later I find myself in Lomé, Togo working in a tiny, yet productive office, with a group of hopeful and enthusiastic Togolese volunteers. It is inspiring to see these young people, who are students or work full time, contribute their own money and time to make the organization work. In three short weeks I have already been a part of a radio program to teach people about genetically modified organisms and the associated risks. I also met with influential and active people in sustainable development in Togo, including the Minister of the Interior, Mr. François A. Boko, and learned a great deal about the many projects taking place in Togo to combat the serious problems the country is facing.
I have encountered only friendly and welcoming people who are willing to go out of their way to make sure I am having a pleasant stay. I am impressed by the hopefulness of the people, and their desire to make positive changes in their country.
In this presentation I provide information about Togo as well as the NGO, Jeunes Volontaires pour l’Environnement. After my 10 months stay (January 2003 – October 2003) in the midst of this motivated youths, I believe they will become more influential as time continues as they have already proven to be a great asset to the people of Togo. Please, visit them to better touch what I mean.
I hope that you will join us in making positive changes in Togo by providing financial and technical support to the projects outlined below.
Thank you for your interest, and I look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Hollender
Volunteer and American Representitive, JVE-Togo
B.P. 80470
Lomé, Togo
becky_hollender@yahoo.com, rmhollender@wisc.edu
Our History
Jeunes Volontaires pour l’Environnement (JVE) began as a small group of youth who were touched by the degradation of their land and the impoverishment of their people. They gathered weekly in the rural village of Tsiko (a mountainous area of Togo) to discuss issues of environment and development. Their concern for the environment and frustration with the lack of information on environmental issues available to them, prompted them to organize and begin working to provide a better future for the youth of Togo. JVE was founded in 2000 in accordance with Agenda 21 and the principle that “education is important to change the attitudes of the people and to ensure that populations have the necessary tools to assess and tackle the problems of sustainable development.” JVE is an non-profit, non-governmental organization that operates solely though the work of volunteers.
YVE is a UN-CSD accredited NGO that has about 30 local represention thoughout the country and has the biggest membership in the country. It is moreover the biggest volunteer driven volunteer organisation in the region. It worked with 20 short-term volunteers in 2003.
Volunteers came from all over the world (Cape Verde, Italy, France, Sweden, USA, UK, Finland, Nigeria, Switzerland, Austria) and stayed with us involving in various activities.
Becky Hollender from USA (becky_hollender@yahoo.com)
Eeva Sederholm from Finland (eesederholm@hotmail.com)
Steve from UK (steve_caruana@yahoo.co.uk)
and Sybille from Switzerland (sibyllestuder@hotmail.com) will be happy to give you necessary proofs.
Mission
The mission of JVE is to educate, empower, and support the youth of Togo in order to involve them in the sustainable development process, for they are the beneficiaries or victims of today's decisions.
Past and Ongoing Projects
• Organization of the First Youth Conference on Sustainable Development
• Clean-up activities in public places
• Summer youth camps
• Public AIDS Awareness and Education campaigns
• Public Education on Genetically Modified Organisms and Climate Change
• Capicity Building for grassroots organizations
• Earth Day Activities in Lomé, Togo (April 22)
Tree-planting, education of TV and radio journalists on environmental issues, parades, clean-up projects, educational conferences, television and radio programs.
• Water Day Activities in Lomé, Togo (March 22)
• Weekly radio program: “ Environmental Corner”
• Promotion of Solar Cookers
• International Volunteer Day
• Promotion of ecological products to replace the use of DDT in the fight against malaria
Current Projects
JVE is currently implementing the following projects. All of these projects are aimed at providing economically disadvantaged youth and local communities with a better understanding of the environmental issues facing them and the rest of the planet. As a result, students will have an opportunity that was not available to previous generations: access to current global information sources, internet communication, and an education that stresses the importance of environmental protection and cultural heritage preservation.
PS: As it is very difficult to fundraise here in Togo, JVE members do fund these activities with their own money or bring in their personal belongings.
• Sustainable Development education
After the World Summit on Sustainable Development, it appeared urgent to start a holistic approach as to educating the people about this new terminology: sustainable development. Consequently, a nice project has been drafted by the organization representatives in Joburg in order to render this program be as simple and efficient as possible. Translating the sustainability concept and its new challenges into local languages and in easy-to-understand terms is not a small task. Why, the project will use the “Earth Charter” as a basic tool. Based on this, a book will be published in french then translated in local dialects for its full use by both the population and schools. A national seminar and regional workshops will help teachers understand the book and will precede the use of this book as a teaching material. Other activities intended to involve the youth in the sustainability process are also scheduled.
PS: A drafting committee has already been selected, some translations done and the Minister of Education informed but the project (evaluated to cost about 5000 USD) is awaiting funds for its effective implementation.
• Introduction of Computers and Internet into Rural Schools
In order to provide isolated rural populations in Togo with the means for a better education and access to global information sources, we will provide ten rural Computer and Technology Training Centers with computer, printing, and internet sevices. Currently these areas have little or no exposure to computer technology or internet communication. This is a hinderance to development and education because the people do not have the same information available to them as developed areas throughout the world. Upon installing the computers, we will recruit professors to teach six month courses in computer science and technology in local schools. Upon completion of the courses the students will be evaluated. Those who excel will take over teaching positions and assume responsibilities for a computer and technoloy club.
When not in use for education, the Centers will be available to students and the public as an internet cafe at inexpensive rates. This will ensure the financial self-sufficiency of the Center. After one year there will be a total project evaluation, and modifications as necessary will be made in order to expand into other disadvantaged areas.
• Environmental Education Project in Schools: Ecology and Conscience
In 2003 classes were taught in 3 schools in Lomé. The following subject matter was covered: Ecology, Sustainable Development, Water, Air, Soil, Energy, Population and Health, Poverty Reduction, Globalization, and Biodiversity. These classes were taught over the course of six months by JVE volunteers. The volunteers underwent training before teaching commences. For the school year 2003-2004 we will continue this project beginning in October. The goal of the classes is to give students a deep understanding of the ecological processes that surround them, to instill a respect for the environment, and to raise awaraness of development issues affecting the people of Togo and other underdeveloped countries. Values such : reuse, recycle, reduce and repair are seriously emphasized.
In 2004, the project will start in february in three schools and will involve a dozen of volunteer teachers. It is expected to be extended to various branches in other cities, in case it receives some funding.
• Cultural Biodiversity (Education) Project
In order to better preserve Togolese biocultural diversity, JVE is working on implementing a project into primary and secondary schools in Togo in which students will conduct research to explore and connect with their cultural traditions. An emphasis is being placed on learning the value of local environments to different cultures. It is based on a project that has been very successful in Ethiopia through the African Biodiversity Network. The framework to begin the project in Togo has been drafted and received a good response from Sybille Studer, a Swiss Volunteer who is currently implementing this project in Kpele Tsiko, a rural community in the Plateau Region. This project is expected to help identify the clear link between culture and environment. Many activities are associated to this research : story-telling, cultural events, traditional dance parties, tree-planting... It is important to note that this project is entirely conducted by volunteers of the JVE local branch, under the supervision of a Survey specialist, member of the Board of Directors. The Project is full funded by JVE . The first phase will be conducted between 1st December 2003 and March 2004.
• Summer Youth Camps
In August 2003, a three week long summer camp was held in Danyi-N’Digbe. The participants included Togolese, American, and English volunteers. The camps major activities were to collect information from the village for the creation of a local Agenda 21 document, and to teach a vacation school to the children of the village. The Agenda 21 document, the first of its kind to be written in Togo and the sub-region, will present the village and its needs with the long term goal of acheiving sustainable development, as defined at the World Summit for Sustainable Development. Other activities included cultural exchanges and visits to sites of interest in the region. The Agenda 21 document is currently being written by the elaboration committee and is expected to be published before the end of 2003.
• Reinforcing Capacity of Local JVE Branches
JVE has numerous branches throughout the country which are at various stages of development. Begining in Sept 2003 and continuing through the year 2004, JVE will work to assist local branches with their organisation and realisation of projects. Members of the national branch in Lomé will travel to the interior branches to provide special support to each local association. Efforts to improve inter-branch communication will also be included in the project. In the long run, these branches are to become a strong Ecological Youth Network. Needless to say, financial support to these engaged youth groups will be critical in their capacity building.
• Eco-Development Television Program
JVE produces a weekly television program on TV2, a local television station in Lomé. Themes include genetically modified organisms, information and communication technologies, volunteering, and other environment and developent issues. The program can be watched every Wednesday between 8h30 – 9h30 PM and on Saturdays from 10’30 AM.
JVE also hosts weekly informative radio programs on TROPIK FM which advocate environmental protection, AIDS campaigns and youth empowerment.
• Support Center for People living or affected by HIV / AIDS
In conjunction with an American Hospital, JVE hopes to construct a support center in a terribly affected area in order to provide medical care for those who are HIV-Positive. The center will try to fight the ostracism and ignorance for these “normal patients” within their communities. Apropriate medication, moral support and financial assistance may be provided as far the money raised can allow. As AIDS is continuing is terrible attack on the population in spite of numerous traditionnal campaigns, it is more than urgent to think about another way of fighting the disease. Helping HIV-positive patients and building their capacity to spearhead the campaigns can bring better results. About 10 % of the togolese population is HIV-positive, according to an unofficial source.
All health care volunteers are welcome to help on this project. Financial support is also appreciated as the whole project in the first phase will necessitate a total of 52.358 $.
• Water Relief Projects
JVE is currently in the organisational phase of two different water relief projects : one to eventually dig wells for ten of the most water-stressed villages in Togo, and the other to repair existing water structures in the village of Danyi-N’Digbe in response to urgent needs identified during the summer camp. Both projects will include sensibilization of villagers on issues of hygiene, water protection, and maintenance of water structures. Water Management Committees will be elected by the village, in cooperation with locally based NGOs, to take responsibility for the maintence of water sources and the creation of a repairs fund. Repairs are scheduled to begin in Danyi-N’Digbe in January 2003. While JVE will provide the main fund the village is expected to give 30% of the necessary 2000 USD that this project requires.
• Cultural Exchanges
A wonderful project is the cultural exchange program. This official partnership between JVE and other youth networks (like the swedish youth network) will enable information, materials and volunteer exchange. Obviously, this program will encourage eco-tourism and instill in young spirits the value of solidarity, brotherhood and sharing. Thus, the participants will learn how to value its culture and sherish other’s.
• Local Agenda 21
As a follow up of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, JVE has undertaken initiatives aimed at drafting the first local Agenda 21 for Danyi Ndigbe, a mountainous rural community in Togo. This is the first attempt ever done in West Africa for endowing a community with this tool that will influence local governance, development projects, economic growth, gender mainstreaming and foster local participation for the 10-15 years to come.
During an international youth work camp, Volunteer from Togo, USA, England, Spain, Cape Verde, and 10 local representatives of all stakeholders of the village gathered relevant information necessary to this end. A noteworthy support was brought by the local Village Development Committee (VDC) and the local «Association des Jeunes pour la Protection de l’Environnement» (AJPE).The team of Interviewers first got trained by M AFENYIVE Florent, a University Sociology Professor and were consulted by ADEDZI Azel and ADENYO Isaie, two Students in Anthropology. The project got also moral support from the Ministry of Decentralisation, the Direction of Environment, the Focal Point of the Commission on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), the High Commissionner of Danyi and local NGOs.
The first phase, that is the collection of data was succesfully completed with a wonderful participation of the village. Currently, we’re searching for some Fund for the drafting, rereading, edition and printing of the final document.
Vision for the Future
Our vision for the world is a society in which no man or woman, regardless of tribe, creed, social status, gender, race, religion etc., will be abused, insulted, or deprived of means to earn their livelihood. We have the moral obligation to render service to humanity and ensure a good future for our youth. We believe that meaningful acheivement cannot be made in the world without the full support of the youth who are leaders of today, tomorrow, and the future.
Awards, Conferences, and Connections
In two short years JVE-Togo has been internationally recognized for its efforts. JVE was presented with the International Award of Excellence for Best Performance by the Council of International Awards (2001-2002). Also, a founding member and current executive director, Sena Alouka, was recently given in Washington, the 2002 IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) and Reuters Award for Environmental Press.
JVE was involved in the success of numerous international conventions
• Swedish National Youth Council General Assembly, Stockholm , December 2003
• Second World Summit for Dam-affected Peoples in Dasi Salai, Thailand, November 2003
• African Ministerial Conference on Water (AMCOW) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, November 2003
• Launching of the African Civil Society Network on Water, Nairobi, Kenya, October 2003
• NEPAD and Water Workshop in Johannesburg, South Africa, November 2003
• UNEP TUNZA Youth Summit in Dubna, Russia, March 2003
• Workshops on Biodiversity, GMOs, Environmental Impact Assessment... in Togo in 2003
• The International Youth Summit in Mogwase, South Africa
• Regional Workshop on Agroforestry and Soil Conservation in the context of the UNCCD, Lomé
• Southern NGO Summit and African Civil Society Strategic Meeting, Zerala, Algeria
• Award Ceremony of the 2002 UICN –Reuters Media Press Award, Washington DC, USA
• Ministerial Preparatory Summit in Bali, Indonesia, June 2002
• France National Preparation towards the World Earth Summit, Rennes, France
• African Biodiversity Conference on Globalization, Biodiversity and GMOs in Awassa, Ethiopia
• Workshop on the Implementation of the UN Convention on POPs in Africa, Arusha, Tanzania
• Adoption of the National Assessment and the Implementation Plan of Agenda 21, Lomé, Togo
• 2002 International Youth Summit and the World Summit on Sustanable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa
JVE holds memberships with numerous youth and environmental networks
• Water Education for Teachers, Bozeman, Montana, USA
• World Youth Organization on Climate Change, UK
• Child Right Information Network, USA
• International Youth Caucus
• Global Alliance for Incinerators Alternatives, Phillipines
• Volunteer Associations Network, Togo
• World Information Transfer, USA
• Idealist.org, USA
• TakingItGlobal, Canada
• Global Youth Action Network, USA
• Earth Day Network, USA
• International Pesticide Action Network, USA
• Earthaction, USA
• Terralingua, USA
• ASEED, Netherlands
• African Biodiversity Network, Ethiopia
• Youth Associations Network for Sustainable Development, Togo
PS: The last network is chaired by JVE
Members
General Assembly:
Started with a group of 5 young volunteers, JVE has as of december 2002, about 500 members all around the country.
Important to note: all these young boys and girls work voluntarily. And it works!!!
Local Branches
As a nation-wide NGO, JVE has about 30 functional local representations in various cities in Togo (Kpalime, Tsiko, Ele, Amlame). In the long run, JVE local groups are to be established in every city of the country. These branches do implement small projects such tree planting, gardening, river cleaning, AIDS campaigns, participation in youth camps etc...
International Representation
For its outstanding activities with only local resources, more and more people have volunteers to serve as JVE representatives in their countries! As examples:
Caroline ( Sweden), Rebecca (Chicago), Tyler (California) Lorene (New York), Sandrine ( France ), Koko (Ghana), Mokpokpo (Niger), Steve (England), Ricardo (Italy), Eeva (Finland), Sybille (Switzerland), Steve (Cape Verde)
Board of Directors
President : ATITSOGBE Kossi, Regional Representative of DISPHARM
General Secretary: KOUDADJE Joyce, a Computer Engineer
General Treasurer: ADENYO Esaie, Anthropologist
First Advisor: KOUGBENYA Matthias, ICT Technician
Second Advisor: ADEDZI Azel, Anthropologist
Executive Bureau
Executive Director: ALOUKA, Sena
Chief Administrator (secretary): AKPADJA Adeline
Program Officer (accountant): KATAKOU Olivier, Phillipe HOUNSI
Current Volunteers: Sibylle (Switzerland), Vouley Marc (Togo)
Temporary Volunteers: Grace (Nigeria), Britt (Sweden), Christine (Austria), Ricardo (Italy), Laura (Togo), Eeva (Finland), Gabrielle (Austria), Rebecca Hollender (USA), Steve (England)
Urgent Needs
Simply put, this young organization with these full achievements needs capacity building. They have worked to a point that their personal contribution can not continue the work: they require external assistance.
As Human Resources, the help of more volunteers to help strengthen the local groups of JVE in various cities of Togo will be very helpful. A specialist of NGO management can also help.
Materially, the office of the NGO must be enlarged and air-conditioned, as working in a terrible heat is not fitted to help concentrate. The group needs office equipment and more adequate computers and printing machine.
One of the crucial needs of this ever-growing group is transportation means. The NGO has no car nor bike for their transport and this enormously reduce their output as it takes time and more money to use taxis or Zemidjan (a wonderful moto taxi system).
Institutionally, it is important also to provide for internship or training for those working in the office for their capacity building, as half of them have not taken any prior environmental course.
Financially, JVE must be able to have a budget for its day-to-day expenses. More importantly, it becomes vital hence onward to give some money to those working full time in the office (not as salaries but may be like Subsistence Allowances or financial encouragement). It is clear that volunteer-led projects are well implemented but these volunteers need to sustain themselves.
Conclusion
As Eleanor Roosevelt, once said, “the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” It is with this same attitude of mind that, motivated youths in this modest organization are striving to have a share in the development of their communities. As you could have easily guessed, living is hard in this part of the world but these do believe that another tomorrow is possible for them if they do not give up. Some of the groups do strongly believe in a coming earthly paradise, wherein all sufferings, strife, pollution and war will be no more. Meanwhile, they are firmly determined to better living conditions of their ‘people’, as they say. Some of them have the opportunity to travel and stay abroad and work for money, but they decide to stay here an rather contribute with their own earnings to let the NGO properly run. Needless to say, this decision brings to them lot of opposition and mockery. Togo is under an EU ban that render life very difficult here. Few organizations do properly function as fundraising here is virtually unsuccessful, even useless.
But today, this youth-led group has gained a wonderful reputation from the Environment authorities, International organizations, NGO community, the international development organizations and more importantly from the local villages. And this, by playing with the spirit of volunteering and sharing.
Of course, there is a lot to be done and this organization can not pretend to end all the environmental problems in Togo. But as Gandhi said;; “no one should minimize the capacity of individuals to change the world” and this really fits this young volunteers. A saying in the Executive Director’s village says: “ It is only one man who kills the elephant but it is all the village that profits from it”. With this in mind, you can be assured that all your generous donations and contributions will be greatly appreciated and used for the benefit of the whole community.
For more information, you may visit:
http://www.cooperationtogo.net/jve , http://www.config6.net/jve (official website in construction)
http://www.inmotionmagazine.com/global/jsa1.html (an interview of the Director in Johannesburg)
http://www.uicn.org/reuters/2002/winfrafrica.htm (the winning article for the Reuters Award) )
http://www.idealist.org/orgs/92733 (volunteer positions and event postings of the JVE)
References
Minister of Interior and Decentralization
Tel: 2226034 / 2213712
The Chief Cabinet of the Ministry of the Environment and the Forest Resource of Togo
Tel: 2212897
Director of the Environmental Office
Tel: 2213321 / 2215197
Coordinator of the Togolese Environmental Action Plan
Tel: 2218690
UNDP Environment Program Officer
Tel: 2200112
NGO Friends of the Earth Executive Director
Tel: 2211731
President, Togolese Volunteer Associations Network
rav@cooperationtogo.net
Vice President, Youth Associations Network for Sustainable Development
Tel: 2200112