The N.O.W. program is part of the World Togolese Foundation’s continuous efforts to assist with the best of its abilities the Children of Togo in their pursuit of happiness. The WTGF strongly believes that they can achieve that with a good education and a strong health. This Program was designed to collect or procure used and new items (school materials, school uniforms and medical supplies) and redistribute them to the less fortunate. We can’t do it alone, so we need you to support us today, NOW not tomorrow.
Saving a Future
The gap between rural and urban illiteracy rates is widening, to the extent that in several countries, illiteracy in rural populations is two to three times higher than in the urban centers. Education in general and in the rural areas in particular is a crucial factor for a sustainable development.
For decades, governments have recognized that rural people are severely disadvantaged when it comes to education. Yet, in too many countries like Togo the necessary policies, resources and community support to improve the situation are not yet in place. Over half of the world’s population is rural and most of these people earn small incomes from agriculture; many need their children’s assistance in sustaining their households.
Nearly a billion people – two-thirds of them women – are unschooled, illiterate and unable to access the information that could transform their lives. Around 130 million school-age children do not attend school; most of these children are in rural families. Thus, hundreds of millions of rural people are unable to access one of their fundamental human rights – the right to education.
We believe that all Togolese everywhere desire the same (or very similar) things: excellent health, wisdom, abundant prosperity and, above all, happiness and freedom; things that are more reachable with a good education.
Spending time and money on education is an investment that will promote and accelerate the economic, social, cultural and political development of a country. Education is not only a human right; it is also a social necessity. While the primary education have benefited since the declaration of the right to free education, the tasks remaining are formidable and demand renewed, stronger and persevering efforts. The World Togolese Foundation is engaged in participating in the Education of boys and girls through school precincts and men and women through cooperatives, farmer field schools and broader extension programs.
At World Togolese Foundation, we believe that education is the great equalizer in the world, and books and schools materials are at the foundation of a strong educational system. For many children in Togo, the gift of books and / or school materials truly are a gift of hope.
Access to education is one of the only opportunities young people have to end the cycle of poverty and attain a better quality of life than previous generations. World Togolese Foundation through its NOW Program is working to help children who otherwise would not attend school by supplying educational materials, books and uniforms to reduce or eliminate education costs while working with its micro-finance partners to enable parents to provide continuing support for their children.
Wars, economic crises, poverty, malnutrition, and illiteracy plague many areas of Africa. According to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), 40 percent of school-age children in Africa do not attend school. Forty-six million African children have never set foot in a classroom including Togo.
Most Togolese children who attend school have never owned a book of their own. In many classrooms, 10-20 students share one textbook. Many people in the United States take these educational necessities for granted, but children in Togo cherish books and will benefit from any school materials given to them. So, we procure or Collect books and school materials for those in need.
One of the most unique aspects of WTGF is its willingness to accept gifts in kind. This means we eagerly take donations of medical supplies, even clothing and other items. There is an increasing need of medical supplies in most rural areas in Togo. A simple thing like a clean bandage is hard to come by. We can do something about it with your help.
You can help by organizing your own Collect & Distritue in your community, your Church or at your work place today. Contact us for more information.
