OVERVIEW
Vision For Togo is a Canadian organization supporting the work of the Lome Center for the Blind by coordinating student sponsorships, providing donations, and supporting small business opportunities.
The Lome Center for the Blind has a mission to provide life-changing training to empower the visually impaired to lead a productive and dignified life. As a Christian institution, it provides an amazing opportunity to share the Good News of Christ with every student.
LIFE IN TOGO
Togo is one of the poorest countries in Africa. Most of the population lives below the poverty line, struggling on just a few dollars per day. The majority of people do not have electricity, and basic health care and medicine is often out of reach. In rural areas, access to education can be limited. Life expectancy in Togo is ranked with the lowest in the world at just 60 years.
With low education, limited opportunities, wide spread poverty and poor health, daily life is challenging in Togo.
LIFE FOR THE BLIND
Within Togo, the visually impaired are particularity vulnerable. The disabled carry a negative social stigma (considered as cursed), and are viewed as a disgraceful family burden. There is a low cultural expectation that they can develop productive life skills. There are no government schools for the blind to support them, so institutions like the Lome Center for the Blind are critical resource centers to provide basic literacy, life skills and vocational training. Visually impaired children often come from poorer families who do not have the resources or incentive to invest in their training.
Without even basic literacy or life skills, the future of a visually impaired student or adult is very bleak, and can lead to a life of dependence, poverty, and abuse.
SUPPORTING THE CENTER
As a non-profit institution, the Lome Center for the Blind relies on donations. Due to the deteriorating political climate over the last few years, a significant portion of their initial funding has been lost. While there is a some government and community support, the center struggles to find sufficient funding. Vision For Togo assists by arranging donations for educational supplies, operational costs and staff salaries.
Many students come from poor families who struggle to cover the basic costs of bus transportation and school supplies. Vision For Togo helps to coordinate student sponsorships for needy families.
Students who have completed their training look forward to earning their own living. For some, finding suitable work can be challenging, and may plan to start their own business. Vision For Togo helps to promote, coordinate and invest in small business opportunities.