Let's Keep Educating West Africa's Next Generation
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In April 2019, a group of friends and Thierry A. Ekon travelled together to the West African countries of Togo, Ghana, and Benin in order to connect with and pay homage to the West African ancestors forcibly transported to the New World centuries ago. The trip left us feeling deep gratitude for and inspiration from the generous and expansive spirit of the people we met during our journey. Visiting The Welcoming Center for Vulnerable Children and Orphans in Tabligbo, Togo, a village situated two hours from Lome, the country's capital, was a life changing experience. The Center opened almost 6 years ago to address an unmet need to care for a high number of AIDS-orphaned children and other vulnerable children (OVC) in Togo. It currently provides nutrition, social support, psychological guidance, case management, and primary-level education to 24 children between the ages of 6 and 13.
Together we wanted to give back to this inspiring community and at the same time memorialize the work of Christelle Ekon (the tour organizer's youngest sister) whom we met during our trip before she unexpectedly transitioned in late 2019. As a distinguished professional and indefatigable humanitarian, Christelle’ s expertise, professionalism and efficiency were called on ceaselessly, locally and globally. Just before her passing, she received a promotion and became one of the youngest regional manager in a well-known, international organization with more than 300, 000 workers. But it was her quiet dedication and passion, her boundless generosity and her dove-like humility that drew people to her circle. Christelle understood that her good fortune and prominence remain irrelevant and immaterial unless utilized on the altar of selfless service.
In the wise words of her favorite author, the philosopher, Kahlil Gibran: "… all urge is blind save where there is knowledge, and all knowledge is vain save where there is work, and all work is empty save when there is love." (The Prophet)
Christelle fiercely advocated for the destitute and underprivileged. She regularly visited and provided much needed resources to many poorly-funded orphanages in the region. From financially covering children’s school fees to providing individual mentoring, Christelle rose to the occasion when she saw a need
Today, countless individuals brothers and sisters walking the path of illumination with her, friends, family to whom she unreservedly gave herself remain heart-broken, yet irrevocably grateful to her brief but remarkably loving and impactful life.
Thierry himself is passionate about empowering those who may not have a voice. For the last 30 years, whether working domestically or internationally for a community-based organization (CBO), city or state government, his work has focused on communities often disenfranchised by intersectional challenges (homelessness, mental health, HIV treatment and prevention, sexual and reproductive health). He also took immense pleasure in teaching urban health and social exclusion to socioeconomically disadvantaged youth and adults at a community in New York City.
We are continuing our fundraising efforts (see below) to provide support to this wonderful organization that she and members of her family are connected to and to memorialize her selfless, loving, extraordinary and inspiring life.
We are raising money to help the orphanage in the following ways:
Purchase a multi-seat motorcycle (vehicle, see picture below) to help the children go to and from school: $2,800
Costs for a driver, gas, maintenance for the vehicle for one year: $1,000
Medical supplies to help the orphanage manage properly during the COVID pandemic: $ $850
When asked about their second biggest dream next to educational achievement, we were jolted by their simple answer: WATER.
Remaining funds from this campaign will be utilized for a larger funding effort to bring them that simple resource that so many of us take for granted.
Apenyo Christelle Ekon
12/30/1980 - 10/26/2019
"The trees in your orchard give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish."
-- K. Gibran, The Prophet
More about the Welcoming Center for Vulnerable Children and Orphans
The Center is in Tabligbo, Togo, a village situated approximately two hours from Lome, the country's capital city. The Center opened 5 years ago to address an unmet need to care for a high number of AIDS-orphaned children in Togo and currently offers nutrition, social support, psychological guidance, case management, and primary-level education to 24 children between the ages of 6 and 13.
The impact of the Center on these young people's lives is very apparent to anyone lucky enough to visit. The children are not hungry, they receive social support, academic guidance, the opportunity to process their difficult past, healthy socialization with peers and daily recreational opportunities. Perhaps what struck us most is that despite their earlier hardships, these kids have embraced their education with both joy and discipline - and they are excelling at their studies.
More about orphans in Togo
Togo is a developing country in West Africa with severe social problems that include generalized poverty, poor health infrastructure, low literacy rates and an HIV epidemic which as of 2012 has orphaned 88,000 children. UNICEF reported that 94% of those AIDS orphans did not receive any medical, educational or psycho-social support. To help address these needs, the Welcoming Center for Vulnerable Children opened 5 years ago through a the one time generosity of a French benefactor and continues to operate under the stewardship of a director, a teacher, a nurse, a nutritionist/cook, security guards, as well as the oversight of several prominent Togolese board members.
Together we wanted to give back to this inspiring community and at the same time memorialize the work of Christelle Ekon (the tour organizer's youngest sister) whom we met during our trip before she unexpectedly transitioned in late 2019. As a distinguished professional and indefatigable humanitarian, Christelle’ s expertise, professionalism and efficiency were called on ceaselessly, locally and globally. Just before her passing, she received a promotion and became one of the youngest regional manager in a well-known, international organization with more than 300, 000 workers. But it was her quiet dedication and passion, her boundless generosity and her dove-like humility that drew people to her circle. Christelle understood that her good fortune and prominence remain irrelevant and immaterial unless utilized on the altar of selfless service.
In the wise words of her favorite author, the philosopher, Kahlil Gibran: "… all urge is blind save where there is knowledge, and all knowledge is vain save where there is work, and all work is empty save when there is love." (The Prophet)
Christelle fiercely advocated for the destitute and underprivileged. She regularly visited and provided much needed resources to many poorly-funded orphanages in the region. From financially covering children’s school fees to providing individual mentoring, Christelle rose to the occasion when she saw a need
Today, countless individuals brothers and sisters walking the path of illumination with her, friends, family to whom she unreservedly gave herself remain heart-broken, yet irrevocably grateful to her brief but remarkably loving and impactful life.
Thierry himself is passionate about empowering those who may not have a voice. For the last 30 years, whether working domestically or internationally for a community-based organization (CBO), city or state government, his work has focused on communities often disenfranchised by intersectional challenges (homelessness, mental health, HIV treatment and prevention, sexual and reproductive health). He also took immense pleasure in teaching urban health and social exclusion to socioeconomically disadvantaged youth and adults at a community in New York City.
We are continuing our fundraising efforts (see below) to provide support to this wonderful organization that she and members of her family are connected to and to memorialize her selfless, loving, extraordinary and inspiring life.
We are raising money to help the orphanage in the following ways:
Purchase a multi-seat motorcycle (vehicle, see picture below) to help the children go to and from school: $2,800
Costs for a driver, gas, maintenance for the vehicle for one year: $1,000
Medical supplies to help the orphanage manage properly during the COVID pandemic: $ $850
When asked about their second biggest dream next to educational achievement, we were jolted by their simple answer: WATER.
Remaining funds from this campaign will be utilized for a larger funding effort to bring them that simple resource that so many of us take for granted.
Apenyo Christelle Ekon12/30/1980 - 10/26/2019
"The trees in your orchard give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish."
-- K. Gibran, The Prophet
More about the Welcoming Center for Vulnerable Children and Orphans
The Center is in Tabligbo, Togo, a village situated approximately two hours from Lome, the country's capital city. The Center opened 5 years ago to address an unmet need to care for a high number of AIDS-orphaned children in Togo and currently offers nutrition, social support, psychological guidance, case management, and primary-level education to 24 children between the ages of 6 and 13.
The impact of the Center on these young people's lives is very apparent to anyone lucky enough to visit. The children are not hungry, they receive social support, academic guidance, the opportunity to process their difficult past, healthy socialization with peers and daily recreational opportunities. Perhaps what struck us most is that despite their earlier hardships, these kids have embraced their education with both joy and discipline - and they are excelling at their studies.
More about orphans in Togo
Togo is a developing country in West Africa with severe social problems that include generalized poverty, poor health infrastructure, low literacy rates and an HIV epidemic which as of 2012 has orphaned 88,000 children. UNICEF reported that 94% of those AIDS orphans did not receive any medical, educational or psycho-social support. To help address these needs, the Welcoming Center for Vulnerable Children opened 5 years ago through a the one time generosity of a French benefactor and continues to operate under the stewardship of a director, a teacher, a nurse, a nutritionist/cook, security guards, as well as the oversight of several prominent Togolese board members.
Organizer
African Ancestors Travelers First Edition
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY