An interview with Messan
Messan (left), Program Unit Manager for Plan Togo, and Francesca, highschool intern at Plan USA
Francesca, a Plan USA intern, recently posed a few questions to Messan Azanlekor, Plan Togo's visiting Program Unit Manager.
What hardships did you face in the United States, if any?
I did not face any hardships in the United States. I was greeted warmly and respected deeply. My colleagues were welcoming and open-minded. I felt as though I was able to ask questions when there was a language barrier and they did the same.
Did you enjoy your stay in the United States?
Yes.
What is different about the United States compared to Togo?
Togo is very different from the United States. Togo is a growing country which has not yet developed. Currently, Togo is in the process of implementing programs with a focus on human rights. The government does not weigh life as highly as it does in the United States; I hope it will someday.
What is life like for youth in Togo?
In the communities where we work in Togo, household incomes are often below poverty level and children spend a great deal of their time working at home and in the fields. Extracurricular activities are few and far between. However, some children do attend school. School begins at age five in Primary School. You then continue to Junior Secondary School, and finally, you continue to Senior Secondary School where you graduate at age 17.
What sports are popular for youth in Togo?
The most popular sport in Togo is football (soccer). Whenever people have free time in Togo, they play football. The schools have teams that meet after school and during school breaks. Togo also participates in the World Cup; we made it to round one of the playoffs this past year.
Do families go on vacation often in Togo?
Although 30 days of vacation are given for one year of work in Togo, not many families can afford to go. However, because 40 percent of people who live in Lomè, the capital city, are not originally from Togo, they travel often to see their families for traditions, special events, weddings, and deaths. Togo is a coastal country, and on Saturday and Sunday, many people, usually youth, go down to the local beach for their own vacation.
Are there any youth groups in Togo?
There are three main youth groups: Young Great Reporters, a group of child journalists; Multimedia Center, a place where youth can learn about computers and the internet; and Radio Techniques Training Center for Children in Togo (CEFRET), which trains children on radio broadcasting and interviewing techniques.
What does the youth do for fun in Togo?
In Togo, many children like to go on computers and the internet. They also enjoy attending the clubs I mentioned. Many teenagers are also interested in the fight for the advocacy of rights.
What types of food are eaten in Togo?
In Togo, food consists mainly of fruits and vegetables. However, we do eat meat and fish, such as, fish and cows. Some popular dishes in Togo are Millet, ground nuts, maize, which is grounded up into a paste, and Fufu, a yam dish.
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What hardships did you face in the United States, if any?
I did not face any hardships in the United States. I was greeted warmly and respected deeply. My colleagues were welcoming and open-minded. I felt as though I was able to ask questions when there was a language barrier and they did the same.
Did you enjoy your stay in the United States?
Yes.
What is different about the United States compared to Togo?
Togo is very different from the United States. Togo is a growing country which has not yet developed. Currently, Togo is in the process of implementing programs with a focus on human rights. The government does not weigh life as highly as it does in the United States; I hope it will someday.
What is life like for youth in Togo?
In the communities where we work in Togo, household incomes are often below poverty level and children spend a great deal of their time working at home and in the fields. Extracurricular activities are few and far between. However, some children do attend school. School begins at age five in Primary School. You then continue to Junior Secondary School, and finally, you continue to Senior Secondary School where you graduate at age 17.
What sports are popular for youth in Togo?
The most popular sport in Togo is football (soccer). Whenever people have free time in Togo, they play football. The schools have teams that meet after school and during school breaks. Togo also participates in the World Cup; we made it to round one of the playoffs this past year.
Do families go on vacation often in Togo?
Although 30 days of vacation are given for one year of work in Togo, not many families can afford to go. However, because 40 percent of people who live in Lomè, the capital city, are not originally from Togo, they travel often to see their families for traditions, special events, weddings, and deaths. Togo is a coastal country, and on Saturday and Sunday, many people, usually youth, go down to the local beach for their own vacation.
Are there any youth groups in Togo?
There are three main youth groups: Young Great Reporters, a group of child journalists; Multimedia Center, a place where youth can learn about computers and the internet; and Radio Techniques Training Center for Children in Togo (CEFRET), which trains children on radio broadcasting and interviewing techniques.
What does the youth do for fun in Togo?
In Togo, many children like to go on computers and the internet. They also enjoy attending the clubs I mentioned. Many teenagers are also interested in the fight for the advocacy of rights.
What types of food are eaten in Togo?
In Togo, food consists mainly of fruits and vegetables. However, we do eat meat and fish, such as, fish and cows. Some popular dishes in Togo are Millet, ground nuts, maize, which is grounded up into a paste, and Fufu, a yam dish.
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