Welcome to Alafia's Blog: Transparency and Updates for Our Wonderful Supporters

Welcome to Alafia's Blog! We are thrilled to share our journey with you, our valued supporters. Our mission arose from the experiences of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers who served in Togo. We observed the transformative power of community empowerment firsthand, and we are dedicated to continuing this work in the Kara, Centrale, and Plateaux regions of Togo. We also made friendships that will last a lifestime and want to see thier families thrive.

Through this blog, we aim to provide transparency about our initiatives, share project updates, and engage with you as we work together to strengthen communities through education, health, and sustainable programs.

Who We Are

The name "Alafia" means peace, well-being, and good health in several Gur languages spoken in Togo, including Kabiye, Kotokoli, Ewe, Mina, and Lamba. This name reflects the cultural significance of peace and well-being present in various Togolese languages.

Our founders are passionate about education and community development. By providing the right tools and resources, we believe we can help communities thrive. For example, over the past year, we have been able to screen 645 community members for vision impairments.

Vision

At Alafia, we envision a future where every individual has access to quality education, healthcare, and sustainable resources. Our goal is to go beyond mere resource distribution; we aim to empower people through capacity-building initiatives such as training and education.

We understand that true change must come from within communities. By equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge they need, we foster a sense of ownership and pride in their development. This approach benefits individuals and strengthens the entire community.

Projects

We plan to continue to build the partnership that we have with Global Vision 2020 to host more glasses distributions in the future. We are also exctied about our upcoming glasses distribution we have planned in collaboration with Sustainbale Classrooms. Sustainable Classrooms is a nonprofit working in Togo that uses recycled plastic bricks to build safe and sustainable classrooms in underserved rural communities. They also strive to tackle plastic pollution while improving access to quality education for children who might otherwise go without.

We will continue to support the Babade Learning Center, a community space in the Central region of Togo that provides students and community members with access to books, computers, and educational games. Originally established as a Peace Corps Small Grant project, the learning center has been fully renovated and is now open to the community. We plan on making sure that the center remains open, functioning and has all the resources it needs allow students and community members a space to improve literacy, develop critical thinking skills, and explore digital learning.

We are happy to announce that SHE provided every child in one of our host communities primary schools with school uniforms, laundry soap, notebooks and pens. They will continue to support this primary school every fall moving forward making sure every student has a uniform that fits them.

One of the ongoing challenges of development work in Togo is coordinating across the many different efforts already underway. Multiple NGOs, local organizations, and community groups are working to improve education, health, and infrastructure, but without communication and alignment, resources can be spread too thin. Alafia’s approach is to support and strengthen these existing efforts rather than starting from scratch. By bringing people and organizations together, fostering collaboration, and directing funding to where it is most needed.

The Importance of Your Support

Your support is crucial to our mission. Every contribution helps us provide essential services and resources to communities in Togo. Your generosity makes a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and families.

We are committed to transparency in our operations and will keep you updated on our progress and the impact of your contributions. Together, we can create a brighter future for the communities we serve.

Holiday Fundraiser

We are excited to announce our holiday fundraiser, which will run from November 3rd through January 31st. During this period we aim to raise as much money as possible to support all of Alafia’s programs; from the Babade Learning Center to eye care initiatives. Your donation will go to purchasing eye screening kits and prescription glasses, as well as books and learning materials for the Babade Learning Center.

Community members waiting to get their vision screened at one of our first glasses distributions

Together Towards a Brighter Future

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Alafia and our mission. We are grateful for your support and belief in our vision. Together, we can empower communities in Togo to achieve peace, well-being, and good health. Alafia.