Togo Country Information

Fact and Figures

Location - Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana

Capital - Lomé

Population - 6.1 million

People - African (37 tribes; largest are Ewe, Mina & Kabre) 99%, European & Syrian-Lebanese 1%

Language - French, Ewe, Mina, Kabye, Dagomba

Religion - Christian 29%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 51%

Literacy rate - 60.9%

Life expectancy - 59.9 years

% Living below $1/day - unknown

Sources The CIA World Fact Book 2008, Compassion International, www.news.bbc.co.uk

Togo

Togo was granted independence from France in 1960, but years of unrest followed, ending in dictatorial rule that lasted almost four decades. The political instability has left Togo economically crippled. Children are especially affected, with extremely high child mortality rates. Those who do survive their first years face many obstacles. Disease, malnutrition and no access to medical care are having devastating effects.

More than 60,000 children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS and those living with the disease are marginalised.

Less than five per cent of children who attend primary school continue on to secondary school, with financial problems and the extreme distances between schools largely to blame. Due to the extreme poverty, many children are sold as domestic, factory and agricultural labourers, often not earning any wage. Those who run away end up on the streets, leading to prostitution, theft and drug addiction.

Compassion’s work in Togo began in 2008, with 16 local churches reaching out to more than 2,594 children through partnership with Compassion, providing them with the opportunity to rise above their circumstances and become all God has created them to be.

Compassion Togo does not have any Child Survival Programmes yet.

Over 2,594 children are currently being assisted in more than 16 Child Sponsorship Programmes in Togo.

Compassion Togo does not have any Leadership Development Programme students yet.