#GivingTuesday and the 2018 middle/high school conference

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

During this Thanksgiving season, Pathways Togo is thankful for supporters like you who make our mission of educating women and empowering the world possible. Take a look and see what we've been up to lately!

Middle and high school scholars, mentors, staff, trainers, and guest speakers at the 2018 ”Proud to Be” Conference

PROUD TO BE

The theme of this year's Pathways Togo conference was "Fiere d'être" (Proud to Be). Middle school and high school scholars and their accompanying mentors participated in the annual conference in Pagala, centrally located in Togo.

Guest speakers spoke to our scholars and mentors about a range of topics including sexual health, human rights, and entrepreneurship. They also discussed the dangerous consequences of skin bleaching versus the benefits of natural beauty techniques. Sessions on gender, community development, and academic success were also held. Pathways Togo scholars also participated in a fun activity to showcase their diverse ethnicities through clothing, food, drink, and of course, a demonstration of different dances.

The end of the conference ushered in the start of a new school year with a boost of confidence and enthusiasm. Fourteen scholars have begun their final year of high school, meaning this was their last summer conference. We wish them all the best!

We had a great conference, and we can't wait for next year! Check out our photos below to see the great time had by all!

-Peace Corps Volunteer Griff Swidler

Clockwise from top left: Scholar Daradjatou (Lami) smiles under the conference welcome sign; Community clean-up at the conference in the village of Gassi-Gassi; scholar Sylvie represents her team in the debate; Guest speaker Ms. Alognon demonstrates natural beauty techniques

Celebrate girls education with a contribution to Pathways Togo on November 27th!

A generous donor will match all donations from new donors between now and the end of 2018 up to a total of $5,000. Follow us on Facebook to see updates on our progress towards the match, spread the word, and help us meet our goal!

University Scholar Updates

In October, the Pathways Togo team met with uninversity scholars in Lomé and Kara. There were 19 scholars from the two best and biggest public universities of Togo: University of Lomé and University of Kara.

Scholars were congratulated for their efforts in the last academic year. They also received scholarships and advice to start the new year which began the first week of November.

Out of the 19 scholars present, 7 new university scholars joined the group and learned from others about the registration process. Our scholars are studying various fields such as law, English, political science, ecology, economics, management, and mathematics.

The Pathways Togo scholarship builds scholar capacity from year to year and provides the necessary support for scholars to excel in their studies. In two years, many of them will hold an advanced diploma to create and obtain jobs while contributing to the development of Togo.

Equality of opportunity in education is a source of development. We cannot achieve these goals without individual donors, the board of Directors, the staff and our partners. We wish all our scholars success in the new school year. Go girls!

University Students in Kara with Jonas, Abla and Kafui,
the New Program Administrator for CEG/ Lycée (second from right).

Welcome to Kafui AZIANTI (pictured above),
the newest addition to the Pathways Togo team!

Kafui joins the staff as the new Program Administrator
for middle/high school scholars!

Congratulations to Our New Program Director!

After five years of hard work alongside the young scholars, Mr. Jonas Nouhoum Akondo has become the First Program Director of Pathways Togo! He first joined Pathways Togo in 2013 as Program Administrator. Since then, he has been able to maintain and improve the quality of the scholarship program with the support of the US-based Board of Directors and partners in Togo.

Last summer, he was selected for a prestigious youth leadership program initiated by former U.S. President Barack Obama. The Mandela Washington Fellowship brings brilliant civic leaders in three different fields including business and entrepreneurship, civic leadership, and public management. Nouhoum was selected as one of the 700 brightest young leaders of sub-Saharan Africa, out of a pool of 35,000 applicants.

Placed in the prestigious Wagner College in New York City, he took 6 weeks of civic leadership courses focused on nonprofit management skills. The knowledge gained will enable him to better help young girls and boys to be agents of positive change in their community.

Now, as Program Director, Jonas plans to mobilize more resources to effectively address the challenges girls face in pursuing an education while involving more parents, communities, women, and actors in education in Togo.

Jonas Nouhoum Akondo representing Pathways Togo at Wagner College in New York City

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