I have been holding my breath for days now. Togo had it’s second (ever) election March 4, 2010. The country has been ruled by the same family for the last 43 years. First the father, and now the son.
Faure Gnassingbe has been declared the winner. http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=88337 He is the son on the dictator who ruled Togo until his death five years ago. Union of Forces for Change — the opposition — has declared an unfair election. Their candidate, Jean-Pierre Fabre, has been calling for protests
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This requires that I still hold my breath! I can only hope that the protests can go on peacefully, and that the Army will not use lethal force against the protesters.
From what I have seen and heard, Faure Gnassingbe is what I would call a negligent Dictator. He neglects the needs of his country and people. He neglects the infrastructure that would make life there better.
No matter who ends up being declared the winner, our work will continue. The people want change for the better. They want a better life for their children. I believe that change will come through education. Once a population has the ability to think critically, and to articulate these thoughts, it becomes much harder to “dictate” to them. Therefore, our mission continues — village by village.
One more piece of information — we have raised to date $29, 900!! We need to raise $1,000 more to be 100% funded for Phase I of the school building project. Thank you to all who have helped us get this far. If you would like to help, now is definately the time to do it.
Cheers.
Tags: children, dictator, education better life, election, Faure Gnassingbe, infrastructure, negligent, Togo
Education is better than silver and gold.
no education no world.
Eli and Ruben hit the “nail on the head”. That being said, people like you Natalie, with your vision and passion are what is going to make progress for the people happen, a reality. So we must keep going towards a better future, one well and one school room at a time if necessary.
love, Shar
Dear Natalie,
I would suggest that you release your breath in slow motion (smiles). You already know my opinion about what is happening in Togo; whether it be a generational curse or apathy from the general public, everything in this life has a beginning and an end. I don’t foresee a light at the end of the tunnel yet because the people in power are unwilling to give it away for all the wrong reasons and the ones suffering from this situation are unable to snatch it by force. When the time is right, GOD WILL MAKE A WAY WHEN THERE SEEMS TO BE NO WAY. In the meantime, I will continue to support people like you and the causes that ensure a better tomorrow for our children.
Love always,
Eli
LeapingStone is committed to providing quality primary education in Togo. We are hopeful that the next generation will become the kind of leaders that will put the wellbeing of their people first.
I can’t agree more with you that the best tool we have at hand is education. But not any kind of education – a quality education. An education that force critical thinking and the proud to be a citizen of a country which put its citizen first. An education which builds the character of the next generation to hold who ever has power accountable. We have a long way to go and agree we need some incremental change, village by village, bite by bite – and I am sure if everyone contributes we can anticipate a deep change and a brigther future for the next generation.
Please keep up your hard work and continue to be at our side!