Dear Mr. Brien, dear team of Arbeit und Dritte Welt e. V.,
We would like to thank you very much. “We”, that is all of us who have been involved in the Togo project: Our partners from ADICH in Togo, LHL in Germany and me, Chantal Kloecker, as coordinator of the Togo project.
I was in Atakpamé/Togo for 2 weeks in February and was really pleased when the many tools you sent us arrived in the capital Lomé. Even though the customs officers in Togo are very greedy for “grease” money, everything went well!
The box was opened at customs because the officials wanted to be sure that all the tools had already been used. Then the box was put in a cab and transported from Lomé to Atakapmé (160 km).
Finally, the box was delivered to Alexis Yawou, chairman of Adich.
The three of us then unpacked all the tools, admired them and packed them up again.
Grégoire, the metalworker, was particularly impressed and actually speechless: he would never have dreamed of so many great tools!
He asked me to express his gratitude.
Faustin and Grégoire helped me check that everything was in order.
Everything was carefully packed up again. The next day I visited Grégoire in his workshop: it is located on the edge of the road from Lomé to Burkina Faso, at the southern entrance to Atakpamé.
Grégoire is a “soudeur” (= solderer), he and his apprentices make ironware that is sturdy and practical. (with the crosses: these are molds used to make building components for houses from clay. Instead of windows, openings are made in the walls to allow pleasant ventilation). Grégoire also makes charcoal ovens, grates and charcoal spoons.
Grégoire has few tools at his disposal:
Nevertheless, Grégoire and his apprentices can achieve amazing results! For example, Grégoire can carefully and precisely reproduce a pyrolytic stove from Mr. Fetzner within 4 days:
This is one reason why we think it’s worth helping people like this!
Not far from Grégoire’s workshop is the “Forge” (forge). Young blacksmiths work there who are skilled but receive little money for their services.
No comment!… Who would work under these conditions here in Germany? I forgot to mention that the outside temperature was 35° (it’s the dry season in Togo in February!). I forgot to mention (and photograph!) that I brought new tools with me: a cordless drill, a cordless grinder… All the tools, whether used or new, will make Grégoire’s and the metalworker’s work easier and open up new prospects for them. Our project is very much focused on vocational training for young people.
By the end of March 2015, 10 young men will be initiated into the metalworking trade during a seminar in Atakpamé. Adich is currently recruiting 10 young men from 10 villages who combine skill and moral principles. Grégoire will train them, they will make pyrolysis stoves and sell them as part of our Elagnon project.
In July, we will travel to Atakpamé/Togo with 5 young students and Mr. Fetzner (pyrolysis stove specialist) to carry out our project there.
So, it goes on!…
Chantal Kloecker
Coordinator of the Togo project at www.L-H-l.org
