Togo
In 2004 the vzw Terradialoog (called TC-Dialogue at that time) started laying out school gardens with associated infrastructure, in cooperation with the local ngo RJR, “Réveil de la Jeunesse Rurale”; in a first phase in 5 villages (the request was for 20). This happened with the participation of the local village community. Part of it was a nursery garden (pépinière) to provide necessary plants for reforestation. Also a soil improvement additive (Terracottem) was used to supply the necessary ingredients for a good vegetable production with minimal amounts of water, increasing the chances of survival of the planted trees.
In December an evaluation report from RJR rang the alarm bell. It pointed out that the project suffered from shortage of water during the dry season. It mentioned also shortages in the drinking water supply for the local population. During the mission of Terradialoog in 2008 the situation was not such dramatic.In order to tackle this severe problem, a request for financing was submitted to the Fonds Elisabeth en Amélie of the Koning Boudewijn foundation.
An allowance of 24.500 € was given to Terradialoog in order to work out a solution for 2 villages where the situation is most critical.
Terradialoog called upon “Ingenieurs zonder Grenzen” (IzG) to perform a mission on the spot. Ir. Dino Galbusera, member from both IzG and T@D, was prepared to fulfil the mission as a volunteer; he had already been there in 2004. The development of a village community depends upon the availability of water; for their own food supply and for being able to sell their products. During this mission special attention was given to the water supply for vegetables and farming products in the village. Professor W. Van Cotthem (founder and ex chairman of TC-Dialogue) provided us with a whole series of seeds that could be raised immediately. The professor devotes his time world-wide to the problem of food supply in areas having water shortages and its impact upon the local population.
Also the company Ecorem (Aartselaar) provided an instrument to check the water quality on the spot. It turned to be a difficult and busy mission, not only because of the climate (day and night more than 30° and very humid) but also because there were urgent changes required in the project follow-up by RJR. RJR should improve the coaching of the project by appointing a local project leader. For this the necessary financial resources shall be budgeted. The village committees must act more creatively and vigorously and tackle the problems more as a team. In order to enlarge their local network, contacts were laid with many organisations in Kara; they should work together with them in order to achieve the desired goal.With this renewed and modified message we are convinced that the water problems can be solved such that the living conditions in the villages can be improved. Many thanks to all those who helped before, during and after the mission. Many thanks also to all who keep believing in development aid and who contribute financially.