Work, Work, and More WORK

So I have to apologize for the delay in posting updates but you know what they say, no news is good news I guess. Things are going well here in Kpalimé. I’ve been here for about 2 months and am feeling more and more comfortable with my new community.

I’ve gotten a few questions recently about what I am doing work wise here. My first month was dedicated to decorating my house, getting a handle on my resources here in the community, meeting people, etc., etc. Now it’s time to get to work. The gift and curse about Peace Corps Togo is that we are allowed full reign over the projects we do and the people we work with. This is great for volunteers with an entrepreneurial spirit and an idea for how they can create lasting, sustainable change. However, for those volunteers that are looking for some guidance and things to fall into their lap, this can be quite a challenging work assignment. Luckily, I came here with a purpose, I mean I didn’t quit my job and leave beautiful Chicago for no reason! So I decided to dedicate this posting to the work I am doing here in Kpalimé.

Introducing aklala batik:

One of my projects while working here in Togo is to support the artisan community. In 2008 a volunteer discovered Chantal, a very talented artisan with a goal of using her craft to launch a social enterprise. Chantal does traditional West African batik work in Kpalimé and the volunteer prior to me helped her build a fashion line and connected her with Nest, a US based artisan community that provides microloans to women around the world to help grow their business. The thing that I love about Chantal most is that she is looking to bring up her community with her. Here in Togo, seamstresses are required to complete a certification process before becoming certified seamstresses. They mentor under a head seamstress as an apprentice for 2-3 years before completing the program and the cost for the program is substantial. Chantal’s goal is to open a workshop and employ orphans from the Kpalimé community that would otherwise not be able to afford the entry fees.

Since partnering with Peace Corps and Nest, Chantal has had huge success in building her business and is ready to take things to the next level. That’s where I come in. Chantal is in need of basic financial reporting, inventory control, quality control as well as basic computer literacy. She also needs support to launch her social enterprise. My goal is to have her workshop up and running before I finish my two years of service.

To learn more about Chantal and Nest visit the following websites:

www.aklala.com

www.buildanest.com


Renewable Energy meets Microfinance:

Another project that I will be working on during my time here is with SunPower Afrique, a US based NGO specializing in renewable energy sources. SunPower Afrique was founded by a Kira, a Kiva Fellow who completed her service in Togo and after seeing the inefficiencies of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in Togo (and throughout Africa in general) due to lack of reliable energy sources she founded SunPower Afrique. Kira and I met at the 2010 University of Chicago Microfinance Conference when I was still living in Chicago and it just so happened that I would be moving to Togo and had the type of background she was looking for to expand the mission of SunPower Afrique.

SunPower Afrique’s mission is two fold; empowering MFIs with reliable energy sources and empowering the clients of MFIs with reliable energy sources. Almost 70% of Togolese live without electricity and having lived without electricity for a portion of my time here, I can attest that productivity of businesses and people is greatly decreased when the work day ends when the sun goes down.

I will be working with SunPower Afrique on the ground with various initiatives including identifying and educating individual entrepreneurs and businesses (a great example would be Chantal at aklala batik) about renewable energy, contract writing, financial analysis, and consulting.


I’m going to need some coffee to get this all done….

Lastly, I have been partnered with Café Kuma, a coffee cooperative located in the mountains of Kpalimé that grows, harvests, roasts, grinds, and packages quality coffee that is distributed in many areas throughout the country. This project is what I consider a “legacy” Peace Corps relationship and they have been partnered with a Peace Corps volunteer since 2003. My first question when I arrived was “after 7 years why is this organization not able to sustain themselves without the support of a Peace Corps volunteer?” I quickly found out that there were a number of organizational issues, including issues with their distribution process, inefficiencies within their supply chain, and managerial conflicts. My director has charged me with the task of getting the organization both self sufficient and sustainable as I will probably be the last volunteer that will work with the organization.

Secondary Projects:

In addition to my 3 main projects I am also planning in conjuntion with volunteers within my region the first annual Women’s Health and Economic Forum. The goal of the event is to celebrate and empower women through holistic educational seminars highlighting the importance of physical and mental health, economic independence, and women’s rights. More to come on this.

I will also be a national coordinator for the 2nd Annual Peace Corps Artisan Trade Show. Many volunteers work with artisans throughout the country and last year they were all brought to the nation’s capital for a 2 day trade show. Last year’s event was a huge success for the artisans and we are looking to make the event even bigger this year. I’ve pitched the idea of having the artisans go through a “mini-MBA” program focusing on marketing, financing, business development, exporting, social entrepreneurship, etc. in conjunction with the trade show this year and this educational curriculum will be included for all participants.

That’s all for now. I plan on providing updates on successes and challenges of my work over the next 2 years.