I
specifically say the Canadian team because there is another important team, our
overseas volunteers. Here in Togo, it has been formed by Laurent Dekalikan; our
guardian angel and it is he who formed the "Alliance Enfance et
Developpement" for Togo. Their other activities are phenomenal, but for us
they form a safety net, a support system and provide physical and emotional
help, translations, anything at all and always willingly with a smile.
Our days begin on the road at 7 or 7:30,
theirs at 4:30 or 5 o'clock. Each evening, an immense truck is loaded with bed
kits and mattresses and driven to the distribution site, unloaded and back to
Lome to reload for the next day. Packing the truck involves scampering around
on re-bars in bare feet. None of us even know their names but what would we do
without them.
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The early team of local volunteers arrive
at about 6:30 begin gathering the kids, dressing them in the SCAW t shirts and
pants or skirts, sing, laugh and dance with them to keep them amused and happy
until the "white team" arrives. We can be quite frightening because
most often the kids have never seen a white person...are we ghosts or just very
sick people? Worries are dispelled by our marvellous Togolese team.
Lifting heavy bags, packing the van with
food and drink, cordoning off the area for photography, finding teachers we can
give supplies to, translating again, here is where our Three Musketeers come
into their own. All nephews of Laurent and using their holidays to be with us,
leaving their business to be tended by others; giving, giving and giving more.
I
feel humbled by their generosity and honoured to be accepted by them as a friend.
This blog shows but a few of them and beautiful people they are.
Francis
Thomas for Team Togo 2016
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