I did too. That’s why I spent time in Kpové, a small village in rural Togo, just 20 minutes East of Notsé, to learn firsthand what life is like for students here. What I discovered was more than I could have imagined—some answers made me rethink the challenges of my own schooling, while others revealed the remarkable resilience of these young learners.
In the rural village of Kpové, I found myself standing in a schoolyard that was both humbling and inspiring. The sound of children's laughter echoed across the dusty ground as I spoke with students about their daily lives, their hopes, and the often unseen challenges they face just to receive an education. It was in these conversations that I began to understand what truly lies beneath the surface of a typical school day in Togo.
I remember one student in particular—Dieu-Donné Socrou, a 17-year-old who, despite his young appearance, has spent more time fighting to stay in school than many of his peers. His story reflects a painful reality shared by many in rural Togo: school is not always a guarantee, and advancement is slow, even if the desire to learn is strong.
When I asked Dieu-Donné about his journey to school, he spoke with quiet determination. "I live very far from the school," he told me, explaining the 5 kilometers he walks each day. This is not unusual in the villages surrounding Notsé, where students routinely travel long distances on foot, often without supplies. Many students mentioned how much they enjoy having mango trees around their school campus, where they can pick fruit for a snack during breaks. But Dieu-Donné faces additional obstacles. His mother, like many parents here, sometimes needs him in the fields instead of in the classroom. "On some days, my family tells me to go with my mom to the field and not to go to school."
The tension between education and family obligation is a recurring theme in many of the interviews we conducted. Students like Dieu-Donné often feel torn between their ambitions and their immediate responsibilities. Education can feel like a distant dream when there are crops to harvest and mouths to feed. Yet, despite these pressures, Dieu-Donné's favorite subject is mathematics, and he dreams of becoming a math teacher—proof that hope can persist, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
The Weight of Distance and Delay
Dieu-Donné’s story is echoed by students like 10-year-old Mowusè Koye, who walks 10 kilometers each day to attend school. While her parents also sometimes require her help in the fields, Mowusè still manages to stay motivated, eager to learn and hoping one day to work in Europe or America. For children like her, the barriers are not just physical but cultural—education is not always seen as a priority, especially for girls, who are often expected to stay home and care for younger siblings or help with chores.
The long journeys to school, the missed days due to family needs, and the frequent illnesses—all of these factors contribute to the staggered progress of many students. It’s not uncommon to find 18-year-olds like Koffi Kougbèagbèdè still in elementary-level grades. When we asked Koffi why he has had to repeat grades, he explained that if his family can’t afford school supplies, he’s forced to stay home.
A Common Dream
Despite these challenges, a striking commonality among the students was their love for certain subjects—particularly mathematics and French. In every classroom we visited, children were quick to express their admiration for their teachers and their eagerness to learn. It was heartening to hear students like Dieu-Donné and Koffi, both facing tremendous obstacles, speak with such passion about their favorite subjects.
But what was even more inspiring was the clarity with which these students envisioned their futures. Many wanted to be teachers themselves, like Dieu-Donné, or doctors, like 10-year-old Love Edou from Mangotigomé, who dreams of helping her community through medicine. Others, like 12-year-old Amivi Sowadan, wanted to work for an NGO, likely inspired by seeing organizations like Sustainable Classrooms to improve the very conditions they live in. We are excited to follow and support Amivi, as well as her peers, on her journey as she aspires to be a change-maker in her own community.
What Can Be Done?
The resilience of these students cannot be understated, but neither can the harsh realities they face. The lack of access to basic school supplies, the constant pull between education and labor, and the long distances they must travel all contribute to a system where many fall behind.
The story of these students is a call to action. We must do more to support not only their education but also the societal shifts needed to prioritize schooling over subsistence farming. It’s not just about building classrooms, but about changing mindsets—encouraging parents to see the long-term value of education for their children’s futures and for the future of their communities.
As Sustainable Classrooms continues its work in Togo, we remain hopeful. We have seen firsthand the impact that even small changes—like providing better access to supplies, or helping students like Dieu-Donné stay in school—can have. These students deserve not just our admiration but our action.
The next time you find yourself lamenting the commute to work or the challenges of the day, think of the children who walk 10 kilometers to get an education—and then consider what we can do to make their path a little easier.
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