Togo is a small West African country tucked in the midst of Ghana, Benin and Burkina Faso and bordered on the south by the Gulf of Guinea. Let’s learn some interesting facts about Togo – the home of over 66,000 Compassion-assisted children.

Remember when we registered our first child in Togo? That was about five months ago. Would you like to know how Compassion Togo is doing now? Good! We have that for you! Visit Togo’s news page and read what the Acting Country Director has to say about Compassion’s impact in Togo thus far. We […]

Story by Delanyo Tenge, Compassion Togo program communications manager, and Barb Liggett, Global Strategy Office intern September 17, 2008 was the day the staff of Compassion Togo (CIT) had prepared fervently for, and the excitement had reached its peak. As Compassion’s newest country, the staff began registering children in Compassion Togo’s first child development […]

This is David. He was the first registered child in Togo. And this is his sister, Gracia. She was the second child registered by Compassion Togo. They don’t have sponsors yet. And neither do these Togolese children. If you: sponsor a child from Togo between now and December 31 AND you sign up for […]

Tragically, one in every 10 children in Togo dies before they reach their fifth birthday. But thanks to a new partnership between pro golfer Kevin Streelman and Compassion, change is coming for two communities.

Today, we’re beginning a four part series to introduce you to Togo, the newest country Compassion works in. The Compassion office is now open, and the staff are working to begin registering children in the fall. An Overview of the Country Located in West Africa, Togo has a southern coastline that borders the Bight […]

We began our ministry in Togo in 2009 with the Child Sponsorship Program. In just under two years we have registered more than 4,300 children and we partner with 20 Implementing Church Partners.

This is part four in our four part series – The Case for Compassion Togo Driving through the streets of Lome, Togo, scenes unfold that are far too common in sub-Saharan Africa. Individuals ranging from very young to very old sit and stand at the side of the road, hoping to sell baked goods […]

This Compassion center in southern Togo knows how to throw a memorable celebration at Christmastime. This year, however, a shadow of uncertainty is cast over the children and their families. COVID-19 restrictions have been enforced across Togo, prohibiting the center’s traditional Christmas gathering. Kids at the center are still grappling with what this Christmas […]

Part two in our four part series – The Case for Compassion Togo The children of Togo are especially affected by the economic and social issues of the country. The infant mortality rate is nearly 60 deaths per 1,000 live births and the under-five mortality rate is approximately 140 deaths out of 1,000 births. […]

This is part three in our four part series – The Case for Compassion Togo Christianity in Togo dates back to the mid-1800s when the Methodist and Presbyterian denominations organized churches in the country. They were followed by the Catholic Church about 40 years later and today are joined by churches affiliated with the […]

For millions of girls around the world, menstruation brings shame, confusion and stigma. Discover how girls in Brazil, Honduras, Sri Lanka and Togo are finding education and empowerment with Compassion’s support.

[…] started having epileptic seizures. When her family realized her condition, they abandoned her and her mother because in their village, epilepsy is considered a curse. In Adaboukope, Togo, where they live, nearly 80 percent of the population is animist. They love Voodoo statues made with their own hands. When people there are overwhelmed, they resort […]

In addition to the expectation and excitement of registering our first child in Togo later this year, I’m very excited to say that two weeks ago our Board of Directors unanimously approved plans to begin work in Sri Lanka. Of course, there is still much preparation that needs to be done to launch this […]

For children in Togo and around the world, a letter from a sponsor is a source of great joy. Most children see letters as gifts from the hearts of their sponsors.

[…] the basement? Does Compassion’s headquarters even have a basement? Do Santa’s workshop personnel kick it here during the off-season addressing and licking envelopes and sleighing over to Togo, Indonesia and Honduras to drop off sponsor letters? Payroll and finance must have a tough time keeping up with the influx of elfishness. No genies. No […]

In Togo, national statistics indicate that 39 percent of the population do not have access to an improved drinking water source. A quarter of the Togolese population do not have, within a 30 minute walk, a source of drinking water.

It is my great privilege to introduce you to Fellow Blewussi Kpodo, our 1 millionth sponsored child! Fellow is 8 years old and lives in Togo with his father, two older sisters and one younger brother. And he now has a very bright future! 🙂 And who better to stand alongside this precious little […]

[…] who we are? Compassion International. Part of that internationality is that we work in 24 countries throughout the developing world … uh, 25 countries (you know about Togo, right?) And the other part of that internationality is that there are 11 countries that form Compassion’s Global Partner Alliance. These are the countries where you, […]

I’m currently on a story-gathering trip in Lome, Togo, our newest country, which is where I met Afi. Afi stood shyly inside her home as we hauled in our gear — cameras, video equipment, tripods and microphones. Her dusty yard was shaded by heavy papaya trees, offering a bit of relief from the hot […]

This Compassion Sunday in Togo is a very different kind of Compassion Sunday than we are used to in the United States.

[…] gifts I got that year, but I remember feeling so special that Santa had made a house call to visit me. That memory surfaced recently when I read the story of Valerie, a little girl in Togo. Valerie’s first Christmas memory happened last year — because it was the first time she ever celebrated Christmas.

[…] get assigned the tambourine instead. 7. That one friend who can’t contain their excitement… Everyone is looking forward to lunch at their Compassion center, but Gerard in Togo is really, really looking forward to it. 8. Double trouble in Peru. Twin boys Marcos and Isaac in Peru are double the blessing (and double the […]

[…] (app, online, stationery, etc.). Remembering or making time to write. This article also gave me the chance to share some insanely adorable photos of 6-year-old Fortune in Togo, who had recently received her first letters from her sponsor. 2. Facts About Togo: A West African Treasure You love learning all about the 25 countries […]

[…] feel sick in my stomach after drinking water,” she says. “I am so grateful for Compassion for helping my family to get a water filter.” 7. Mary, Togo Before In 5-year-old Mary’s district, a survey by Compassion Togo revealed just 3 percent of families had access to potable water — including hers. “We shared […]

[…] is, your words encourage, motivate and provide tangible evidence to a child living in poverty that he or she is loved. Recently we asked a group of children in Togo this question, What is the most interesting thing your sponsor has written and told you? Here are some of their answers… He told me he has […]

[…] egg.” — Kevin, 4, Bolivia 3. Adults need a hobby “What will I do for fun when I grow up? Nothing. Grown-ups don’t have fun!” — Segnon, Togo 4. An unusual hero “When I grow up, I want to be like the tooth fairy and help teeth grow.” — Paula, 5, Brazil 5. Post-pandemic […]

Herve’s face lights up when he thinks of the Christmas celebration at his Compassion center in Togo last year. He rushes inside to retrieve and show off the special gifts he received: brand-new clothes — the only new set he received. The 6-year-old knows the pandemic means Christmas will look different this year. That […]

[…] the families in South America’s rural communities who are highly affected by COVID-19 due to a lack of immediate access to health care. Entrée: Africa Grilled chicken, Togo Africa is well-known for its safaris, but that’s not all the continent can boast about! African dishes are full of spices and flavor — many including […]

[…] successful beauty salon and plan to open a men’s clothing boutique. Theophile, Shoemaker Bright and driven Theophile discovered his talent of shoemaking at his Compassion center in Togo. The teenager is both top of his academic class and enjoys managing his small shoemaking business in his free time. In his language, he is known […]

[…] women from vastly different countries and cultures as they reveal their shared fears and hopes of motherhood, as well as the impact of our Child Survival Program. TOGO The dusty radio sits in the corner of our hut and brings bad news — the radio announcer tells us another woman from my village has […]

[…] the camera when they’re around! So, for Tiago and his puppy, here are some of our favorite furry friends that we’ve met around the world! Ecuador Bolivia Togo Brazil India* Dominican Republic Philippines Thailand and the photo bomb award goes to… Guatemala Little Tiago became sponsored that day when he led us into his […]

[…] they need … That’s why we’re so grateful that God allowed Compassion to help provide medical support to over 161,525 people between April and June 2020. In Togo, 9-year-old Wisdom was diagnosed with life-threatening malaria. It left him screaming in pain and struggling to eat or speak. And to top it off, both of […]

[…] children and families they serve. (from Ethiopia) SEVEN Children become kinder, because they want to show their sponsors they care for others and are behaving well. (from Togo) SIX Sponsor letters act as a communication channel between children and their sponsors. They enable children to have an intimate relationship with their sponsors. When sponsors […]

[…] holistic development strategy includes four domains: physical, socio-emotional, cognitive and spiritual. Today I will explain how we teach the spiritual domain at our child development centers in Togo. Saturday is a full activity day at development centers in Togo. Everything starts with devotion. Devotion is the time for center staff share the Word of […]

Eyram is one of the first children enrolled at the La Grace Child Development Center, located about 50 kilometers from Lomé, Togo. She lives with Pierre, her father, and Julienne, her mother. Pierre is unemployed and Julienne is petty trader. During the first days at the development center, we realized Eyram was often absent […]

[…] and Friends tomorrow (May 21) at 6:50 a.m. EDT to “meet” our 1 millionth child and his sponsor. The newly sponsored child lives with his father outside Togo’s capital city of Lomé. Togo, a country whose population is seriously affected by the devastation of AIDS, is the most recent country to join the growing […]

“I want to thank my sponsor for having not forgotten me. I love her and her letters.” — Fortune, 6, Togo For the best letter writing tips, go straight to the experts: sponsors! Recently we put out a call on our Facebook page asking for the best advice about writing to children in Compassion’s […]

[…] Compassion, we confidently declare that each child supported by our program is connected to only one sponsor. Rejoice met her sponsor, Morgan, for the first time in Togo. We are committed to the model of one child matched to one sponsor. As a sponsor, you can be confident your sponsorship donations benefit the child […]

[…] rooftops. This story shows that sometimes courage means never giving up hope. READ MORE › 11. The Fight to Rescue a Child from a Voodoo Temple in Togo From left to right: Lossou, Aklobessi’s two brothers, Aklobessi, and Aklobessi’s mother More than half the people in Togo practice Voodoo, and Alkobessi’s parents were no […]

[…] go, Salama! Watch She’ll Save the Entire Family and subscribe to Compassion YouTube for more stories. Love Is in the Hair Grace, Makafui and Delali are friends from Togo who dream of opening a hair salon when they grow up! “The name of the salon will be ‘I Will Praise You.’ We can do anyone’s […]

[…] to see people respond. Just after we started iwontwatch.com, we met our early goals so quickly. Compassion then asked us if we would help stop malaria in Togo. Now, the other thing Michigan has besides cars is mosquitos, and I worked for a couple of years at a camp where the swarming mosquitos could […]

[…] people to know that the Lord is present.” The choir had been invited to celebrate the 2008 Global Leadership Forum and to welcome Compassion’s newest field country, Togo. Hailing from the Anglican Mlimwa Student Center in Tanzania, 12 children from the 40-person choir boarded a plane for their first trip outside their country. “None […]

[…] affected are Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia with a few reported cases in Nigeria. To date, there have been no reported cases in Burkina Faso, Ghana or Togo, where Compassion ministers to almost 125,000 children through more than 500 church-based child development centers.   And how does one contract Ebola? Contrary to what you […]

[…] feel-good stories will make you smile, praise God and shout, “Amen!” Jump to: Africa: Burkina Faso | Ethiopia | Ghana | Kenya | Rwanda | Tanzania | Togo | Uganda Asia: Bangladesh | Indonesia | Philippines | Thailand | Sri Lanka  Central America and the Caribbean:  Dominican Republic | El Salvador | Guatemala | […]

[…] into the countries where we work. If your Compassion-sponsored child has been impacted we will contact you directly. “Compassion is working with country health officials in Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso to stay informed about the Ebola outbreak and its potential risks,” says Terry Laura, Compassion’s health technical advisor, “In all three countries, Compassion […]

[…] another man sitting in a wheelchair on a dirt path. Girl with Paint A girl covered in bright paint colors smiles, laying on the ground. Girl in Togo A girl hugs her mom’s legs. Child in Togo A man holds a young child, walking outside. Girl in El Salvador A mom hugs and kisses […]

[…] child mortality rates. As I look into the 2006 international statistics on infant mortality, the countries I would hope to see us in are Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Togo* and Tanzania. However, it is very important for us to have reports on infant mortality in all the countries where we work. This will give us […]

[…] of his birthmark. And I told them, ‘Stop. That’s not good. That’s not right.’ To be best friends, you need to help each other.” – David, 14, Togo Friendship Prayer Point: Ask God that children living in poverty would stand up for and help each other. Brenda, Sandra and Juan Sometimes our best and […]

Dentessi and her grandson, Emile live northeast of Vogan, Togo. Emile does not know his father and his mother lives in Nigeria. Like all other children at the Deeper Life Church Child Development Center, Emile receives frequent visits from our staff. They quickly realized that the boy was not eating well. In fact, his […]

[…] hope form our President, pictured smiling and holding a young Rwandan girl wearing an orange dress. A man, Santiago A boy in a patterned yellow and red Togolese outfit stands, speaking into a microphone. He is in a room made from woven leaves. He is an example of the Easter message of hope. A […]

This year, we asked your most burning letter-writing questions to those in the know! Here are your best questions and answers of the year.

[…] one letter than no letters.” So that’s why (and how) this busy father, husband, musician and author makes time to write to Ariel in Bolivia, Davi in Togo, and Ashley and Jade in the Dominican Republic. He knows the power of words to uplift — even if it’s only a few words at a […]

[…] to receive support until a new sponsor is found. For 9-year-old Happy, this fund helped save her life. She lived in one of the poorest villages in Togo. Happy’s father had four wives and too many kids to care for. The children were left to fend for themselves. Happy would eat clay for lack […]

[…] life of a child. The letters encourage the children to work harder at the center and inspire them to reach their dreams.” — Pastor Kwasi Edudzi Aziakpati, Togo “Every letter received represents a glimmer of hope and balms our children’s hearts.” — Pastor Pascal Bonkoungou, Burkina Faso “Every kid is special and unique, and […]

[…] through the local church that God intends to rescue His people, both now and for eternity. Pastor Aklobessi Koffi Hyacinthe with the children in his community in Togo, who he ministers to through the Compassion program. We partner with pastors who have a proven track record of being the hands and feet of Jesus […]

Ryan Johnson laughs with a child in Togo on a story-gathering trip. What do you get when a storyteller goes back in time? In this case, four of the best films Compassion has to offer from the past 10 years. Ryan Johnson, Creative Manager for Global Marketing at Compassion, is an award-winning documentary director […]

[…] is the number-one cause of morbidity among beneficiaries in Compassion Africa. Last fiscal year, malaria accounted for 80 percent of beneficiary morbidity in Ghana and 65 percent in Togo. And of all the cases of illness reported in the East Africa region, 39 percent were malaria related. However, we are doing all we can to fight […]

[…] malaria.* Then imagine stopping this killer disease. In one community in West Africa, it was done. In the small town of Amlamé, about 100 miles outside of Togo’s capital, Lomé, 60 children a year were dying of malaria. It was the leading cause of child deaths at their district hospital in 2015. Why Amlamé’s […]

[…] to follow Jesus Christ. And if they keep on that way, they will have a happy life.” – Wise words from Monica, a dedicated momma in # Togo! She has 10 kids in total – and her twin boys are completely adorable! ?????? #VoicesofCompassion #twins #twinning #babies #babystagram #toocuteforwords #wordsofwisdom #africa #babyphoto A post […]

[…] powers for good and encourage them as they use their voices. 4. Have family dinner together. Little Ruth and her parents praying for their meal together in Togo. OK, this is the one I least wanted to be true, but without fail it ranked at the top of every single piece of research on […]

[…] they have fewer resources available to them — resources like clean water, access to healthful food, or money to buy schoolbooks for their kids. Moms like Alice in Togo with her son, Amevor, who is in the Compassion program. It is my moments of clarity that I begin to make choices to reflect the truth […]

[…] as a tutor. Providing hope because it was first given to her. Behind the Scenes Heroes What does it take to run a child development center in Togo? Why not hear it from nine staff members themselves! Tsehaywota Taddesse: How Shepherding in Ethiopia Prepared Me for Leadership The Director of Compassion Ethiopia once spent […]

If I told you to handwrite and mail a letter right now, what would you have to do? First, find a piece of paper. And not just ripped out of a notebook — I’m talking about the good stuff. Stationery or a greeting card preferably. Also, you need a pen. The first one you grab […]

[…] Mary Harms does when she writes, Winner, the boy she sponsors. “We try to imagine what it must be like for Winner as the Compassion worker in Togo reads and translates our letters to him,” says Mary. “Although we may not be able to hug Winner or see him in person, it feels like […]

[…] wisdom, and courage to join in changing and taking this ministry to the height you have in mind for us. Amen! ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Delanyo Yawa Tenge works as the Program Communications Manager in Togo. Read all the One in Spirit devotionals. group of people watching children perform in a church one in spirit banner

On my desk, there’s a picture of a family in Togo, a small country in West Africa. In that picture, a man and woman stand in front of a home with their four children gathered around them. But there should be five children. Akouvi is missing from the photo. I began sponsoring her when […]

[…] “Because of my stall, I can be at home with my children while I cook. Thanks to the Lord, people already know me and my empanadas.” Adi, Togo Adi did not give birth to Thomas, but she is most definitely his mother now. When Thomas, her nephew, was 4 weeks old, Adi found him […]

[…] 10 partner countries, in addition to the U.S., all of which sponsor children in the developing world. We work in 24 countries, soon to be 25 when Togo begins registering children later this month in September. As of May 30, sponsors from the U.S. alone support more than 608,000 children. Which country do you […]

[…] (@compassion) on Oct 6, 2016 at 9:23am PDT And as a bonus, here’s our most popular Instagram video of the year.   #Friday! These two buds # Togo show off some dance moves to their class. Tag your bestie in the comments who you love to ???? with! A video posted by Compassion International […]

[…] your left in your kingdom.” —Matthew 20:21, NIV Prayer: Please, Lord, help us to be a positive influence on the people we come in contact with. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: John Laba is the Area Director for West Africa, Togo. Read all the One in Spirit devotionals.    woman and boy smiling one in spirit banner

[…] Ten-year-old Joshua from Canada gave up his desire for $40 worth of iTunes music from his allowance each month to sponsor a child his same age in Togo. But that wasn’t enough for Joshua, so he decided to inspire other fifth-graders in his class with his powerful story that they, too, could change the […]

[…] you view poverty. You could call it one of our New Year’s resolutions. We’re dancing right along with our friends at Child Development Center TG970 in Lome, Togo! Staff Totally Worth Welcoming The beginning of the new year meant a brand-new job for one of our newest teammates in Indonesia. Welcome to the team, […]

[…] who lacks self-control. —Proverbs 25:28, NIV Prayer: Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, we take dominion over everything negative in our marriages, businesses, finances, families, ministries and relationships. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Komlavi Peter Ataty is the Country Director for Compassion Togo. Read all the One in Spirit devotionals.  dump site one in spirit banner

[…] contributor, Katy Causey. Katy did a great job at comparing and contrasting her own pregnancy with that of her friend Helen in New Zealand and Rita in Togo. And I love the way motherhood brings mankind in close proximity like nothing else. 8. Letter Writing: Lost In Translation This infographic is near to our […]

The Republic of Ghana is a bustling country found in West Africa between Cote d’Ivoire, Togo and Burkina Faso, and it borders the stunning Gulf of Guinea. Formally known as the Gold Coast, Ghana boasts great natural wealth and beauty, not to mention giant markets, colonial forts and a lively culture. From Lake Volta […]

[…] keep on speaking, do not be silent. —Acts 18:9, NIV Prayer: Lord, empower us to triumph in times of hardship. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kokouvi Oevo is a Sponsor and Donor Services Associate in the Compassion Togo office. Read all the One in Spirit devotionals.   large group of people waving Philippians chapter 2 verse 2 banner

[…] of our programs and work. Children attending Compassion-assisted child development centers at their local churches learn to pray as part of the activities. These sponsored children in Togo pray to ask God for direction, for someone to love them, for provision — for more of Him. How different (or similar) are your prayers? “Be […]

[…] high school and raised $550. So what happened to the money that Erin raised? Meet Lucas. He is 10 years old living in the Kovie village in Togo and is part of our Child Sponsorship Development program. His father passed away in 2011 and his mother sells firewood and coconuts for an income – […]

[…] of food to support their residents.  Children and youth in many areas Compassion serves are among those at greatest risk. Per Compassion estimates, in nations across the world such as Rwanda, Togo and Haiti, an overwhelming majority of beneficiaries registered in recent years — and their entire households — are already living on $3.20 per day or less.  For many […]

[…] 34:10–11, NIV (emphasis added) Prayer: Lord, help us live according to our calling for the achievement of the 2020 Vision in Jesus’ name. Amen. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kokouvi Glakpe is a Human Resources Specialist in our office in Togo. Read all the One in Spirit devotionals. Wess Stafford with another man one in spirit banner

[…] that would be! (Photo: @katycausey11) A photo posted by Compassion International (@compassion) on Sep 9, 2014 at 3:30pm PDT 4. March 18 Too cool for poverty # Togo A photo posted by Compassion International (@compassion) on Mar 3, 2014 at 10:41am PDT 3. May 19 In #BurkinaFaso, this little girl attends a Compassion Child […]

[…] laid, which is Jesus Christ. — 1 Corinthians 3:9–11 Prayer: Lord, help us all set our minds upon spiritual issues in order to gain spiritual gifts. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Paul Yao Gaglo works in our office in Togo. Read all the One in Spirit devotionals. men laying bricks for a house one in spirit banner

[…] sponsor! Find More International Recipes! Try a recipe from your sponsored child’s country! Africa: Burkina Faso | Ethiopia | Ghana | Kenya | Rwanda | Tanzania | Togo | Uganda Asia: Bangladesh | Indonesia | Philippines | Thailand | Sri Lanka Central America and the Caribbean: Dominican Republic | El Salvador | Guatemala | […]

[…] the sponsors themselves.” — Jackson, Tanzania “Your words of advice, congratulations and encouragement lead children to strive for excellence in all areas of their lives.” — Konvi, Togo “Exchanging letters between children and sponsors is very important. It improves children’s writing skills and enables them to understand other countries’ lifestyles.” — Ojho, Ethiopia “We […]

[…] after all we could not have reached any of them without you! We registered our one millionth child. We opened the first Compassion child development center in Togo. Compassion Tanzania registered its 50,000 child. Of course, a year can be marked with trials as well. But through these trials the Lord is faithful to […]

[…] child. And a few weeks ago, I got to meet that one child — Fellow Blewussi Kpodo. He lives in a dusty community just outside of Lomé, Togo. Fellow’s whole family had come out for our meeting. His father stood proudly, his arm on the shoulder of his oldest son. Fellow’s two older sisters […]

[…] the cycle of poverty in their lives and neighborhoods! Dominican Republic How Does Child Sponsorship Work? Youth Development Who Takes Care of the Child You Sponsor in Togo? 7 People Who Defeated Poverty With Their Sponsors Sponsor a Child Jose Frank at his Childhood Home A man leans against a wood and corrugated metal […]

[…] someone about our financial accountability or the independent research that shows our child sponsorship program really works, call us at (800) 336-7676. This was originally published on June 27, 2010 and has been updated with the most accurate information as of February 2024. Indonesian Money How Is My Money Used Facebook Staff in Togo how-is-my-money-used-letter-filing