In a significant effort to promote education and legal identity, the Association for the Awakening of Consciences and the Promotion of Useful Vacations (AECPVU) has provided 192 underprivileged children in the Savanes region of Togo with vital documents. On October 2, the organization handed over court judgments and birth certificates to the children in Dapaong. This initiative is part of the project "Promotion of Children's Right to Legal Identity for Equitable Access to Quality Education for All".
The project is implemented in partnership with the Spanish association AFRICACOGE (Africa Welcomes) and the Organization of Charity for Integral Development (OCDI/Caritas-Dapaong). The goal is to enable underprivileged children in the region to obtain essential civil status documents, allowing them to register for the Certificate of Primary Education (CEPD) exam. The documents will also help the children know the exact spelling of their names, surnames, and those of their parents.
The representative of the Regional Directorate of Education in Savanes, Mme Kombaté Sinampoua, expressed gratitude to AECPVU for its efforts in favor of the children. She urged parents to carefully preserve the documents and make copies to be given to the children. These copies will enable students to learn the correct spelling of their names and those of their parents. Mme Kombaté also encouraged the beneficiaries to work hard and listen to their parents and teachers to succeed in their academic year.
The representative of AFRICACOGE, Sister Chrissa Wanning, stated that supporting this initiative is also a way of participating in evangelization. She emphasized the importance of recognizing the official existence of these children and their desire to be trained to build their future. According to her, it is crucial that these children, known to God, are also registered in the state's register.
The coordinator of AECPVU, Yengnagueba Maridja, explained that the initiative aims to support the government's efforts and alleviate the burden on parents. He expressed gratitude to the financial partners for their trust and support, hoping that this assistance will continue to reach other children in need. The ceremony took place in the presence of representatives from OCDI/Caritas-Dapaong, the Diocesan Directorate of Catholic Education (DDEC) in Savanes, and other stakeholders.
The provision of these vital documents is expected to have a positive impact on the education and future prospects of the 192 underprivileged children. By obtaining court judgments and birth certificates, the children will be able to access essential services and opportunities. The initiative also highlights the importance of collaboration between organizations and government agencies to address the challenges faced by underprivileged communities.
The event concluded with an appeal to school directors to establish a list of students without birth certificates each year, facilitating the intervention of partners and avoiding duplication of efforts. With the support of partners like AFRICACOGE and OCDI/Caritas-Dapaong, AECPVU aims to continue its efforts to provide vital documents to underprivileged children in the region.
Key points
- Association provides vital documents to 192 underprivileged children in Savanes region of Togo
- Initiative aims to promote education and legal identity among underprivileged children
- Project implemented in partnership with Spanish association AFRICACOGE and OCDI/Caritas-Dapaong
