pathways togo annual report 2014

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2014 ANNUAL REPORT

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Annual Report produced by PCVs in Togo, on behalf of Pathways Togo. http://pathwaystogo.org

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Page 1: Pathways Togo Annual Report 2014

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2014%ANNUAL%REPORT%

Page 2: Pathways Togo Annual Report 2014

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CONTENTS'

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Director’s%Message%%%%%%%%%%%%3%%%%%%%%Realities%of%Girls’%Education%in%Togo%%%%%%%%%%%%4%

Our%Mission%%%%%%%%%%%%5%Impact%%%%%%%%%%%%6%

Scholarships%%%%%%%%%%%%7%Mentoring%%%%%%%%%%%%8%

Annual%Conferences%%%%%%%%%%10%Leadership%&%Career%Training%%%%%%%%%%11%% Karren%Waid%Dream%Award%%%%%%%%%%%%%12%

% Art%of%Awareness%%%%%%%%%%%%%13%

Board,%Staff,%&%Volunteers%%%%%%%%%%14%%%%%%%%%%How%to%Get%Involved%%%%%%%%%%15%

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Page 3: Pathways Togo Annual Report 2014

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! “They’ve'got'grit”%%!Dear%Friends,%

Thank% you% for% helping% to% make% 2014% another% successful% year% for% Pathways% Togo!% % Your%ongoing%support%makes% it%possible% for%Pathways%Togo%to%continue%enriching%the% lives%of%our%scholars,%their%mentors,%their%families,%their%schools,%and%their%communities.%

In%our%fourth%year%as%a%registered%non\profit,%we%expanded%our%scholarship%program%to%include%55% young% women:% 10% middle% school% scholars,% 21% high% school% scholars,% and% 14% university%scholars.%%%

I% had% the% opportunity% to% meet% these% exceptional% women% during% Pathways% Togo’s% annual%conference% in% July/August% 2014% and% I%was% inspired% by% their% resolve,% their% determination% to%succeed%in%the%face%of%hardship.%%To%put%it%simply:%“they’ve%got%grit.”%%%

“Grit,”% a% personality% trait% linked% to% long\term% success,% perfectly% describes% Pathways% Togo%scholars.% % It% refers% to% a% special% perseverance% and% passion% for% long\term% goals.% % In% order% to%become%a%Pathways%Togo%scholar%in%the%first%place,%each%of%these%young%women%overcame%a%daunting%set%of%obstacles:% they%are%schooled% in%a% language% that% is%not% their%mother% tongue;%many%had%to%fight%for%the%privilege%of%attending%school%and%started%much%later%than%the%age%of%5;%most%had%no%one%to%help%them%with%their%homework%(most%of%their%parents%are%illiterate),%no% math% workbooks% to% fill% out,% no% storybooks% to% read,% and% no% electricity;% and% they% are%continuously%distracted%from%their%studies%by%chores%that%are%part%of%life%in%rural%Africa%where%every%bucket%of%water%has%to%be%fetched%from%a%distant%pump%or%watering%hole.%%%%

In% spite%of% these%obstacles,%each%of% these%young%women%persevered%and,%now,%having%been%selected% for% a% Pathways% Togo% scholarship,% each%of% them% is% determined% to% earn% a% university%education.% % For%many,% they%will%be% the% first%woman% from% their% family% to%obtain%a%university%degree.%%For%some,%they%will%be%the%first%woman%from%their%community%to%obtain%a%university%degree.%%%

Every% time% I% think% about% the% Pathways% Togo% scholars% and% their% grit,% their% determination% to%succeed,%I%am%reminded%of%what%an%honor%it%is%to%be%able%to%support%their%struggle%to%become%educated,%empowered,%female%leaders.%%And%I%know%you%all%feel%the%same%way.%%Thank%you%for%your% unfaltering% support% of% Pathways% Togo.% % Just% like% our% scholars,% you’ve% got% grit,% and%we%appreciate% it.% % Women’s% education% and% empowerment% is% a% long\term% goal% made% up% of%countless%short\term%goals.%%We,%at%Pathways%Togo,%are%in%it%for%the%long%haul%and%we%are%so%thankful%for%your%ongoing%support.%

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Sincerely%yours,%

Danielle%Naugle%Executive%Director,%Pathways%Togo%

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From'the'Director'

Page 4: Pathways Togo Annual Report 2014

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Investing)in)girl’s)education)is)the)surest)way)to)increase)a)country’s)social)and)economic)health.)

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Togo%ranks%among%the%lowest%countries%with%regards%to%education%standards,%gender%equality%and%attendance%at%school.%

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When%girls%pursue%an%education,%they%have%a%significant%impact%on%their%family%and%community.%%

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Essentially,%this%means%her%%children%will%have%greater%health%care,%nutrition,%and%go%further%in%

their%educational%careers.% !

When%you%educate%a%girl%she%will%earn%up%to%25%%more%and%reinvest%90%%of%her%income%%in%her%family.1%!

The%diffusion%and%multiplicity%of%such%improvements%in%societies%across%the%world%is%

called%the%ripple)effect. !

%\%cost%of%education%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%\%lack%of%role%models%%\%transactional%sex%% %%%%%%%%%%\%child%labor%%\%early%pregnancy% % %%%%%%%%%%\%child%marriage%!

WHY?'

'''Realities'of'Girls’'Education'in'Togo'

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%%%%%%%%Girls%in%Togo%%%%%%%%%%have'less'than'

a'''''''''''%

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'50%''''chance%

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%%%%%%%of%finishing%%''primary'school2'!

enroll%in%primary%school,%%

by%the%time%those%girls%reach%secondary%school,%%

the%enrollment%rate%drops%to%fewer'than'30%.%%

While%%89%%

of%Togolese%girls%%%!

Page 5: Pathways Togo Annual Report 2014

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We%are%an% international%NGO%that% specializes% in%gender%and% female%empowerment%by%delivering%a%dynamic%and%holistic% leadership%and%training%program%for%select%girls%

throughout%the%country.%%%

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%MISSION%Pathways% Togo% advances% the% education% of% women% and% girls% in% Togo% through%scholarships,%life%skills,%leadership%training%and%mentoring.%

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%VISION%

Our% long\term%goals% for% success%are% simple% \%we%want%all% our% scholars% to% complete%their%education%and%secure%meaningful%careers.%%

On% a% broader% level,% we% work% to% give% our% scholars% the% tools,% confidence,% and%inspiration% to% take% the% information% and% skills% they% learn% back% to% their% villages,%creating% a% continuous% cycle%of% learning%and%development.%As% such,% this% creation%of%educational%opportunities%for%girls%and%young%women%is%a%just%and%sustainable%means%of%contributing%to%Togo’s%long\term%development.

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APPROACH%Pathways% Togo% believes% in% a% holistic% and% multi\dimensional% scholarship% model%designed% to% foster% academic% and% personal% excellence% in% every% scholar.% Our%programming% removes% all% obstacles% to% completing% a% university% degree% and%empowers% each% scholar% with% the% will% and% the% capacity% to% give% back% to% her%community.%%

We%use%four%main%types%of%intervention:%%%

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%

%

%

!''''PATHWAYS'TOGO'

SCHOLARSHIPS% MENTORING%

CONFERENCES%

%

LEADERSHIP%&%CAREER%TRAINING%

Page 6: Pathways Togo Annual Report 2014

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!IMPACT'

1'scholar'studying''''''medicine'abroad.'

''7'new'scholars'in'2015'!

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$'In'2014,''

we%awarded%

$6000'in''scholarship''

funding'$$$$$$$$$$$$$$'%!

communities'''discussed'the'importance'of'

GENDER'EQUALITY''with'Pathways'Staff'in'2014.'

30'''

'PATHWAYS'OFFICE'

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18'alumni'since%2011%

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Page 7: Pathways Togo Annual Report 2014

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“Without% Pathways% Togo,% I% would% have% never% made% it% out% of%middle% school.% I% was% alone,% my% family% did% not% support% my%education,% and% often% I% would% go% to% sleep% very% hungry.% I% knew% if%given%the%chance,%I%could%go%far.%Pathways%believed%I%could%go%the%distance.%Today,% I%have%a%university%degree%and%serve%my%country%as%a%police%officer.“

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%Baniab%Larba%%

))))))))))))))))))))))))))))Pathways)Togo)Alumni)

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'''SCHOLARSHIPS'

Pathways% Togo% scholarships% are% available% to% Togolese%girls%and%women%enrolled%as%full\time%students%in%middle%school.%The%six\member%scholarship%selection%committee,%comprised% of% Togolese% community% partners% and% Peace%Corps% Volunteers,% carefully% reviews% each% application% to%handpick%scholars%who%demonstrate%leadership,%financial%need,%and%academic%excellence.%%By%helping%our% scholars%afford% tuition,% textbooks,% school%supplies,%and%uniforms,%Pathways%gives%women%the%tools%they%need%to%reach%their%full%potential.%

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In%2013,%%

85%%of%our%scholars%were%%

in%the%top'10%%of%their%class.%

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90%'of%Pathways%scholars%%passed%the%competitive%national%exams,%

compared%to%a%national%average%of%42%.%

%

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%$50%supports%a%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%middle%school%scholar%%%%%%%$100%supports%a%%%%%high%school%scholar%%%%%%%

%%%%$200%supports%a%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%university%scholar%

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%for%an%entire%year.%!

Page 8: Pathways Togo Annual Report 2014

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'''MENTORING'

To% help% navigate% the% trials% and% vicissitudes% of%pursuing% an% education,% each% Pathways% scholar% is%paired% with% a% supportive% and% enthusiastic% mentor.%%Pathways% mentors% are% leaders% in% the% community,%often% live% just% minutes% away% and% are% both%determined% and% trained% to% ensure% their% scholars%succeed,% both% in% life% and% in% school.%Mentors% play% a%vital% role% in%the%success%of%our%scholars.%The%mentor%understands%the%unique%challenges%students%face%and%can%provide%crucial%guidance%and%local%support.%

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Mentors)with)their)scholars)at)this)past)year’s)annual)middle)school)conference.)

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Page 9: Pathways Togo Annual Report 2014

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' ' ' ' ' MEET'BIHEZA''

At'this'year’s'Pathways'Conference,'Biheza'and'Solange'met'with'Pathways'Staff'to'devise'a'plan'to'fulfill'her'dream'of'becoming'a'nurse.'Together,'they'reflected'on'Solange’s'past'intention'of'early'marriage'to'avoid'future'financial'hardship'and'leave'her'grandmother’s'home.'Pikele'convinced'Solange'that'only'a'better'education'could'truly'ensure'her'a'better'quality'of'life.'Through'Pathways'and'her'new'mentor,'Solange'has'found'a'new'family'to'care'for'her'and'a'new'confidence'to'achieve'her'dreams.'

''

“''I'have'always'given'her'a'kick'out'of'the'nest,'and'today'she'is'a'leader'among'her'peers'and'is'active'with'our'village’s'youth.”'

bBiheza'Pikele'!

MENTOR'STORY'

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Solange,% a% 19% year% old% high% school% scholar% from%Vogan,%

was% orphaned% as% an% infant.% She%was% brought% up% by% her%

grandmother% who% does% not% support% her% education.% In%

2013,% Solange%was% selected%as% a%Pathways%Togo% scholar%

and% asked% to% identify% a% female% role% model% in% the%

community%to%serve%as%her%mentor.%Miss%Pikele%is%school%

teacher% in% Vogan% and% happily% agreed% to% take% Solange%

under%her%wing%and%support%her%in%her%education.%

Page 10: Pathways Togo Annual Report 2014

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''''ANNUAL'CONFERENCES'

Scholars%enrolled% in%university%attend%a%conference%at% the%University%of% Lomé% while% middle% school% and% high% school% students% attend%conferences%in%a%secluded%conference%center.%%

At% each% conference,% students% receive% their% scholarships,% attend%workshops,%participate%in%educational%enrichment%programs,%and%have%a%rare%opportunity%to%focus%on%their%personal%growth%\%away%from%the%demands%of%family%and%daily%chores.%%

Mentors% accompany% their% scholars% to% the% conferences% as% well% and%attend% specialized% sessions% designed% to% enhance% their% capacity% and%foster%better%communication%with%their%scholar.%

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%

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Middle'School' High'School' University'

• Understanding%Gender%Roles%

• Sexual%Harassment%• Mentoring%

Techniques%• Candle%Ceremony%

• Academic%Orientation%• Project%Management%• Improving%

Communication%• Girl’s%and%Children’s%

Rights%%

• Career%Planning%• Advanced%Research%

Methods%• Art%of%Public%

Speaking%• Computer%Training%

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%

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EXAMPLE'SESSIONS'

Page 11: Pathways Togo Annual Report 2014

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''LEADERSHIP'&'CAREER'TRAINING'

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Pathways’' model' includes' supplemental' activities'designed' to' empower' each' scholar' with'employable' skills' and' competencies' to' help' them'once'they'graduate'university.''

%

! • Professional'Networking'Events'and'Alumni'Reconnects''

Pathways% hosts% forums% for% current% and% past% scholars% to% personally%connect% and% exchange% experiences,% advice,% and% networking%strategies.%%

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• Community'Engagement%

Pathways% Togo% develops% various% themes% and% national% projects%each% year% to% keep% our% programming% new% and% vibrant% for% our%scholars%as%they%progress%in%their%educational%careers.%They%focus%on% activities% that% promote% community% engagement.%Furthermore,% the% scholars% themselves% typically% drive% the%planning%and%execution%of%the%projects%themselves.%

This% year,% Pathways% won% an% award% from% Plan% International,%allowing% our% scholars% to% discuss% the% problem% of% sexual%harassment%in%Togo%through%the%Art)of)Awareness%campaign.%

!

• The'Karren'Waid'Dream'Award'

Small\grants%program%available%by%application%for%scholars%to%develop%projects% in% their% communities.% Scholars% learn% project% management%skills%and%learn%the%value%of%community%service.%

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• Research'and'Technology''

University%scholars%participate% in%a%6\week%computer%course%hosted%by% the% U.S.% Embassy.% The% course% is% designed% to% familiarize% the%scholars% with% advanced% computing% skills% in% order% to% excel% in% the%Togolese%workforce.%%

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Page 12: Pathways Togo Annual Report 2014

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KARREN'WAID'DREAM'AWARD'

Dream'Award'Impact'%

• 10'Pathways%Scholars%have%completed%a%Dream%Award%

project%

• 780%community%members%trained%in%hygiene)and)

sanitation))

• 5%community%members%trained%in%agro\forestry%

techniques%

• 550'community%members%trained%on%improved%food)

security%

• 3400'students%who%benefit%from%enhanced%school%

environment%and%improved)access)to)resources%%

• 2'school'libraries%founded%to%serve%over)800)students%!

In%all%of% its%activities,%Pathways%Togo%encourages%scholars%not%only%to%excel% as% individuals,% but% also% to% become% future% leaders% and% to% help%others.%

The% Dream% Award% gives% select% Pathways% scholars% the% tools% to% fulfill%their%potential%by%implementing%specific%projects%that%will%benefit%their%communities.% All% scholars% are% encouraged% to% apply% for% funding% and%each%application%must%provide%a%description%of%the%project%along%with%other%standard%grant%components.%

Every%Dream%Award%applicant%will% identify% a%need% in%her% community%and%work%with%local%partners%to%solve%or%ameliorate%the%problem.%%Previous% projects% include:% Hand\Washing% and%Hygiene% Campaign% for%Primary% School,% Community% Trash% Removal% and% Sanitation% and%Modern%Agro\Forestry%Trainings.%%This% past% year,% a% university% scholar% hosted% a% book% donation% in% her%community%for%the%local%schools.%

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Page 13: Pathways Togo Annual Report 2014

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ART'OF'AWARENESS'

Pathways%Togo%develops%various%themes%and%national%projects%each%year%to%keep%our%programming%new%and%

vibrant%for%our%scholars%as%they%progress%in%their%educational%careers.%They%focus%on%activities%that%

promote%community%engagement.%Furthermore,%the%scholars%themselves%typically%drive%the%planning%and%

execution%of%the%projects%themselves.%%%

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This% year,% all% 55% of% our% scholars% collaborated%with%women%and%girls% in% their%communities% to%create% art% projects% that% told% stories% of% sexual%harassment%that%women%have%experienced%and%imagine% a% world% free% from% gender\based%discrimination.% These% efforts% were% done% with%the% support% of% agencies% such% as% Plan%International%and%the%Togolese%government.%

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By% sharing% these% impactful% projects% and%broadcasting% them% through% radio% and%television,% we% give% voice% to% our% scholars% and%other% Togolese% women,% sparking% a% national%conversation%about%gender\based%violence%and%discrimination%in%Togo.%

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Page 14: Pathways Togo Annual Report 2014

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BOARD%OF%DIRECTORS%

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'''''''''''''BOARD,'STAFF,'&'VOLUNTEERS'

Danielle%Naugle,%Executive)Director%

Julia%McNally,%Founding)Director%

Laurie%Segel\Moss,)Founding)Director)

Kyra%Turner%Zogbekor,)Founding)Director%

Wendy%Swift,%President%

Nancy%Cavillones,%Communications)Director)

Nadia%McInnis,%Treasurer%

Amanda%Young,%Board)Member%

Stephanie%Palmer,%Board)Member%%

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Jonas%N.%Akondo,%Program)Administrator%

Patrick%Roisen,%Sr%Development)Officer%

Kelsey%Corey,%Sr)Conference)Coordinator%

Shea%Flynn,%Sr)Media)Specialist%

%

Kodjo%Attisso,%Advisor%

Beth%Krueger,%Development)Officer%

Saumya%Deva,%Conference)Coordinator%

Julie%Strupp,%Media)Specialist%

%

TOGO\BASED%PARTNERS%

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Want'to'read'more'about'Pathways'Togo?'

Would'you'like'to'get'involved?'

The'following'are'ways'many'people'who'care'about'this'issue'get'involved:'

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www.pathwaystogo.org'''''''''''

Visit%our%Website%or%contact%our%friendly%team%to%learn%more%

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Host%your%own%fundraiser%

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Donate%to%a%worthy%cause%

!

You'can'download'our'grassroots'fundraising'guide'on'our'website!'!

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Graphics:%Shea%Flynn%See%website%for%full%bibliography.%