This February, Don Zoukoutouja celebrated its 50th Transformational Community Development (TCD) meeting. It was indeed a happy moment of reflection on the progress we have made as a community. We are excited to continue the initiatives we have already begun. The community praised the different committees responsible for environmental sanitation, education, handwashing, constructing simple trash bins using local materials, and promoting proper washing and cleaning of dishes.

It was generally agreed upon that the wellbeing of the community had greatly improved since the building of ventilated improved pit (VIP) toilets. Going forward, we have plans to cooperate with donors to pursue a solar-powered borehole project.

Thank you!

Women’s empowerment in Ngassa has really been a source of inspiration to all who have been a part of the Transformational Community Development (TCD) endeavor here. We have been focusing on empowering women through skills training in small business management, and women who previously lacked income sources are now running successful businesses and earning steady income.

Initially, most of the women were idle and unable to generate an income to help augment the needs of their families, but as more TCD trainings and meetings occurred, where they were taught skills and heard the testimonies of others, more and more of them have been inspired to start a trade of their own.

One wonderful example is Dada, who has started trading some food items she prepares around the community and has been turning a tidy profit. We are definitely making great strides in alleviating poverty within the region.

The outcome of the training has been improved financial independence, better family wellbeing, and a boost in community economic growth. Women have transitioned from dependence to self-sustainance, making a tangible impact on their lives and the community.

Thank you!

In Attakasikoro, the new academic session has encountered a minor setback in the local primary school. It appears there are very few children of the appropriate age to enroll in the introductory or foundational class. As a result, that class is empty, and the school continues without that particular grade. Other than that, there have been no challenges, as the Transformational Community Development (TCD) provided borehole continues to function properly and the community’s health continues to flourish.

Thank you!

Marie is a hardworking mother who struggled greatly to provide for her family before the introduction of the Transformational Community Development (TCD) program in her community. She is the mother of Josephine and the grandmother of Peter and Christiana. Life was very difficult for her in the past. She depended on working for other people—doing small jobs and labor work—just to earn enough money to feed herself and the children. Sometimes the income was not even enough to provide regular meals, and meeting basic needs was a daily challenge.

Since the coming of the TCD program, Marie’s life has changed positively. Through the knowledge and skills she received from the program, she is now able to work for herself. She has gained confidence and practical skills that allow her to earn a more stable income. Today, she can better provide food and care for Josephine, Peter, and Christiana.

The TCD program has not only improved her financial condition but has also restored her dignity and hope for a better future. She is very grateful for the opportunity and continues to work hard to sustain her progress.

Thank you!

When a young woman became enlightened to the merits of agriculture through Transformational Community Development (TCD), she approached the TCD champion at her village for partnership. He provided her five cups of maize seed at the cost of Le100.00 ($4) and encouraged her to request a piece of swampland from the local authority to cultivate.

As soon as the authority granted her request, she approached laborers to help her construct heaps for planting. Since then, in the morning and evening hours, she goes to the farm with her children to do some planting and dressing of the crops. She and her family are optimistic that the project will be a successful venture as she continues to implement the innovative agricultural practices she learns from her regular attendance of the TCD meetings.

Thank you!

Pa John was initially a stranger in Komende Village who migrated there during the war in Sierra Leone 11 years ago. Since joining the community, he has been involved in the profession of farming, which his family has practiced for over 30 years. With his knowledge, he saw the added value of the agricultural concepts taught by Transformational Community Development (TCD) and was one of the first members in his community to participate. Today, he is the TCD chairman for the village.

Because of his hard work and commitment to practicing TCD’s agricultural initiative, he is now proud of the success of his large-scale backyard garden, which has yielded more than ever before. His family is now well taken care of, and he continues to be a proponent and advocate for the importance of TCD in achieving sustainable development.

Thank you!

Through the Transformational Community Development (TCD) project, Mr. Dabisie has transitioned from a life of extreme vulnerability to one of economic independence and leadership in the Old Mosongo community. Mr. Dabisie is a 47-year-old man with four children and no wife who was struggling to survive as a sporadic farm laborer, often earning barely enough to provide a single meal for his family. With support, he ventured into farming for himself, starting with half an acre of potatoes and groundnuts, which yielded enough for him to reinvest in the next farming season.

Mr. Dabisie is now able to meet his family’s basic needs and pay school fees for his children. He also reports that one of the goats given to him through the Income Generation goat loan project has recently given birth. Beyond his own farm, he has become an advocate for modern farming techniques, sharing his knowledge with other men in Old Mosongo.

Thank you!

Women in Birini have taken a practical step toward strengthening their economic activities through the launch of a community tontine initiative. Tontines are informal savings and credit associations in Togo. The Transformational Community Development (TCD) Income Generation Committee established the Birini tontine to support women’s financial participation and cooperation. The initiative focuses on creating savings accounts, mobilizing funds for women’s economic activities, promoting mutual support among members, and improving household living conditions. Financial management training was also provided to participants.

The tontine has begun supporting women’s economic activities and strengthening solidarity within the group. Activities will continue to reinforce financial management and economic resilience among members.

Thank you! 

The Transformational Community Development (TCD) program conducted assessments in two villages experiencing severe water shortages in the Atakpamé region: Kantche (33 km from Notsé) and Akaké (12 km from Notsé). Several visits were made to meet with the village chiefs and establish TCD committees in both communities. During the reporting period, the team met with the Water Committee to provide training and guidance on their roles and responsibilities.

The Peulh community, which is also affected by the water shortage, was consulted during the visits. The next expected step is the drilling of boreholes to improve access to water in these communities.

Thank you! 

Community leaders in Tchataoude are beginning to take ownership of their development process following an introductory engagement with the Transformational Community Development (TCD) program. The TCD champion visited the chief of Tchataoude and his cabinet members to present the objectives and approach of the TCD program. The discussion focused on community-led development and local responsibility.

At the end of the meeting, the chief acknowledged that community members themselves are the main drivers of their development. The next step is to organize a general community meeting to share this understanding with all residents.

Thank you!