©AfreePress-(Lomé, 11/2/2021)- In the presence of the representative of the Ministry in charge of fisheries, the Mayor and other authorities of the Communes of the Lakes 3, the national director of Compassion International Togo, traditional leaders and dozens of other guests, the activities of the fishermen’s cooperative called « Société Coopérative Simplifiée la Vérité » of kpémé were officially launched on Wednesday November 03, 2021. This cooperative, created in April 2021, brings together parents of children benefiting from Compassion International’s development program. Its implementation was imposed by the observation of precariousness of many parents and guardians, due to lack of work tools, most of them being fishermen.
Compassion International Togo has therefore intervened by financing the acquisition of fishing equipment with more than 17 million CFA francs. This equipment includes motorized canoes, 14 fishing nets, compasses, a fridge and a warehouse, all for just over 25 million CFA francs, 30% of which comes from local contributions.
In launching the activities, the National Director of Compassion Togo did not hide his pride in seeing this project succeed for the happiness of the beneficiaries.
« Compassion International’s mission is to deliver children from poverty in the name of Jesus. It is impossible to achieve this goal without ensuring a certain self-sufficiency for the parents and guardians of the children we accompany. Through this project, we want to ensure that your living conditions are improved. If this is the case, we are sure that the impact on children will be very positive. « suggested Koffi AHONON, National Director of Compassion International Togo.
The “Société Coopérative Simplifiée la Vérité” of Kpémé directly brings together 64 parents, 14 of whom are fishermen experienced in the task. Jobless for some time ago, they are regaining activity trought this project. It is therefore a feeling of joy and pride that animates them when they put one of the canoes in the water for the first time.
« Thanks to the income from the cooperative’s activities, we will be able to take care of ourselves from now on and especially pay for our children’s schooling, their supplies and take care of the family, » said Marius DAGBA, president of Kpémé fishermen’s cooperative.
On the side of the authorities, whether it is the Ministry in charge of fisheries or the Town Hall of Lakes 3, they welcome the gesture of Compassion International through this project which contributes to the consolidation of the social development advocated by axis 3 of the National Development Plan.
« The initiative carried by Compassion International, which I welcome at its true value, is therefore timely in that it will allow the beneficiaries of the Cooperative set up to work with more efficient fishing tools and thus to hope for larger catches” greeted Rabi SAMARI, representing the Minister in charge of fisheries.
It should be noted that Compassion International Togo works in the field of holistic child development. To date, a total of more than 73,000 children and young people are cared for through 294 partner churches throughout the national territory.
