Saturday April 14 - Agbessia Togo

First day of work which means the delivery of bed-kits (photo of contents below). Delivered 500 bed kits to the little village of Agbessia. Early start (7:00) and a long but quite "interesting" drive. While driving through Lome at the start it was rush hour mayhem with a 10 to 1 ratio of motorcycles to cars, everybody weaving around potholes in which a nation of pygmies could be lost. Infrastructure is in very rough shape - BUT so it goes , ,   Remember TIA! Once about 20km north of Lome the road narrowed, gained in altitude, and the vegetation came very close to the side of the road. Some coco plants were pointed out to us in a forest right beside the road as well as teak trees (lots), corn, cassava (lots) manioc (lots) as well as stands everywhere with mangos, papaya, pineapple and fresh bread! Upon arrival another wonderful reception by students performing native dance and song. Beautiful. I am somehow living in a National Geographic edition. 

In closing, Togo Team Canada as well as out Togo partner organizers had an absolutely great day. That said, Bill our cook has once again pulled a magic and wonderful set of meals from his tiny and crazy hot kitchen. We decided to give him an extendable floor fan tomorrow. Such a gentleman! He is bringing his wife and 3 year old daughter into visit us at Casa Blanca this evening. I have a  wee gift that I have carried from a neighbour's daughter in Georgetown and will took a picture for her.

Well, after 3 hours in a crowded hot minivan,  4 hours standing in the sun distributing kits I do not feel shy to state that, my associates in the team hit their rooms an hour before having a bite in order to have a much needed shower and a snooze..

Closing thought at end of day?


Kids are kids regardless of where we are - laugh, scream, jump, yell. However our kids are, in general, terribly spoiled.


Our reception entertainment:

Big day for all :-)

Our cook Bill and his wife and daughter with the stuffed bear that my neighbour's child asked me to distribute.