Information about Togo

The capital city of Togo is Lome, and this is the city in which Julia and I will serve. The Africa Mercy arrived in Lome the week before last. Mercy Ships volunteers have begun their pre-screening processes, and they have begun serving the citizens of Togo.

Togo is a very small country, long and slender, in West Africa. It is sandwiched between Ghana to the West and Benin to the East. It was under French Colonial rule until 1967 when it gained independence and Eyadema became its President. There is an area in Northern Togo which has gained status as a World Heritage Site because of its unique and interesting residential and farming structures, which are quite beautiful.

Unfortunately, for many British, Dutch, and French Colonies, there was a price to be paid for independence-sometimes in the form of dictatorial rule and/or economical struggle for the citizens of the former colonies. Certainly, the Togolese have suffered some of both. There is a Presidential election looming in 2010.

The Lome area of Togo is quite warm, but this is tempered by ocean breezes to the south and a lagoon to the north. The rainy season extends from April through July.