31%
Of children in rural areas do not have a birth certificate
Children’s rights
Children who are not registered at birth cannot access basic rights and services. This particularly affects girls who cannot attend school or take their end of year primary exams. Togo’s birth registration rate is as low as 78% and 31% of children who live in rural areas like Atakpamé do not have a birth certificate.
Life for children can be difficult, as the government offers no legal protection against child abuse. The mistreatment of children and gender-based violence are widespread in school and at home. Although violence against children under 15 is considered a crime, it often goes unpunished. Therefore, the promotion of a culture of zero tolerance for sexual and child abuse is very important.
40%
Of people in the region have access to drinking water
Water scarcity
In the rural Plateaux region, only around 40% of the population has access to drinking water. People must walk some distance to get to the water source. Women and children in particular suffer when fetching water in large buckets many kilometres away from home. The water people drink, usually from nearby rivers or wells, is dirty and often carries diseases like Hepatitis A and B and Typhoid fever. These diseases also affect children’s school attendance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the promotion of public hygiene and clean water became more urgent.
Your support makes a difference for children in Atakpamé
SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities to offer a wide range of support that is adapted to the local context. We always work in the best interest of the children, young people and families.
Are supported in the community
6,070
Children and young people
Learn at our kindergartens and schools
50
Children and young people
Grow up in our care
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Children in our care playing a game together. Siblings grow up together and often form bonds that last a lifetime (photo: SOS Children’s Villages in Togo).
How your support helps in Atakpamé
Strengthening vulnerable families and communities
When parents face hardships, they can sometimes struggle to give children the care they need. SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities. Each family needs different support so that they can stay together. This support can include workshops on parenting and children’s rights. We also run trainings so that parents can get the skills they need to get a job or start businesses. Likewise, we ensure that children can get medical help and go to school.
Providing quality education
SOS Children’s Villages ensures that children and young people have access to high-quality education. We help them learn and develop in a safe and supportive environment. We train teachers on children’s rights and child-centered learning, so that each child can get the most out of their education. Young children spend time playing and learning at kindergarten. This prepares them for primary school.
Providing medical care
In areas with limited health services, SOS Children’s Villages provides medical advice and assistance. We offer preventative measures such as medical check-ups and vaccination programmes. Most of the patients who approach us for medical help come from local families, who could otherwise not afford to receive treatment.
Caring for children who cannot live with their families
Some children cannot stay with their families, even with additional support. When this happens, they can find a new home in SOS Children’s Villages. Here the children can build safe and lasting relationships. All the children in our care have access to education and healthcare. Wherever possible, we work closely with the children’s family of origin. If children can return to live with their families, we help them adapt to this change.