December, a particularly festive month, a month of sharing, traditions, renewal, and rebirth, was fully experienced as such at the Kpalimé center. Indeed, during this month, the center was not lacking in visits accompanied by gifts. Cheerfulness, the joy of reunions, a life of fellowship, and a family life full of emotions were the hallmarks of this month. The committees demonstrated their expertise, social skills, and ability to take action. Spontaneity, innovation, and a sense of unity around priorities proved that a well-coached team can achieve great and meaningful things. This allowed the children, youth, and guests to have wonderful moments together.
School life was managed accordingly through a specific program following an emergency meeting under the responsibility of the Education and Discipline Committee and the Results Committee.
SPES TOGO is taking appropriate measures for the placement of young leaders during the appreciation phase. The young Amen and Dove are at the end of their probationary period. Discussions have been initiated for the signing of their contracts in January.
The mothers received very practical training on managing cases of enuresis from the psychologist.
The weather is nice thanks to the rains that occurred this month.
Schooling section
Arrangements have been made to enable the children at the center to focus more on their work. However, it is often necessary to provide close follow-up to gain their commitment. Some are motivated on their own, while others require more effort in monitoring.
The first-term exams for middle school students took place from December 16 to 22. For secondary 2 students, in-class assignments for the first semester will continue during the first week after the holiday break.
A special program was developed under the oversight of the two closely linked committees (Education, Discipline, and Results). The children benefited from the support of their older peers who had stayed at the center for the end-of-year holidays.
Little boys require a lot of attention, and it must be admitted that a more thoughtful and motivating program needs to be developed to get them to work. Following their failure in the first term, an emergency meeting was called to understand the situation and respond accordingly.
According to the intervention and especially the explanation of Mr. WANA, it is a general problem.
Coloring activities continue with the little girls. These moments are always fulfilling, sometimes with the participation of a few teenage girls. The administration will make arrangements to extend this to the boys’ dormitory. Overall, there is progress in writing, reading, and arithmetic.
The in-class assignments organized for high school students will continue in the first weeks of the next school term. Secondary 2 students of the second cycle took their exams from December 16 to 22, 2025.
The ‘Book Hour’ project, launched on November 24, 2025, is slowly progressing.
Learning section
The young apprentices in the farewell phase will soon be released.
Young people outside the center
During their stay, a group meeting took place with everyone. And some had individual interviews with the director at their request. The issue observed is related to the management of their monthly allowance.
Almost all the young people received their December allowance in cash. Those who were not present at the celebration received theirs via Tmoney or Flooz.
Health
There has been a lull in children’s illnesses. However, taking advantage of the Christmas holidays, some of them needed specific consultations, particularly in dermatology and gynecology. The gynecological examinations reveal no issues. These consultations are reassuring regarding the children’s health.
Visits
The SPES KPALIME center welcomed visitors and received both in-kind and cash donations. Some of these visitors, also working in the field of child protection, aim to establish a partnership with SPES by providing their socio-educational, sports, and recreational support. One visitor and donor promised to raise awareness of SPES for better global visibility. This was warmly welcomed as it aligns with one of the objectives of the 2026 action plan. He will be put in contact with the Board of SPES TOGO to discuss the necessary contributions. He assured that his support is voluntary, to be considered as his participation in caring for the children. This is an asset for mobilizing local funds, for example through local sponsorship.
The center expresses its recognition and gratitude to everyone.
Other news
The management staff held several extraordinary meetings this month, mainly focused on preparations for the Christmas and New Year celebrations. The regular December meeting was not possible. Two extraordinary meetings concerning childcare were held. The first involved the members of the results committee regarding irregularities related to reading groups and book time. The second was an emergency meeting following the poor academic performance of the young boys. Efforts to have the children take naps are gradually progressing.
On December 11 and 12, 2025, a training session was held on the management of primary and secondary enuresis cases observed in certain children and adolescents at the center. This training was conducted in two waves depending on the rotation of the mothers. The concerned children and adolescents are receiving care. Some participated, while others did not because this month the psychologist only stayed for one week instead of two.
The educational team of the management holds its weekly planning meetings every Friday.
On Sunday, December 21, the early Christmas celebration for the children of SPES KPALIME took place. A large delegation of members from the SPES TOGO Board of Directors joyfully shared these unforgettable moments with the children and the caregiving staff. Donors, traditional authorities, school principals, former colleagues of SPES Kpalimé, and other guests also participated in this event. Leading up to it, everyone gave their best. The psychologist made an overnight trip to ensure the activities, supported by Elysé BRUCE. Everyone enjoyed the children’s performances in choreography, skits, and poems. The atmosphere was friendly.
On December 25th, the children, the young people who had left the center, the mothers, and the director continued the celebration at the Monument Square in Kpalimé in the afternoon. In pouring rain, the young people had a lot of fun while the little ones took shelter with their mothers and the director under the shed at the LK company station not far from Monument Square. The celebration was wonderful!
Gardening and farming
The vegetable garden project activities at the center are proceeding normally. The organic chicken farming project has resumed in a professional manner. The team is trying to expand this activity to include goat farming.
The garden:
The garden is a source of pride for the center due to its diversity and beauty.
The lettuce, Adémè, spinach, and beet vegetables have been of great use in feeding the children this month of December. Some plants are still in the beds for future consumption. The six (06) beds of Adémè (Corète) are being harvested. New seeds are being planted in beds by the gardener. The cabbages have not yet formed heads. The gardener is currently on a two-week leave. However, he comes to the Center in the mornings and evenings to water the flowers and vegetables.
Breeding:
The three-person team from the ‘Projects and Donations Committee’ in charge of livestock is making efforts to achieve its goals. Currently, all 50 purchased chicks are alive and healthy. They have reached one month of age and are developing very well, which makes one eager to place another order soon. Unfortunately, it is advised that these birds reach maturity first (at least two months). Nevertheless, the committee is considering the possibility of finding plywood to make a partition. This will allow them not to wait two months to place the next order. The team is looking for four goats (three females and one male). They had not been able to place the order due to the surge in prices at farms approaching the holiday season.
Weather
The city of Kpalimé has been showered with several rains this December. The heat is more bearable thanks to these rains. The landscape is beautiful.
Done in Kpalimé, on January 9, 2026
