After a cultural week that led to the Easter holidays, the children had good moments of relaxation and various activities in the company of their elders who were present. Parfait DEGBOE and Freddy GBETO are very close to their brothers and sisters. They lend a helping hand to the various actions planned and carried out by the center.
On Monday, April 13, classes resumed and the third term of the 2025-2026 academic year began. At this resumption, the first-year and final-year students once again took mock exams, with the final-year exam being regional. The papers are sent to Lomé for grading.
The young hairdressing boss who signed an employment contract with a hair salon continues her work. Her work is so appreciated that her employer would like to entrust her with the management of this workshop. A meeting is planned to discuss it. The young hairdressing boss works independently. She will join her family in Lomé for a while but will return to settle in Kpalimé. It must be admitted, she is very skilled in her field and ambitious, which is very encouraging. She does not lack clients.
The families of the other two guardians are being contacted for the resumption of parental authority. The withdrawal of their diploma certificate is ongoing, along with the obtaining of other documents.
The SPES Togo accountant, on mission in April, began her collective and individualized support in managing basic accounting with two youths. The third was unable to make himself available. According to the accountant, this young person lacks motivation. The other two appreciated the support they received and would like to continue these basic accounting training sessions.
The accountant had working sessions with the project and donations committee for an effective and efficient management of the cash inflows and outflows. The head of this committee is very committed, and its members are very motivated.
Tutoring classes have resumed after these long periods of rest. The introductory program to family dialogue in French continues. Some children are making efforts to join in the dance, others are indifferent. On the other hand, it is beautiful to see the little ones practicing and playing the role of translators and interpreters for each other in this dynamic. The library is busy during the week; intentionally, some go there on their own.
The follow-up of young people in families continues in the municipality of Kpalimé, as does the writing of reports for this follow-up.
In the process of encouraging children and adolescents to dream big and think about a better and glorious future, the 2026 action plan has planned actions to impact the lives of children through the presentation of inspiring role models. The first meeting took place on April 24, 2026, with the guidance counselor from the orientation service.
For better care of all children, two teams were formed for the preparation of IDPs (Individual Development Plans). The psychologist was the resource person. Preliminary work made it possible to identify urgent cases. Nine children have had their development plans prepared to date.
From now on, the overall educational program has been updated for its implementation.
The six candidates for the BEPC benefited from a collective session on School and Professional Orientation, and some of them had individual interviews in this regard.
The garden and livestock are progressing overall. Out of the 150 chicks received, 6 have died. The goat and the billy goat are developing very well; they are part of the life of the center. They move around naturally and have developed a special bond with a cook. The local hens and rooster roam in the courtyard of the center. This is encouraging for increasing females both in poultry and livestock.
As part of improving the quality of work, management made contact with the labor inspector, the departmental director of social affairs for the renewal of staff representatives, and the initiation of investigations for the recruitment of new children.
The psychologist and the accountant carried out their monthly duties. The psychologist stayed for three weeks and provided support in the implementation of certain activities of the 2026 Action Plan. She remains a key person in the care of the children. She was asked to conduct a thorough analysis of the primary school children’s academic results in order to detect intellectual abilities early. Actions will be taken in this regard to support all children in general according to the difficulties identified, but especially those who can progress normally in order to prevent losing them in the middle of their school education.
The psychologist and the accountant joined the female staff team of SPES Kpalimé during an extraordinary meeting to divide the girls of the center among themselves. This action is part of the continuation of the commitments of March 8, celebrated on March 9 at the center. In the draw, each woman selected two female children. Each is required to provide mentoring support. A meeting will be scheduled for the official introduction of the children to their mentor and to explain the educational significance of this initiative.
The refurbishment work continues.
The young chili seedlings that have been transplanted are already flowering. The vegetables from Adémé, gboma, and spinach are being used by the health and catering committee for the nutrition of the center.
The city of Kpalimé is in the heavy rainy season. Unfortunately, the weather is hot.
SCHOOLING SECTION
The results of the second trimester for middle school students are pending. End-of-year exams at various levels will begin soon. The first part of the Baccalaureate exam (BACI) will take place from May 18 to 22 with written tests throughout the national territory.
The cultural week went well from March 30 to April 4, 2026, thanks to the measures taken and the commitment of all staff at all levels.
The book hour has come back to life for all the children.
LEARNING SECTION
All apprentices and young people in vocational training are doing well.
Three young residents living at the center will go back to their families at the end of this month. A discharge document is signed between the young person and SPES; this document certifies the young person’s definitive departure from the center.
YOUNG PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE CENTER
All young students, pupils, and apprentices in Lomé and Kpalimé are doing very well. All have received their allowances for the month of April 2026. A schedule has been prepared to continue follow-up in the families of young people in the communes of Kloto 1 and Kloto 3.
The younger ones benefit from visits from the elders for short stays. This is appreciated by the staff and the children, even though they find that they work a lot when the elders are there.
HEALTH SECTION
For this month, the center recorded some cases of illness, headaches, malaria, colds, and coughs. A young person was hospitalized for three days due to swelling of his eyes. The diagnosis revealed orbital cellulitis. He is doing well today. Everything is fine for him.
For most of the children, especially the little girls whose colds persist, the midwife speaks of a respiratory infection, and hygiene measures are necessary.
The midwife trained the adolescent girls on the consequences and impacts of early sexual activity in young girls.
VISITS
The SPES KPALIME center generally receives visitors and donors. But the visits in April 2026 are exceptional. The center was honored by the visit of the President of SPES International on Wednesday, April 15. On the same day, a delegation from the FOA group, which included the members of the SPES TOGO Board of Directors, visited. Grandma Françoise DEMEIDEROS was part of this delegation. Her testimony with SPES-TOGO was a discovery for some and for others brought memories to the surface, touching memories.
The President of SPES International spoke about the evolution of work alongside children, associations, and how she came to the presidency. With her pilgrim’s staff, she continues to work for the sustainability of the work of SPES-International and SPES-TOGO through all SPES associations.
A final meeting, this time a working one between the President of SPES International and some members of the SPES-Togo Board of Directors, took place on April 19 at the Kpalimé center. On this occasion, there was a formal presentation of an envelope containing two hundred thousand six hundred francs and one thousand Naira in favor of the children by the FOA group visiting the orphanage on April 15, 2026.
Before the start of the work funded in the first quarter for renovations, Mr. TCHINI met with all the craftsmen collectively for a site visit. This visit was interspersed with discussions, observations, and proposals from everyone. Then, an individual meeting took place to renegotiate the estimates. This occurred on April 2, 2026. He was accompanied by two young architects who provided their expertise. This visit was beneficial for saving money on certain items.
The center received funds from the godfathers and godmothers of Austria through the president of SPES International, Mrs. Dominique, for 12 sponsored children. It should be noted that a distribution was made so that the other children who do not have their godfather and godmother from Austria could also benefit. Our full gratitude to SPES Austria.
A few parents and donors came to provide their support for the needs of the children.
On April 29, 2026, a delegation of students from the Saint Esprit Polytechnic School in Kpalimé, led by the Chaplain and a nun, visited the children. They brought some food and non-food items for the children. These donations are the result of their Lenten efforts.
Other news
The management staff held its regular meeting on Thursday, April 30, preceded by other extraordinary meetings. The items listed on the draft agenda focused on the renewal of staff delegates (candidacies and election date); the recruitment of new children (social surveys), the reception of interns from May 4 to 6, 2026, the implementation of developed IDPs, the continued development of new IDPs, and various preparations (immediate organization of the May 1, 2026 celebration) and the French language initiative (staff engagement).
The management regrets the lack of commitment to the goal of encouraging children to express themselves in Togo’s official language, which is French. It was decided that the three committees (Education-Discipline, Catering-Health, and Results) directly concerned with achieving this goal should meet to find appropriate solutions. The problem of vehicle parking in front of the building was raised, as it disturbs the residents’ peace, especially at night. During this meeting, the code of conduct was approved by all staff, following prior work by an ad hoc team.
Following the incident with the generator on March 19, it was noticed that the coil is damaged. Dismantled by the rewinder, it is in the process of being rewound. It should be noted that this affects the children’s studies despite the existence of floor lamps placed in the corners and nooks of the house.
Indeed, the floor lamps are not installed in the study rooms. As a result, tutoring sessions are disrupted. The outages are incessant, daily, and untimely.
The generator has aged according to the information. It alone consumes the funds allocated to the house maintenance budget.
Carpentry, painting, and plumbing work are underway.
The educational team of the management held its weekly planning meetings. They are making efforts so that this takes place every Friday rather than every Monday.
Garden and breeding
The vegetable garden and livestock activities continue despite the season which already seems difficult.
The garden:
The new plots are sprinkled with Adémé seeds and young Gboma plants have been transplanted. The peppers are already flowering; some vegetables are not yet mature. The garden has lost some of its beauty. The sun is not kind to it, nor is the heat, which is suffocating.
The plot surveyed for cultivation is being utilized with the planting of maize, yams, a few cocoa trees, and banana plants.
The young student at the Agricultural Training Institute of Tové is very dynamic in carrying out the said project. He comes in every month to help the gardener.
Breeding:
The one hundred and fifty (150) chicks have been reduced to 144 following the death of six. They are now over a month old. The others are developing very well. They receive the necessary care and the ration they need according to their growth.
As for the animals, they have adapted to their new environment. Experience shows that a supplement of one male and a few females is needed. They are free to move around, which contributes to their rapid growth. They feed naturally in the yard and in the orchard. The commission in charge is highly motivated and committed. After the team’s meeting with the accountant, a record book for tracking income and managing funds has been established for better traceability.
Weather
In April, the city of Kpalimé experienced average but irregular rainfall. The climate is described as humid and hot. Currently, the farmers have started sowing.
Done in Kpalimé, on April 13, 2026
The Director
Essoham PALANGA
