Insight into project work: Camp Espoir

The past few months, I have had the privilege of working with three other PCVs in organizing a summer camp, Camp Espoir. This summer camp is the result of a partnership between the Peace Corps and nine Togolese nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Each month, these nine NGOs host a Club Espoir meeting for children infected with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS. I attend these Club Espoir meetings each month, and I always have a blast with the kids who attend. We sing songs from camp, play games, and review topics related to education and health. The kids are knowledgeable, curious, and extremely engaged throughout our meetings. The children who attend the monthly Club Espoir meetings at the nine NGOs are previous and future Camp Espoir campers. The knowledge gained by campers at Camp Espoir is carried through to their Club Espoir meetings, and the bonds that the children create at camp form the foundation of a support system for the children in their local communities. As a previous summer camper in my youth, and as a summer camp counselor at Project Morry during college, summer camp holds a place close to my heart. I am so excited to share a few weeks this summer with the children of Camp Espoir.

In order to share Camp Espoir and local Club Espoir activities, another PCV and I have created a website - campespoir.wordpress.com - please feel free to check it out! You may notice a familiar voice when you read some of the Tales from Togo entries!

Two girls and I at a local Club Espoir meeting