Lomé September 15, 2008

I was lucky to visit some of the communities where Red Cross volunteers live and work before leaving Togo.

Villagers played music for us and prepared delicious meals consisting of African cuscus, chicken and palm wine. Their generosity made a very strong impression on me; they have so little and yet were ready to share it all with us. We ate abundantly; it would have been unacceptable for us to refuse the delicacies made by the women of the community with such care and effort.

In Koloware, central Togo, I had a wonderful time eating delicious food, singing songs, and even received an unexpected yet much honoured marriage proposal (unfortunately I had to decline).

In the community of Evou Apégamé, in the region of Plateaux, the religious leader asked me to remember him and his village, while holding my hand tightly and looking firmly into my eyes. These are moments that become unforgettable memories.

Lomé, September 12, 2008

My days in Togo are coming to an end. A few weeks from now my mission will be over and I will travel back to Canada. I have a mixture of feelings about this.

On one hand, I am glad to go back and see all the people that I love and miss. On the other hand, it is going to be sad to say goodbye to the people that I have learned to love here, such as my friend and colleague Dr Battah, the Togolese Red Cross doctor with whom I have worked throughout the last five months.

During my last visit to the field, while traveling across the regions of Togo and contemplating the beauty of its green valleys and mountains, I said farewell to all the wonderful people I have met here. In my mind and heart, I wished the Togolese a prosperous and better future.
This mission has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life, both personally and professionally. I am grateful to have had the chance to know this country and live here during five months of my life. This chapter is coming to an end and a new adventure announces itself. Beginnings and ends, this is the cycle of life on earth.