AU COIN DU PRESIDENT

Ruth Fenzi Reeder
FOT Co-President

As we celebrate FOT's 25th anniversary, what better time not only to look back at our beginnings, but also to look forward to the work and challenges ahead. Let us first consider why and where we, as a group, began.

The Organization - FOT, or "Togo Alumni Association" as it was originally named, owes its existence to Kelly Morris ('68-'72). In 1981, while having dinner with a group of fellow RPCV/Togo at The African Room Restaurant in Washington, D.C., Kelly came up with the idea of creating a group associated with Togo. As I waded through FOT archives to check up on this, I came across Kelly's original letter, dated March 11, 1982, inviting the recipient to join the newly created "Togo Alumni Association". I have been told that ours is the first friends group of its kind and inspired the formation of many similar Peace Corps groups. It warmed my heart to discover that the purposes created twenty years ago by that small association, as spelled out in Kelly's letter, have not changed. They were "to provide a means for:

Kelly continues to be an integral part of the organization and is the creator of the list serve, <Togo-L@listserv.aol.com>, a lifeline to FOT's ability to communicate worldwide.

The Newsletter - By May of 1982 the first newsletter appears, bearing the name change to "Friends of Togo/Les Amis du Togo". The two-pager required a mere 20 cent stamp and included a page on "Nos Nouvelles" and encouraged the membership to attend the second reunion scheduled that summer in North Carolina. At the reunion the group voted to send $1,000 to Togo. $700 was earmarked for rural development and $300 for Education, leaving $500 in reserves. At the reunion, Jim Morrill ('73-'76) volunteered his editorial assistance to the newsletter, a position which quickly led him to become the group's president. After a decade of good deeds and hard work Jim and the North Carolina board turned the FOT operation over to Bill Piatt and a D.C. contingent. As part of the D.C. group, I took on the production of the newsletter and seven years later found myself at the helm of the organization along side Christiane Geisler ('77-'80).

Projects - In 1993 Lisa Roberts ('74-'77) became the FOT Project Chair and spent the next eight years developing and refining a process for selecting, tracking and reviewing the many funding requests received annually. For years her reports were painstakingly handwritten in tiny script and the entire board was delighted when she finally converted to a computer! Her work has been the backbone of the organization. In 2000, Lisa turned over her project files to Rick Wagner ('76-'78) thus enabling her to take a well deserved break.

Membership - Over the years FOT has been sending about $10,000 annually to Togo for project funding and scholarships. But without your dues and contributions, this would not be possible. Many of you have been extremely loyal and generous with your contributions, and we sincerely thank you. Since we have not had an official membership drive in over a year, I know many of you would like to participate, but simply need a reminder. So, for an idea of what your money could finance, please review the project list on page 6. Your money is needed to realize these worthy proposals. Of the $25 in dues, $17.60 is tax-deductible, the $2.40 which is not, is set aside for operating costs, which includes printing and mailing expenses. FOT is completely managed by volunteer effort, and over the years many people have given of their time, their energy and their expertise. One such person is Ellen Levin ('82-'85) FOT's faithful secretary, who continues her diligent maintenance of the FOT membership database, a position she has held since 1995.

We need your help, your input, and your ideas to propel FOT forward. Let us make the next twenty years as vibrant as the first, as we strive to expand upon the proposals set forth by that small group of friends gathered to share an African meal.

2001 IN REVIEW

March 28-April 1
FOT hosted Kodjo Djissenou of Togo, the 2001 Reebok Human Rights Award Winner's visit to Washington, D.C. The 24-year old outspoken critic of human rights abuses, was recognized for his time and energy devoted to advocating for children's rights. While in DC he met with Mr. Donald Boy of the State Department's West African Desk and with Peace Corps' Kevin Novotny, Desk Officer, Ghana, Togo, Guinea & Cote d' Ivoire and Djimessa Ayigah, Country Desk Assist., The Togolese Ambassador to the U.S., Kossivi Osseyi. At an Amnesty International/ Alington reception held in his honor, a delegation from the Union of the Togolese in the US (UTUS) commended Kodjo for his fearless efforts to speak out and actively draw attention to these atrocities in Togo.

June 30- July 1
FOT's 20th Anniversary Celebration included a dinner/dance at the Zanzibar in Washington, D.C., followed the next day be a cook out and the annual meeting and elections at a Civil War memorial park in Alexandria, Virginia. Awards were presented to Lisa Roberts for her years devoted to the Project Committee and to Marc Dagbovi, for his ongoing service to the Togolese and volunteers, both in the U.S. and in Togo. On behalf of UTUS, Djimessa Ayigah presented FOT with an impressive plaque, inscribed with "In Appreciation for 20 Years of Assistance to the People of Togo" Though not present, Kelly Morris was celebrated as the "Father of Us All" and recognized as having the idea, twenty years ago, of creating a group that would become the Friends of Togo/Les Amis du Togo.

September 29
After the September 11 attacks, the NPCA 40th Anniversary Celebration and Conference scheduled in Washington, D.C. were greatly abbreviated. Since many of us were experiencing tremendous apprehension, sorrow and fear, we felt it very important to attend the Peace Corps vigil to demonstrate our support for the Peace Corps mission and to stand by the flags of the countries we served. The vigil took place on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial overlooking the Reflecting Pool and the Washington Monument. Many FOTers, spanning 40 years of service and including their parents and children, attended and were joined by a number of Togolese, representing both UTUS and the Togolese Descendants Association (TDA). The group met for dinner afterwards at the Bukom West African Cafe.

2002-2003 FOT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FOT COMMITTEES & LIAISONS:

FOT PROJECT DOCUMENTS: