Togo Trip Diary - July 2024

Thursday, July 11th - Day 2:

Today was another packed day, starting with a message sent to Merkur about the release of funds. Fingers crossed for a quick response!

My first meeting was with Late Dodzi, Gilles' contact, to discuss the best materials for the new roof. He recommended a sturdy metal structure with twin columns, which seemed practical but came with the caveat of requiring significant excavation if we opted for a concrete and wood design. He proposed an aluminum roof that would provide solid coverage while adhering to the prison's security restrictions. Apparently, it needs to make noise if someone tries to climb it—a detail I hadn't considered before! We also talked about drainage and the possibility of painting the metal columns. Dodzi can't do mosaic work himself, but he knows someone who might, and he'll be sending over some photos of that work.

Next up was a meeting with Jesus, a local artisan with a reputation as a "woodman." He suggested splitting the roof into two sections, using concrete posts to anchor the structure and finishing it off with aluminum sheets. He was eager to start immediately—so much so that he jokingly said he could begin today if we made a down payment!

After weighing my options, I felt a bit more confident about working with Dodzi. He speaks some English and already knows Gilles, which made the discussion smoother. We managed to go through the entire construction plan in detail and agreed on the essentials. However, Jesus has experience working in the prison, which is a definite plus, though communication might be a challenge. I'm leaning towards Dodzi, but I’m still considering meeting a third option tomorrow—Bardo in Lomé. I might also ask Angeles if she has any contacts.

Later in the day, I stopped by a carpenter’s shop to discuss the construction of looms. We went over the measurements, and he’s going to send Anani a quote soon.

I visited Inana’s workshop afterward, where I met a woman who runs a circle for women and also cares for orphaned children. We’ve arranged to do a drawing workshop with them in the future, once everything else settles down. On the way back to Oasis, I ran into Gilles’ aunt. Angeles has also arrived with her sister, so it’s nice to have some familiar faces around the hotel. Unfortunately, she’s heading back to France in a few days, and Nick is still waiting for his test results, so I’m not sure if I’ll see him before I leave.

I managed to post a few Instagram stories before heading out to the spaghetti bar with Anani. Mama Spaghetti sends her love to everyone! We picked up some food for Dedé, one of the weavers, and Fuli, as Sophie is still at the hospital with her mom.

Plan for Tomorrow:

Tomorrow’s agenda is packed with decisions and action points. First on the list is finalizing which contractor we'll go with for the roof and getting a solid agreement in place. Then, it’s time to order the looms, the number depending on the final price. A visit to the prison is also on the cards to sort out any remaining formalities and hold a meeting with Jay Jay. I’ll also be snapping more pictures, uploading them to the drive, and getting some social media posts ready.

Looking forward to another colorful day in Togo!