First Hand Account from Togo Africa
TAMARA JOHNSTON-MCMAHON: ANTI-BODY CO_FOUNDER
In June 2006, Tamara Johnston-McMahon arrived in Togo Africa to see first-hand if fair trade was
making an impact in the community. The following is her account:
I arrived in Lome, the capital of Togo and was greeted by heat and humidity, a mosquitos paradise. So, I kept up with the Deet and sunblock (SPF 50 for the pigment impaired).
The national language of Togo is French. I speak English. Apparently Americans have the most difficult accent for the Togolese to understand...even harder: my American accent. Every time I opened my mouth and slowly, simply stated a thought, my listener would look to my traveling partner, Paul and say, "now you, please translate." I need to learn French.
My trip was a complete success. After days of researching where Agbanga Karite, the fair trade shea butter co-op is (and fearing that we'd never find it), Paul and I finally found its locale via our " guide", Abraham, who happened on it after a rabbit trail search. If not for Abraham, our trip would have been in vain (and for this we paid Abraham enough money to get a completely new set of teeth, of which he was in desperate need of. He is smiling big).
The women who work at the shea butter factory were very enthused to have us. They took us through the entire process of turning shea nuts into butter. We photographed and filmed the entire process and were able to interview them, including the facility's manager through a translator. After leaving, I was speechless, speechless and proud to know that fair trade really does make a difference. These women, once destitute and dependent, are now making enough money to support their families and live sustainable lives.
In addition to visiting the co-op Anti-body is looking to start its own fair trade business in Togo, extending even more jobs to the Togolese. We explored many options including palm oil, essential oils, even textiles.
The last several days of my trip included meetings with Togo's Ministry of Commerce, pricing materials for building, etc. Now that I am back home my partners and I will start the planning process of writing proposals to receive grants and the attention it requires in order to be a success. We mean to make this happen and I look forward to going back to Togo.
Please check this website for continuous updates on the women of Abunga Karite and the launching of Anti-body's fair trade palm oil business. And thank you, readers, for your interest and support.
