From her arrival until she was 14 years old

Children from vulnerable background live in SPES centers in Lomé and Kpalimé until they turn 14 years old. The aim is to provide children in need with a family environment in which they can grow up safely and, to the extent possible, with their siblings. The young children live entirely in the SPES centers and are cared for by “mamans” (caregivers). Two "mamans" are responsible for a group of 10-15 children.

The SPES centers take in children from as early as birth. After the approval of a family judge, the Togolese Youth Welfare Office entrusts these children to SPES. All children placed in the care of SPES were in social and psychological distress, and some are orphans.

Many of the children have no proof of nationality. In order to safeguard their future, SPES takes the necessary steps with the Togolese authorities to acquire documentation of citizenship. Without written evidence, this can be a difficult undertaking.

As soon as the children are three years old, they attend a Kindergarten, with a focus on developmental and educational attainment. Schooling is only compulsory in Togo for children over the age of six. From that age, children attend governmental elementary schools near their centers. With 40 to 100 pupils per class, classes are heavily overcrowded. From age 11, children go to governmental grammar schools. To support learning, we have set up learning centres and libraries in the centers, with the help of SPES-Austria.