Pathways Togo seeks to build on the successes and spirit of previous efforts to support girls' education in Togo and, in doing so, to bring change to communities everywhere.
Karren Waid
In 1993, a Togo Peace Corps volunteer named Karren Waid died tragically in a bush taxi accident on her way to a Women in Development committee meeting. Shortly after Karren's death, the Chicago Tribune quoted Karren's friend and fellow Peace Corps volunteer Mandi Summers remembering Karren: "She spoke the local language and considered the people in her village part of her family . . . She was compassionate, caring and confident." In honor of Karren's commitment to Togo and her dedication to women's empowerment, Karren's friends and family established a scholarship program which Peace Corps volunteers and Togolese nationals administered for over 15 years without any formal organization or outside support. Karren’s memory continues to inspire Americans and Togolese alike to increase women’s access to opportunities.
Togo Girls' Scholarship Fund
Touched by their experiences living and working in Togo, former Peace Corps Volunteers Kyra Turner-Zogbekor and Laurie Segel-Moss continued their partnership with Togolese national, Kodjo Attisso, to support girls' education from the U.S. Working through a grassroots network of family, friends, community, and faith organizations, since 2004, Kyra and Laurie allowed nearly a hundred Togolese girls pursue their dream of an education.
Pathways Togo
In 2010, Peace Corps volunteers and alumni who have administered the Karren Waid scholarship program joined forces with Kyra and Laurie to create a single organization with the vision and capacity to sustainably promote women's education in Togo.
We hope to increase our impact exponentially as new generations of educated mothers insist on their daughters' staying in school and carving out a path of independence and freedom. In doing so, we strive to emulate Karren's dedication and commitment to Togolese women. We are very grateful to all of those who believed in us and helped to get Pathways Togo to where we are today. Thank You!!!