First Group of Students to Complete Coursework Celebrate at the Togo Gathering Place

144 Documents of Recognition were awarded to young adults from the Lomé Togo Agoè Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday, September 7, 2024. These are the first awarded by The Gathering Place in Agoè, and the event marks the completion of more than six months of training in various skill areas.

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The Gathering Place, a program instituted by the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is organized and operated by individual stakes across West Africa. Open to young adults of any faith, and free of charge. The program offers classes taught by qualified professionals who provide technical and vocational training for the purpose of helping participants become self-reliant. The Lomé Togo Agoè Stake Gathering Place was launched on January 27, 2024. More than ten skill courses were taught by volunteer instructors over a period of seven months. Among the courses offered were high fashion, computer maintenance, women’s tailoring, satellite dish installation, illustration and graphic design, bead making, cosmetics production, ankara and batik design and pastry and cooking. The program also provides religious instruction through Institute and BYU Pathway.

Participants in the program were excited to complete their instruction and expressed gratitude for what The Gathering Place provided them. Josephine Kpomegbe, a 22 year old who has been in the Church three years and completed batik and cosmetics classes, said the Gathering Place has helped her as she makes plans to serve a mission.

"The Gather Place has helped me to feel okay among people, to make new friends, and to communicate fluently with everyone," she said.

Alma Ahokpe, a 19 year old who is studying law and took the cuisine class, had this advice for others: "Come and learn something even if you’re not a member of the Church. Come and learn to do something with your hands." All participants were enthusiastic and grateful for what the program provided.        

Also attending the event was Mrs. Lamega Anastasie, communication officer of the Union of Regional Chambers of Trades of Togo (UCRM), which is an organization in Togo that represents and supports regional chambers of trades and crafts. Its primary role is to promote and advocate for the interests of artisans and small business owners across the country by providing resources, training, and support to local craftsmen and entrepreneurs.  Impressed by what she witnessed at The Gathering Place, Madame Lamega expressed great interest in partnering with the Church to help young adult participants earn professionally recognized certificates and professional cards upon completion of their Gathering Place training.

President Komlan Emmanuel Amehouenou, president of the Lomé Togo Agoè Stake which sponsors The Gathering Place in Agoè, noted that the program has additional benefits and influence beyond vocational skills. Speaking about the youth that participate, he said, "their attitude toward life has changed: they come early to church on Sundays, pay their fast offering, and magnify their calls. Their behaviour and their life have completely changed. I realized that the gathering place is a place to help the YAs to be much closer to our Savior Jesus Christ." 

Elder Céra Semedo, Benin Cotonou coordinating council YSA Missionary, offered his testimony. "We know this program has the power to change lives because we have seen the young people grow in faith. Two instructors resumed their [Church] activities after accepting to train the young people at The Gathering Place. One instructor got married a few months after accepting to teach at the Gathering Place . . . These are testimonies that show that this program strengthens their faith, prepares them to qualify for good employment, and leads them toward self-reliance, meeting their spouses and eventually being sealed in the Temple."