VISAGES DU TOGO
- Gabriel Grela Mesa
- Apr 11, 2021
- 6 min read
Technical and Analytical Skills: Data Collection and Analysis, Diagnostic and Needs Assessment.
Project Management and Coordination: Project Planning, Budgeting, and Implementation, Donor Relations and Fundraising.
Team and Leadership Skills: Promote Teamwork, Leadership and Decision-Making.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Stakeholder Engagement, Cross-Cultural Competence.
Strategic and Operational Skills: Strategic Planning, Resource Mobilization.
Technical and Digital Skills: Digital Literacy.
Innovation and Adaptability: Creative Problem-Solving, Adaptability and Resilience.
School Background
The Vivenda School, established in September 1995 in Lomé’s populous Bè district, is a state-authorized institution founded by Pastor ETIKO Têtê Kokouvi, a dedicated advocate for specialized education for deaf students since 1982. The school serves as a vital resource for deaf children, offering them access to education in a supportive environment. However, the school’s current sanitary facilities pose significant challenges. The latrines, consisting of three cabins and a shower, are in poor condition and lack urinals, making proper hygiene difficult to maintain. Additionally, the well, used for cleaning the facilities, is shallow and located far from the latrines, creating a strenuous task for the young students, many of whom are between 5 and 8 years old.
To address these issues and improve the overall hygiene and well-being of the students, the school requires several upgrades: the drilling of a modern drinking water well on-site, the installation of modern sanitary facilities, and the completion of tiling for the cabins. These improvements will not only alleviate the burden on the children but also ensure a healthier and more conducive learning environment for all.
First steps
Mr. Ernest Dagbovie, a respected member of the British School of Lomé, played a pivotal role in the process by bringing together the first two key stakeholders: the school and the artist, Gabriel Grela Mesa.
After identifying the needs of the Vivenda School, the artist proposed an art-based project to the French Institute of Togo. The proposal included an exhibition, an auction, and the donation of all proceeds from the auction to the school. The cultural attaché recommended collaborating with Negrillis Art Gallery, a growing creative space with established ties to the French Institute.
The exhibition featured the creation of ten portrait paintings, each measuring 60cm x 75cm, depicting men and women from various regions of Togo. To bring this vision to life, the artist traveled throughout Lomé to find volunteers willing to be photographed for the portraits.
This project not only demonstrated the power of art to drive social change but also emphasized the importance of education and accessibility in empowering communities.
Multimedia Creation
After photographing all the volunteers, we collaborated with Vueduciel Empire Production to create an audiovisual record, which was shared across various platforms and community groups. This production included statements from the school’s director, firsthand accounts from students, and a spotlight on the conditions of the latrines at Vivenda School. The children’s comments, translated by an interpreter, offered a heartfelt glimpse into their daily lives and challenges. This visual documentation became a powerful tool to raise awareness about the school’s needs and the importance of supporting its mission to provide quality education for deaf children.
The multimedia approach not only captured the artistic journey but also engaged a broader audience, amplifying the project’s reach and impact. The entire process, from taking the initial photographs to completing the final paintings, spanned 10 months, reflecting the dedication and care invested in each piece. This documentation not only highlighted the cultural significance of the project but also underscored its profound impact on the volunteers and the community at large.
COVID 19 Pandemic
Because of the pandemic caused by the CORONAVIRUS in March 2020, we had to suspend the exhibition/auction that was planned for May 2020.
As the months passed and the health situation did not improve in the world and in Togo, we discussed the possibility of having a pre-launch of the Visages du Togo exhibition during the event entitled La Nuit des Idées. This event takes place every year, in every French Institute around the world.
We agreed with the person in charge of the cultural agenda of the French Institute, Mr. AZILAR Venunyé, that I (author) would not receive any compensation for participating in the event, I would donate to the school the amount I would receive as payment for participating in the La Nuit des Idées event.
The Night of Ideas, an annual event hosted by the French Institute of Togo, invites participants to explore groundbreaking ideas, engage in meaningful debates, and reflect on the pressing issues of our time. Following themes like "A Common World" (2017), "Imagination in Power" (2018), "Facing the Present: Imminent Impossibilities" (2019), and "Being Alive" (2020), the 2021 edition centered on the theme "Close?"—a thought-provoking exploration of human relationships, proximity, solidarity, and social dynamics in a city like Lomé.
The evening featured a rich program, including a captivating welcome by Afuma Orara’s stilt walkers, a philosophical dialogue led by Kossi Efoui accompanied by percussionist Dodji Efoui, and the screening of Exodus by Atomik Corporation, a short film addressing illegal immigration. Attendees also enjoyed a theatrical reading of "Il pleut des humains sur nos pavés" by Sèdjro Giovanni Houansou, inspired by Lomé’s Katanga neighborhood, and a presentation by architect Sonya Akedjo Tomegah on her vision for an inclusive African city. The event showcased "Faces of Togo", an exhibition by Gabriel Grela Mesa featuring ten portraits of young Togolese, alongside a social experiment by Menteur Ambulant and a vibrant concert by Fofo Skarfo. This diverse program celebrated creativity, critical thinking, and the power of ideas to bring people closer together.
Radio Interview
The day before the exhibition opening, the artist was invited to a radio interview with Groupe Média PYRAMIDE, one of Togo’s most prominent local radio stations. During the interview, he shared his background, the inspiration behind Visages du Togo, and the project’s primary objective: to support Vivenda School by raising funds through art. This opportunity allowed the artist to connect with the Togolese audience, spreading awareness about the initiative and its mission to improve the lives of the school’s students.
The Exhibition and the Auction
Following strict sanitary protocols, we carefully curated a small guest list, inviting individuals who were potential buyers of the paintings. Our goal was to ensure that the limited number of attendees would contribute significantly by purchasing at least one artwork each, thereby covering the budget required to rebuild the school’s bathrooms. This targeted approach allowed us to maximize the impact of the event while adhering to health guidelines, ensuring both safety and success in supporting the school’s urgent needs.
During the opening night of the exhibition, reproductions of the portraits were offered as postcards, providing an accessible way for attendees to support the cause. This initiative was designed to include those who wished to contribute but were unable to purchase an original painting. By offering these keepsakes, we expanded the opportunity for more people to engage with the project and contribute to the fundraising efforts for Vivenda School.
The exhibition successfully achieved its fundraising goal through a combination of individual and collective support. During the opening night, four paintings were sold, with one case involving two people joining forces to purchase a piece. In the following week, another painting was sold to a visitor, and the remaining five works were acquired by the gallery itself. This collective effort ensured that the total budget needed to rebuild the school’s bathrooms was fully met, marking a significant milestone in the project’s mission to support the Vivenda School.
The day after the exhibition’s inauguration, the artist hosted Carnet Artistique, a collective of independent communicators dedicated to promoting and democratizing art and culture in Togo, for a question-and-answer session at my home. This engaging discussion provided deeper insights into the "Visages du Togo" project, its objectives, and its impact, further amplifying the initiative’s reach and fostering meaningful dialogue about the role of art in driving social change.
The Results
This achievement is the culmination of over a year of dedication and collaboration, overcoming challenges posed by the pandemic to bring the project to life. Despite moments when the goal seemed out of reach, the collective effort of everyone involved made it possible. Thanks to this initiative, current and future generations of children at the Vivenda School will benefit from fully renovated facilities tailored to their needs, creating a safer and more supportive environment for their education and growth.
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