Dear Friends of Alaffia,
I hope this note finds you in good health. The month of June
is recognized as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT Pride
Month), and celebrates the great diversity and variety of humanity in the
world. As I prepare to head to Togo, I
am thinking that if there is one single thing most characteristic of Alaffia,
it is our diversity. While outside Togo, we are all seen as Togolese, in reality,
Togo has 42 distinct ethnic groups and each of these groups views themselves as
a nation with unique language and culture. Individuals are more likely to
represent their own ethnicity first before expressing themselves as
Togolese. Throughout Africa similar
diversity has led to persecution, ethnic violence, and systematic denial of
economic opportunity for people of ethnicities who are not part of government
or military control. At the foundation of the Alaffia cooperative is the notion
that as diverse as we are in Togo, we can co-exist in peace together. Ten years
later, what was once an idea is now a reality.
In 2003, when I went to Togo to establish the Alaffia
cooperative, I felt our differences should not be a reason for persecution;
instead, they should be seen as assets. With this in mind, I decided to locate
the cooperative in the center of the country in order to be accessible to
ethnic groups from both the south and north of Togo, including the most
disadvantaged group, the Fulani. To this day, my own ethnic group, the Kaboli,
disagree with me for not “putting my own people first.” The fact is my own
group does not experience the same type of discrimination that others do, and
limiting the cooperative to only my own group would not serve the purpose of
empowering those most in need.
Despite the difficulties at the beginning, I continued to
believe we can all coexist if we call ourselves beings with humility and loving
character. Therefore, I forged ahead, and today what we thought was impossible
is blossoming. Every time I walk into
the Alaffia cooperative, it does not feel like a production facility. Instead,
there is a sense in the air of celebration, mutual respect and
collaboration. No one has to give up her
of his religious or traditional beliefs. The only belief we all have in common
is to work and live in peace and with conviction.
While the Alaffia cooperative is a small setting, it
convinces me that we can live in a world where we each maintain our beliefs and
diversities, yet create a peaceful world that is free of persecution for any
reason, be it skin color, religious belief, sexual orientation or any other
difference. To me it is the ability to coexist with differences that makes us
truly human.
It is my hope that the Alaffia setting spreads not only
through the continent of Africa, but the world. As for me, I will continue to
dedicate my life for peace and full human rights for all.
Wishing you a peaceful summer,
Olowo-n’djo Tchala
