The Africa we aren't shown on TV
A Peace Corps volunteer raised on images of famine, disease, and war discovers an irresistible resilience in an unexpected place - a hospital in Togo.
By Jean-Marc Gorelick KPALIME, TOGO – "Hello, my name is Jean-Marc. I'll be living here in Togo teaching in schools for the next two years."
I was sitting across from a doctor at a three-story West African hospital. As a recently arrived Peace Corps volunteer, one of my preliminary duties is to go around and introduce myself to the various authorities in this small town in the lush mountains of southwestern Togo.
As expected, the young doctor replied: "Welcome to Togo. We are very happy to have you here. What country are you from?"
"I am from America," I told him, unsure if that would be a good or bad thing to him.
more...
The Africa we aren't shown on TV