Long before I knew where Togo was on a globe, I became familiar with it through stories of its language, culture, love, and community, shaped by my family's influence and grace. As I grew older and learned more, I recognized the uniqueness of Togo. This realization motivated me to explore further and learn more. I felt a deep sense of love and belonging for a place I hadn’t yet visited, but felt a connection to. Learning about Togo goes beyond understanding a country and its roots; it also helps me discover my own roots that lie within me.

Togo, officially known as the Togolese Republic, is a narrow country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west and Benin to the east. It stretches southward to the Gulf of Guinea, where its capital, Lomé, is located. With an estimated population of about 8.5 million, Togo is one of the smaller nations in West Africa. The country is home to over 20 ethnic groups, including the Bassari, Kotokoli, Moba, Hausa, and Konkomba. In Togo, French is the official language, with Éwé and Kabyé being the most widely spoken local languages. Although Chicago's Togolese community is small and lacks official population data, its members maintain strong social and cultural ties, preserving their traditions despite being far from home.

In the summer of 1991, Togolese people in Chicago began holding monthly meetings that eventually led to the formation of the ATC (Association of Togolese in Chicagoland) in June 1992. Driven by a desire to meet their social and economic needs, they aimed to build a supportive community while living abroad. ATC is a registered organization in Illinois with 501(c)(3) status. The Association of Togolese in Chicagoland works to support its members by finding ways to provide charitable assistance within the community. It promotes social, cultural, economic, educational, and scientific awareness among its members, while also increasing public understanding of Togo's culture and history through seminars, workshops, and publications. Additionally, the organization combats discrimination against Togolese, advocating for fairness and equality in areas such as immigration, employment, health, social services, and economic development. By fostering understanding, the association unites Togolese and their descendants in Chicagoland and offers support to those facing health, social, financial, or legal hardships.

Christ Commission Church acts as a home base for Togolese in Chicagoland. Located at 8125 S. Cottage Grove Ave on Chicago's South Side, Christ Commission may be small, but it is strong in faith and community. You don't need to be an ATC member to join; many have been part of it for years, while others are relatively new. Besides the initiatives and mission that ATC values, there is also a deep spiritual bond among its members. Christ Commission is considered a spiritual home where people gather to worship. It is not only a safe space but also a shared space for unity, fellowship, and prayer, helping members stay grounded in their faith as they adjust to life in a new country.

Many Togolese natives have relocated to the Chicagoland area to join family members already residing there. Their decision to immigrate to the United States was mainly driven by the desire to be close to relatives who had already moved to Chicago.

Moving to a new country can pose many challenges. For those relocating to the United States, established communities like the ATC helped make it easier to find support and connect with others. However, one of the biggest hurdles was adjusting to the climate. Togo has a tropical climate with a dry season during winter, and the average temperature in Lomé is around 26.6 degrees Celsius (about 80 degrees Fahrenheit).

In contrast, Chicago winters are very cold, snowy, and windy. The average temperature in Chicago during January, the coldest month, is about 27 degrees Fahrenheit. Daily high temperatures usually range from 30 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit during winter, while lows can drop to approximately 22 degrees Fahrenheit in January. This stark difference in climate between Togo and Chicago highlights the major adjustment newcomers must make when moving from a warm, tropical environment to a cold, harsh one. Togo natives have never experienced freezing temperatures like those in Chicago.

One person who faced challenges in adapting was Kofi Viagbo. Togo native Kofi Viagbo is a pastor at Christ Commission Church. Viagbo has lived in the Chicagoland area for 12 years and has been an ATC member for the same amount of time. He joined the association to surround himself not only with his relatives but also with his community, who have now settled in Chicago. “When joining your community, you live in peace,” said Viagbo. Over the past 12 years, Kofi has described the Togolese community as a special and wonderful group of people. They not only love each other but also support one another through both good times and hardships. In addition to the church, if somebody is sick or struggling, Christ Commission members take it upon themselves to pray for them, encourage them, and provide support in any way possible, wherever needed. “I’m happy that I’m living among my people,” said Viagbo.

Reflecting on Viagobo’s own experience, it is also important to highlight the role and contributions of Kofi’s wife and the church’s first lady. Adjovi Atati has served as the First Lady of Christ Commission Church for 10 years. In her role, she describes herself as a leader who sets an example. Adjovi seeks to encourage the congregation, especially the women, and to guide them in their worship and service to God. As a member of the Women’s Association of the church, Adjovi says that what inspires her most is seeing the women in the congregation being very active in the church. “Ladies who have a heart and want to work for God. Want to worship and want to do things in God really inspires me,” said Atati.

Like the Women's Association, Christ Commission offers a variety of programs throughout the church. These efforts aim to engage the church community and provide resources for its members. On Sundays, they hold worship services at their main church starting at 10 am. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, the women’s association meets to discuss personal matters and pray together. Bible study also takes place on Tuesdays, and on Fridays, they host a night vigil from 10 pm to 12 am, during which they pray together.

Adjovi is always welcoming and encourages new members to join the congregation. They invite the ATC, other Togolese in the Chicagoland area, and all Africans in the community to join Christ Commission so they can accomplish things together, praise together, and worship together. “Together we can do something better,” said Atati.

Adjovi not only plays a crucial role in leading the women's association, but these efforts wouldn't be possible without the leadership of the association's president, DeDe Mensah of Christ Commission Church. Mensah has served as the women’s association president for four years and recalls taking on the role to help strengthen the faith of current women members in the congregation. “I love to work with God, and I love to work with women so that everyone can know how to pray better and inspire people outside the community to worship God. I am so happy to be president,” said Mensah. Some of the greatest joys DeDe has experienced during her time as president are meeting the people and seeing the work they do. In the women’s association, they not only support each other but also genuinely love one another. Even with these joys come challenges. Everyone, not only in the association but also in the congregation, has different personalities. “We are human beings, and to work with human beings can sometimes be very hard and be a challenge,” said Mensah. Other challenges faced by the women’s association include meeting together to work, as life in a new country presents its own challenges, and most individuals find themselves busy. However, Mensah believes they can overcome these small challenges.

In discussing the women's association leadership, DeDe also shares her vision for strengthening the organization. She highlights the importance of encouraging more prayer among members, especially women. She emphasizes the need for women to become more in touch with themselves, both as individuals and as part of the community. This also reflects her motivation for wanting to serve as president.

The church and the ATC value longstanding members like Kofi, Adjovi, and DeDe, who have played vital roles in both the ATC and the Christ Commission congregation for many years. They appreciate the dedicated members who make meaningful contributions over time. At the same time, it is important to recognize, highlight, and welcome newcomers to both the organization and the church family. Afi, who holds a bachelor's degree in nursing, is part of the Togo community and a full-time mom. She serves as an interpreter for the church by switching between English and Éwé, one of the languages spoken in Togo. Regarding the ATC, she describes herself as "just a member." "When I say just a member, I participate in everything and support and contribute when needed," said Afi.

In her own words and experience, she describes the Association of Togolese in Chicagoland as the representative of Togo in Chicago. “We are from the diaspora, and we need something that unites us, brings us together as one. That brings us together so we can accomplish things,” said Afi. Like ATC’s mission, Christ Commission offers a variety of programs for those new to the city or the United States. Besides their worship, the church also helps individuals with legal documentation and employment issues, provides resources through its community to help find jobs, and offers support for housing problems. “The difference hits differently, and if you are new here and don’t know where to turn, come to Christ Commission Church and find help,” says Afi.

With support from the ATC and Christ Commission Church, the most effective way they help newcomers from Togo, aside from their formal programs, is through personal interactions, offering words of wisdom and advice. There are members of both the association and the church who have been here for years and serve as excellent advisors. “They have made the mistakes we are not supposed to make anymore,” said Afi.

Since the ATC has a history of helping newcomers from Togo adapt to life in the United States, Afi hopes that legacy will continue and expand through change. Specifically, she aims to support younger people from Togo coming to Chicagoland. “If we have more communication with the new generation, it will be great and help promote more diversity and change,” said Afi.

To support this vision, it’s crucial to engage with youth and understand their perspectives, as they bring new ideas and energy to the community, like 10-year-old Jason Namboure. Jason says that what God means to him is feeling and immersing himself in God’s presence, while also participating in the Togolese community. “It’s good we have different cultures that allow us to be unique, and I see that as good,” said Namboure. Jason enjoys being part of the Togolese community specifically because he believes it makes him unique as an individual, since, in his eyes, being unique means having a different perspective on life. By coming to the Church, Jason emphasizes his favorite activity, protecting the Bible at all costs.

Home is more than just where you rest your head or the table you gather around. It is your community where you find comfort, peace, happiness, and the joy of being true to yourself. For decades, the Association of Togolese in Chicagoland and the Christ Commission Church have come together to do just that. Many have never seen or heard of Togo on a map, and many have never known about the Togolese community until now. It is a community full of love and support, where they have found their home away from home in each other and have adapted to life in the United States. Through shared experiences, cultural celebrations, and communal gatherings, they strengthen their bonds and create a sense of belonging that keeps their heritage alive. Mentorship and shared wisdom within the community also encourage younger generations to embrace their roots while pursuing their dreams that their ancestors didn’t have the opportunity to follow. The bonds formed provide support that helps newcomers navigate the challenges of relocation, ensuring that no one feels alone in their journey.

They build a future while honoring their past.

References:

• ATC Illinois. (n.d.). https://www.atcillinois.org/

• Togo climate: Average weather, temperature, rain, when to go. Togo Climate: Average Weather . (n.d.). https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/togo

• Togo climate: Weather Togo & Temperature by Month. Togo Climate: Weather Togo. (n.d.). https://en.climate-data.org/africa/togo-96/