Being an EDULCOD-Togo scholar: the turning point of my life

My name is Essi Catherine Logan and I joined EDULCOD-Togo in 2017. If I am honored to have been one of the first scholars, it is even a greater honor

to say how much I have grown thanks to the amazing opportunities I was exposed to. In 2017, I participated in the Yale Young African Scholars program in Ghana. Not only I got the chance to visit Ghana for the first time, but also I met aspiring change-makers of my age from all over the continent, discussed the educational system in other countries, and watched a performance of Ethiopian traditional dance for the first time.

With EDULCOD-Togo, more than being introduced to opportunities, I was supported throughout the process both emotionally and in terms of feedback on essays. This was the case during college applications when understanding that this was a completely new process to me, the team always pushed me to stick to deadlines, produce good essays without blighting my academic life. Moreover, as a low-income student, EDULCOD-Togo made sure I had the financial support for application fees and tests by connecting me with EducationUSA where I was considered to benefit from Opportunity Funds Program.

One of my biggest achievements as an EDULCOD-Togo scholar was my admission to the African Leadership Academy where I am currently studying. My journey at ALA has been a journey of self-discovery and self-valorization. Through courses such as African Studies and Writing&Rhetoric, I am constantly learning about Africa’s stories and taking pride in my identity as an African.

Throughout my three years of membership at EDULCOD-Togo, the organization has highly shown its commitment to improving education in Togo and making higher education accessible to high achieving low-income students. By organizing events such as national summer camps, English speech contests and community service, students get to explore issues of environmental degradation/protection, good/bad governance, and the integration of the youth to the society they live in. No need to emphasize on the importance of such topics for a sustainable development of our country.

I am extremely grateful to EDULCOD-Togo and as I begin a new stage of my life at Pomona College, I hope to build on what I learned and become an inspiring leader.

 Essi Catherine Logan