Lomé, July 25, 2025 – (©AfreePress) – In an atmosphere filled with emotion and recognition, Compassion International Togo and Espérance pour les Familles dans la Francophonie (EFF) celebrated the official graduation of the 4th batch of Certified Counselors in Adolescent and Youth Support (CCAYS), dubbed « Barnabas Promotion », on Friday, July 25, at the Agora Senghor in Lomé. The ceremony brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government representatives, church leaders, association directors, families of graduates, and institutional partners. All came to salute the commitment and determination of these new counselors.
In his address, Koffi Ahonon, National Director of Compassion International Togo, praised the rigor and perseverance that marked the two-year training program. « We are not just celebrating the end of a course, but the sending out on mission of men and women trained to respond to the silent sufferings of young people, » he declared.
In the face of growing challenges faced by youth – emotional disorders, family breakdowns, addictions, school failure, and professional drift – the graduates benefited from an intensive training program structured around 40 specialized modules, combining theory and practical fieldwork. « We need professionals anchored in the values of compassion, capable of providing concrete, contextualized, and sustainable responses, » Mr. Ahonon insisted, recalling Compassion International Togo’s ambitious strategy to train 2,000 certified counselors by 2030, within a network of 397 partner churches already supporting over 90,000 children and young people across the country.
A poignant testimony of the inner transformation experienced by the beneficiaries came from Sronipah, spokesperson for the promotion. « We have learned to listen with our hearts, to guide without imposing, and to enable young people to become the architects of their own future, » he shared.
In a symbolic video message, Bertrand Audeout, founder of EFF and family therapist, launched a vibrant appeal to the graduates. « God is sending you to heal the wounds of a generation. What you carry goes beyond the walls of a training center. It’s a mission of life, a lever for community transformation, » he indicated.
The ceremony ended on a note of collective commitment, reaffirming the will to train leaders of integrity, rooted in faith, compassion, and social justice. Compassion International Togo and EFF aim to strengthen their role as catalysts for change, through human investments that hold the future.
Espoir K.
