Togo is nicknamed the lighthouse of West Africa, referring to the peaceful and welcoming nature of the people. These are good people but have limited resources and opportunities. We are created to praise, reverence, and serve our Lord. One way we can show this is by sharing what we have with those less fortunate. Let’s connect our hearts to our fellow brothers and sisters in Africa, spreading the love of Jesus Christ!
Our goals —
Our goal is to provide basic needs to villages around the country. We will focus on elementary schools, starting with two small renovation projects, one in each of the schools pictured. The principle of each school has asked for our help with a specific need. In one, we will finance the renovation of a room for preschoolers and pave the main walkway with cement. In the other, we will finance the construction of a locker room next to the soccer field. There are many things we can help supply to schools around the country. These include cleaning detergent for bathrooms, tables with benches for cafeteria areas, and desks for classrooms. In every school we visited, there was only a standing area for students to eat their lunch. We are also committed to fostering a sense of community and support by organizing volunteer-led initiatives to assist teachers and families in the surrounding areas.
Lisa
Thank you for this opportunity to share with those less fortunate, provide comfort for the everyday life of these children, and to praise and serve our Lord.
Joe & Shayna
We are so happy to support this heartfelt organization and bring simple smiles and meaningful change to the wonderful community and children of Togo Africa. Together we’re … Read more
We are so happy to support this heartfelt organization and bring simple smiles and meaningful change to the wonderful community and children of Togo Africa. Together we’re helping create brighter futures and lasting opportunities.
Nikki
Anonymous
A comparable quality hoop found at a sporting goods store in Lome, Togo goes for close to a thousand dollars (4X the price of walmart)! Way out of the realm of possibility for a school to obtain.
– Simple Smiles IS Official –
Simple Smiles is now an incorporated public charity and 501(c)(3) organization. Donors can deduct contributions made under IRC section 170. We’ve come up with a very simple way to help bring smiles to countless schoolchildren across the country of Togo, Africa. Togo is one of the poorest countries in the world, but full of wonderful people that deserve more dignity. We’ve made two trips over to Togo thus far, forming relationships with trustworthy team members to help with distribution, principals of schools, and even the mayor in the capital city of Lome to help with logistics and gaining access to the public school system. We’re filling a shipping container with dozens of basketball hoops and jungle gyms we will personally distribute to elementary schools that have no playground equipment at all. Let’s help create some well-deserved fun for these kids and give them something extra to look forward to during a break from their studies. It’s hard to imagine, but most schools in Togo only have a dirt field for the kids to run around and play on. A perfect spot to place these! We’ll deliver a bball hoop, jungle gym, and a dozen sports bouncy balls to every school we possibly can. Imagine how many smiles and laughs this mission can help create in the daily lives of thousands of children…what an impact! In addition to the play equipment, we will personally distribute any donated goods (crucifixes, clothes, toys, kitchenware, tools, etc.) to poverty-stricken communities in Togo that will greatly appreciate anything given to them. Let’s show them how the power of God’s Grace can flow from the people of Omaha all the way to Africa❤️🌍
+5
We have developed a solid and trustworthy crew of men in Togo who take heart in helping their community. They believe in Simple Smiles. They believe that there are people across the world who have compassion for their community. On our 2nd mission trip, our team was able to distribute a truckload of good sturdy desks and tables to 4 different schools. On every mission trip, we’ll give beanie babies and Hot Wheels cars to the children when we deliver the play equipment. The renovation missions of the 2 schools listed below are still needed as well.
You can make a secure donation by simply clicking on the button on this page. Every dollar you donate goes directly towards the play equipment and 2 renovations listed, as Super Scooper covers all logistic expenses including shipping and travel.
School #1
“Captured scenes from a school in Lome portray classrooms lacking sufficient desks, prompting the principal to identify areas in need of renovation for an improved learning environment.”
+4
In the future, we’d like to help with larger renovation projects such as replacing leaky roofs and building bathroom facilities complete with toilets and plumbing for running water. A lot of schools need better well pump systems for clean water. Most schools’ bathroom facilities are as pictured..a hole in the ground or the field behind the buildings. Even the best private schools need EVERYTHING. We asked a kitchen lady at the best school we came across what she could use the most and her response was, “A mixer. And some pans.” The one soccer field with grass we found at a nice private school was overgrown because the guy’s trimmer was broken. We asked him to pose with it any ways. Super Scooper will gather a lot of needed kitchen appliances, tools, and lawn equipment from estate sales in Omaha to save money.
School #2
“A school in Kpalime highlights the need for maintenance tools and appliances, as images show areas requiring upkeep and improvements to support a better learning environment. In the field below we have future plans for a new locker room!”
+5
We’re accepting donations of any kind. The people are entirely grateful and appreciative of anything you are willing to offer them.. We can pick them up from your porch, just let us know…label the box “Togo”, and we’ll leave a tax deductable receipt for how much your donations are worth. You can also mail or leave donations outside our office front door. We’ll mail a tax deductible receipt back to you. We are filling large shipping containers at our office and will have revolving containers going to Africa. We will personally distribute all the goods to ensure nothing is profited from, striving to reach the poorest areas of rural Togo. We will literally drive a box truck around the country dishing stuff out like Santa Clause. They are extremely appreciative. You may also make monetary donations using a credit card/Paypal on this page. We will use monetary donations to pay for the furniture and playground equipment including basketball hoops for as many schools as possible. We will also spend the money on the two specified renovation projects, overseeing construction with trusted builders. We have a trusted carpenter in Togo continuously building quality wooden furniture as pictured. The total cost for our initial order of local wood material and construction of cost-effective and long-lasting school furniture is $2,625. This will include 20 long tables with benches for cafeteria areas, and 30 desks for classrooms in need. We’ll post pictures of all receipts we use monetary donations for to be fully transparent.
Local Carpenter
“A skilled carpenter from Togo builds sturdy school desks and tables, providing essential furniture for local educational institutions, enhancing the learning environment for students.”
+0
+4
Empowering Togo Through Generosity and Grace
“Amidst the challenges of catastrophic flooding, the resilient spirit of Togo endures. Scenes of everyday life, accompanied by the uplifting sounds of praise within a church, remind us of the unwavering faith and strength of this community.”
Thank you for your generosity, and we look forward to providing updates with pictures of completed projects and of those who receive your donations. Let’s show what the people of Omaha can do for them! Through the power of God’s grace, we can uphold the dignity and progress of the wonderful people of Togo.
Adding Joy and Dignity
“Newley-built bathrooms at a store in Lome serve as an example of what we’d like to build for schools. Empty school fields and cafeteria areas depict where we would like to place playgrounds and tables for children to eat lunch.”
+2
Get in Touch with Us —
Have questions about donating or want to learn more about how your contribution can make a difference? Feel free to reach out to us! We’d love to hear from you and will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for supporting Simple Smiles and helping us create brighter futures for those in need.