Some people dedicate their time and energy to making life better for others. René Adobah is one of them. René does volunteer work with children. He wants to help children in Togo, West Africa have a better future. To assist children of all ages, he founded the non-profit organization ASSOCIATION ÉTOILE BRILLANTE DU MATIN (ÉBM) (engl.: Bright Morning Star Association). René is a socio-agroeconomist and the founding president. He founded the organization in January 2022 and is committed to improving the living conditions of all people, especially orphans. The organization’s focus areas are education, health, arts, and environment.

Because it is important to provide a platform for small and lesser-known organizations and to recognize their work, I decided to interview René.

After my stay at an orphanage in Kenya in 2019, conducting this interview was very important to me. Thank you very much, René, for your important work in positively changing the lives of these children!

1. What motivated you to found the organization?

ÉBM was created in response to the poverty and vulnerability faced by orphans, underprivileged children, and women. I am committed to preventing suffering, protecting lives, and restoring human dignity so that every child can have a better future.

2. Which projects are particularly close to your heart?

There are several projects close to my heart. They all involve implementing an online or mobile incubation and training program in entrepreneurship, leadership, and IT for orphans, to ensure a better future for them.

3. What challenges does your organization face?

Our association faces three main types of challenges:

• Human resources: lack of volunteers to support us on the ground by sharing their skills and expertise.
• Technical: need for IT equipment and other materials for training sessions.
• Financial: insufficient funding to implement the association’s activities, programs, and projects.

4. What role do (international) partnerships play?

International partners naturally play a key role by providing technical and financial support through fundraising and grants to implement our projects, programs, and activities.

5. In what areas does your organization need help?

Our association needs support in the financial and technical areas.

6. How can people help your organization?

Support ÉBM with in-kind donations: IT equipment, agroecology and bioenergy training materials. Or with financial donations: grants, fundraising, crowdfunding. Every contribution helps us empower orphans.

7. Which children does your organization support?

Our association generally supports underprivileged and vulnerable children, adolescents, and young people, with a special focus on orphans in Togo.

8. What is your vision for the coming years?

For the coming years, we plan to build strategic partnerships with foundations and corporate sponsors. When possible, we also aim to meet them in person to better present our association and secure the resources and grants needed to implement our projects and programs for orphans.

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GET IN TOUCH WITH RENÉ – ASSOCIATION ÉTOILE BRILLANTE DU MATIN

• 📧 assoebmtogo@gmail.com
• 📧 adobahk@gmail.com 
• 📞 (+228) 93 42 43 10 / 99 37 22 09
• Focus areas: Education | Social | Health | Arts | Culture | Environment 
• René speaks French and English