Marthe Carine Piugnan and her family
Marthe was born on July 29, 2002. She has two brothers, Jean was born in 1998 and Michel who was born in 2007. She has one sister named Michelline who was also born in 2007. Her Father, Josephe is a peasant farmer and was born in 1964 and her Mother, Claire is a housewife and was born in 1969. Marthe and her family live in a house made of brick with a straw roof, they get their water all year round from an open community well, less than 1km away. They have no bathroom facilities in their home so they have to use and open field or public area. The nearest health facility is 30 minuetes away.
According to her family, Marthe is in good health and is a happy little girl. She attends a primary school that she travel 30 minutes to reach.
Togo, quick facts:
Togo is a West African country located on the coasline of the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the smallest countries in West Africa with an area of 22,000 square miles, at it's broadest point Togo is barely 100 miles wide. With a population of 5 million the average, Per Captia Income is $350/year (US). Their official language is French.
The adult literacy rate is 69% male and 38% female and the access of safe, clean water is 80% in urban area's and 36% in the rural area's. The under 5 mortality rate is 139 out of every 1,000 births.
There are two seasons in Togo: the rainy season starts in March and endds in October, followed by the dry season from November to February. The Harmattan, a cold and dry northeast wind, is experienced between November and February. This period is generally dusty with cold mornings, a condition which adversely affects most sponsored childrem who must leave home as early as 6am to go to school.