Togo: 25 Years of Opportunity for Young People. The Madre Agata Carelli Centre Celebrates Its Commitment to Education and the Future

In Togo, access to quality education can mean the difference between vulnerability and self-reliance, between exclusion and opportunity. For the past 25 years, the Madre Agata Carelli Catholic Technical and Vocational Training Centre, run by the Canossian Sisters, has worked tirelessly to provide young women and men with practical tools to build their own futures.

In December 2025, the Centre marked the 25th anniversary of its founding, bringing together students, teachers, families and the local community for three days of activities that placed young people, participation and the transformative power of education at the heart of the celebration.

The commemorations began on Friday, 19 December, with a moment of sport and shared experience: a football match between students from the tailoring course and those from the local high school. A symbolic event in which sport became a vehicle for inclusion, cooperation and mutual respect, strengthening bonds of belonging and trust.

On Saturday, 20 December, students, teachers and the Canossian Sisters took part in a day dedicated to sport and the care of shared spaces. The morning concluded with the cleaning and restoration of the entire Centre — a tangible act of collective responsibility that engaged the whole educational community.

The celebrations reached their peak on Tuesday, 23 December, with the Eucharistic celebration marking the close of the Jubilee. The Mass brought together priests, Sisters, local authorities, parents, teachers, laypeople and students — a united community acknowledging the value of the journey undertaken and renewing its commitment to the future. The day ended with a large communal picnic and a popular celebration, an expression of shared joy and collective participation.

Today, the Madre Agata Carelli Centre stands as a key point of reference for technical and vocational training in the region. Through hands-on educational pathways, it supports young people in developing skills, independence and self-confidence, offering real opportunities for social and professional integration.

Celebrating 25 years means looking back with gratitude, but above all strengthening a commitment to what lies ahead. In a context where many young people face complex challenges, the Centre’s daily work continues to generate lasting impact, opening pathways of dignity, growth and hope for future generations.