Tales of Togo: A Young Woman's Search for Home in West Africa

by Meredith Pike-Baky

What happens when an idealistic young woman sets off in 1971 to live and work in a remote community in sub-Saharan Africa? Propelled by campaigns at home for peace, social justice and racial equality, she joins the Peace Corps and requests a position in the north of Togo, far from the capital city. Once in Africa, her revolutionary zeal is challenged by others who embrace America and its politics. She encounters unfamiliar authoritarianism in a school run by European nuns and reframes her opinion of men in uniform when she falls in love with a policeman. She works hard to fit in, hiring “boys” for help, traveling in mammy wagons, busses and trucks over murderously bumpy roads. She practices expressions in four languages to greet, bargain and teach. Her efforts introduce her to family roles and cultural practices that are shocking. She comes face-to-face with life-threatening illness. Her adventures reveal curiosity and creativity that keep her afloat and result in adaptation and appreciation. She is transformed in the process.

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2020

Reviews

[Sportyrod · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great choice for my around-the-world reading challenge. I can fully picture life in Togo and the culture and feel of the place.

The memoir was told by a Peace Corps worker who taught English as a second language in Togo in the 70s. The author wanted to push the comfort boundaries. The capital was too safe, so she went up north and lived among the people.

I think this was written decades later (maybe 50 years later?) and if so, the author managed to write it from her early twenties perspective with the whole quest of self discovery and youthful outlook on things. I think she is quite noble for travelling so far from home for so long (two years). Speaking of home, part of the title is “search for home”. This didn’t add up to what I thought it meant. I was thinking someone had originated from there and was trying to retrace their history but the term ‘home’ was more like ‘searching for belonging/purpose’. I am rather literal though so I could be wrong.

So the story was great, we got the journey of self-discovery, the love interest, the teaching, the Togo vibe and a good picture of life in Togo back in the 70s. I would recommend this to people doing the same challenge.

[Hoogi Somerville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing and. . .

. .it's difficult to write a relevant review. Every word I want to use sounds trite and doesn't do justice to the content and writing skills contained in the book. I loved every page and was sad to finish it even though I couldn't help racing through it. Thank you, Meredith.

[Patty Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

A comfortable read but non-eventful

If you’ve never been to Africa this would give you a snippet of insight into what it’s like. Some emotional depth was missing for me, although it was a smooth read. Definitely feels like something the author needed to write for herself or her family.

[Carla Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Meredith Pike Baky book about her stint in the Peace Corps in the 1970s.
I learned about Togo and it’s people and customs and I learned a lot about the young California woman who grew up while learning about the wider world she lives in .
Great reading!!!