THE SOCIO-CULTURAL CONTEXT OF KUSUNTU CHILD FOSTERING IN TOGO

In Kusuntu, in the commune of Tchamba 2, child entrustment is a practice deeply rooted in the logic of kinship and solidarity. It's not simply a matter of moving a child, but of sharing responsibility, education and protection between families linked by blood, alliance or community proximity. The child must adapt to a new home, learn the rules, participate in domestic and agricultural tasks, and find his or her place in the family hierarchy. This experience may offer schooling, protection and stability, but it can also be tiring, nostalgic and conflict-ridden. The host family plays a central role in looking after the child's well-being, while the family of origin maintains its symbolic and material duties through visits, contributions and recognition. Between these homes, bonds of shared responsibility, cooperation and negotiation are forged. Conflicts are not uncommon, but reveal the importance of balance and mutual respect. In this way, Kusuntu fostering is a living system where solidarity, learning and authority are interwoven on a daily basis for the benefit of the child and the community.