📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Created in 1957, the NGO Association Togolaise des Volontaires au Travail (ASTOVOT) is one of the first Togolese associations. ASTOVOT is a non-profit, secular organisation that has been supporting international solidarity initiatives for several decades, as well as the self-help of rural communities through its support for local development projects. ASTOVOT's mission is to contribute to the socio-cultural development of local populations in the communes of the Kloto and Agou Prefectures through the realisation of collective utility projects and the involvement of young national and foreign volunteers. Today ASTOVOT is a reference in international volunteering and civic service in Togo. Each year, ASTOVOT welcomes several dozen international volunteers from Europe (Germany, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Spain, Luxembourg...) and Asia (Japan) thanks to solid partnerships with several organisations working in these fields such as AIME, SCI International, IJGD Germany, Solidarités Jeunesses, Compagnons bâtisseurs, Concordia, NICE Japan, Cadip Canada. Since its creation, the association has carried out numerous projects in its areas of intervention, with the aim of implementing a participative approach with the local communities. The projects carried out include the construction of classrooms and eco-sanitary latrines, reforestation, socio-educational activities, the renovation of school buildings and sanitary facilities, and the setting up of awareness-raising workshops (on themes related to education, citizenship, agro-ecology, hygiene and health, and entrepreneurship). The association aims to :
• To contribute to the animation of life by the participation of Togolese and foreign volunteers in the realization of works of general interest;
• To improve the living conditions of the local population by promoting their development and well-being through the protection of the environment and the socio-cultural heritage;
💼 What the programme involves
In order to offer a space for the development and reintegration of young people in family difficulties, ASTOVOT has committed itself to the construction of a reception centre for young people through participatory financing. The aim of this centre is to provide temporary accommodation for adolescents and young people who have dropped out of school and are experiencing family difficulties or are homeless, offering them the opportunity to continue their schooling or learn a trade. It should be noted that this project does not benefit from any funding from a donor or from the Togolese government. It is the participation fees of the volunteers and other contributions that finance the construction of this centre. This summer's objective is to continue the work of completing the first building.
AIMS OF PROJECT
• Learning to work as a team in a coordinated and self-organised way.
• Sharing basic knowledge of space maintenance, construction, carpentry, plumbing, electrical installations, etc.
• To value manual work.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
- Weeding and maintenance of the site;
- Helping the workers (masons, carpenters, electricians, etc.): fetching sand and water, making bricks, cutting wood for carpentry, installing window and door supports, etc;
- Excavation work for the construction of the wall;
- Creation of the green space of the centre and planting of seedlings (mango trees, coconut trees, orange trees, etc.) to plant the open space.
🏠 Accommodation on site
CCOMMODATION
Accommodation is generally basic, simple and specific to the location of the project. On site, volunteers are accommodated in groups of three or four people per room. The number of people per room depends on the collective organisation of the volunteers themselves. Depending on the location, volunteers may use dry toilets and showers without water inside. This implies that the volunteers will fetch water from a fountain or well. The association provides volunteers with plastic or foam mats. Volunteers who have sleeping bags can bring them with them if possible. Access to drinking water on the site. However, access to electricity and internet may be limited depending on the village. This is due to regular load shedding and difficulties in accessing the network respectively.
FOOD
During the workcamp, the volunteers will cook their own meals. An internal organisation will allow for the creation of groups that will alternate to carry out the different domestic tasks, including cooking. The food products used for cooking are sometimes imported, sometimes local and often organic. The diet of each volunteer will be taken into account in the cooking of the meals. Volunteers will have access to tropical fruits such as bananas, oranges, pineapples, mangoes, avocados, papayas, etc.
📍 About the location
In addition to the main activities of the workcamp, other activities are organised such as: discovery walks, hikes, festive outings and cultural meetings. These activities allow the volunteers to come into contact with the local population and to discover the Togolese culture.
During the weekends, collective excursions are organised by the volunteers and their leaders to discover the tourist sites of the region where the workcamp is taking place. It should be noted that the expenses related to the excursions and the volunteers' outings are not included in the participation fees. However, the association can facilitate or negotiate transport for the volunteers during outings or excursions.
⚠️ Requirements
This project requires a high level of motivation on the part of the volunteers, as it involves the permanent mobilisation of the public around the organised activities. Volunteers must have a real interest in inter-cultural issues and solidarity.
ℹ️ Additional information
The languages of the workcamp are French and then English. However, we recommend that non-French speaking volunteers have a basic knowledge of French before their arrival. The official language of Togo is French. The vast majority of local volunteers and communities have a very low level of English.
