📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The NGO Association Togolaise des Volontaires au Travail (ASTOVOT) has over 60 years of experience in international voluntary service. Each year, it welcomes many volunteers from around the world for short, medium, and long-term projects (from 3 weeks to 12 months) in Togo. These projects allow around 200 national volunteers to interact with international volunteers and create meaningful intercultural exchanges throughout the year. ASTOVOT is a member of: Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS – UNESCO) Network of Africa Voluntary Organisations (NAVO) It partners with volunteer organizations in Europe, Asia, the USA, Canada, and Africa. Its projects mainly focus on: Community development Education and citizenship Health and social action Environmental protection Intercultural learning Construction and renovation of community infrastructure
💼 What the programme involves
Every summer, ASTOVOT organizes an educational volunteer program for children in rural areas, notably in the village of Yéviépé, where the association has built a community library. For three weeks, volunteers support children in fun and educational activities that combine learning with play. Mornings are spent at the school, with hands-on workshops in subjects such as French, mathematics, and English. These are not formal lessons but interactive activities adapted to the children's level. Afternoons take place at the library, where children participate in creative and cultural workshops: reading, theater, games, coloring, sports, and dance. This program allows volunteers to contribute to non-formal education, stimulate children's creativity, and support their personal development, while sharing cultural exchange and joyful moments.
Objectives of project
Offer children an educational and playful program during the holidays
Encourage hands-on learning of core school subjects
Foster children's creativity, self-expression, and self-confidence
Promote solidarity, volunteering, and intercultural exchange between volunteers and the community
Volunteer Tasks
Interactive School Workshops (Mornings)
Supervise hands-on activities in core subjects: mathematics, French, and English
Organize educational games and interactive exercises to make learning more fun and concrete
Library Activities (Afternoons)
Lead creative and cultural workshops: reading, theater, singing, and dancing
Organize playful and artistic activities such as coloring, group games, and sports Encourage children to express themselves freely and develop creativity and self confidence
Support and Communal Life
Assist in the preparation and organization of daily activities
Help manage educational materials and spaces (classroom, library)
🏠 Accommodation on site
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is usually basic and depends on the project location. Volunteers stay in groups of 3–4 per room, with room-sharing arrangements decided collectively. Some sites have dry toilets and showers without running water. Mats are provided, and volunteers may bring sleeping bags if possible. Drinking water is available on site, but electricity and internet access may be limited.
FOODS
During the camp, volunteers are responsible for preparing their own meals. An internal schedule organizes volunteers into groups that take turns handling household tasks, including cooking, cleaning, and meal preparation. Ingredients may be local, imported, or organic, and special dietary needs are taken into account whenever possible. Volunteers also enjoy a variety of tropical fruits such as bananas, oranges, pineapples, mangoes, avocados, and papayas, which are readily available during the camp.
📍 About the location
Apart from the main camp activities, several recreational and cultural activities are organized, such as discovery walks, hiking, festive outings, and cultural exchanges. These activities allow volunteers to interact with local communities and to explore Togolese culture. During weekends, group excursions are arranged by volunteers and camp coordinators to visit local tourist sites in the project area. Please note that costs related to excursions and outings are not included in the participation fee.
⚠️ Requirements
A basic knowledge of computers or an interest in communication and public speaking is desirable. Volunteers should demonstrate openness, patience, pedagogical skills, and the ability to adapt well to communal living.
Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay and contain at least two blank pages for the visa. Visa: Application is done online. Current procedures and requirements for traveling to Togo are available at https://voyage.gouv.tg/. It is strongly recommended to apply well in advance.
The working languages of the camp are English and French. However, non-French
speaking volunteers are advised to have basic knowledge of French before arrival,
as French is the official language of Togo. Most local volunteers and community
members have limited English skills.
ℹ️ Additional information
Yellow Fever Vaccination: Vaccination against yellow fever is mandatory for entry into Togo. Other Vaccinations: It is highly recommended to update routine vaccinations and consult your doctor or an international travel health center (specializing in tropical diseases). Vaccines such as Hepatitis A and B, DTP, or typhoid may also be advised. Malaria Prevention: Malaria is transmitted by mosquito bites. Volunteers should use insect repellent and take necessary precautions, especially in tropical areas during the evening and at night.