📝 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
Description :
Maison Sinaï, a partner of ASTOVOT, provides care for children aged 6 to 17. It offers a safe environment with basic education, healthcare, daily meals, and clothing, supporting the children's school journey. However, due to limited financial resources, some facilities are old and in need of renovation to ensure a safe and comfortable environment. ASTOVOT is therefore organizing a solidarity volunteer program to mobilize volunteers to renovate and improve the dormitories and common areas of Maison Sinaï, while fostering a spirit of solidarity and community engagement
Objectives of project
Improve children's living conditions by renovating dormitories and securing living spaces
Promote volunteering and solidarity through a concrete, community-focused project
Provide volunteers with a meaningful experience by contributing directly to the well-being of the children
Volunteer Tasks
Renovation and Maintenance of Facilities
Painting, repairing walls, floors, and ceilings Improving dormitories and common areas to create a safer and more comfortable living environment
Organizing and tidying children's belongings before returning them to the dormitories: installation, arrangement, maintenance, and minor repairs
Teaching children how to organize and care for their belongings in the dormitories
Participation in Communal Life and Child Support
Lead fun and educational activities alongside renovation work (games, reading, arts and crafts)
Promote a friendly and caring atmosphere with the children and Maison Sinaï staff
Awareness and Intercultural Exchange
Share values of solidarity and mutual support with the children and local community
Provide a positive and inspiring presence, building relationships with the children and fostering social and cultural learning
🏠 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
Motivation and interest in children and non-formal education Ability to lead playful and interactive workshops Patience, cultural openness, and teamwork Adaptability to simple living conditions in a rural environment
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
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. Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate: Must be presented at check-in and upon arrival in Togo
