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

Description

Every summer, the sons and daughters of Kuma-Apoti village, as well as members of the diaspora, gather to joyfully celebrate the “Dunenyo-Za” festival, also called the “Festival of Development.” This cultural and community event is a key moment where the population comes together to: Reflect collectively on the future of the village Promote youth through education, culture, and training Strengthen social cohesion around sustainable local development Kuma-Apoti, recognized as one of the cleanest and most environmentally friendly villages in Togo, places solidarity, unity, and respect for the environment at the heart of this celebration. In this context, ASTOVOT, a committed partner of the village, is launching an international cultural and solidarity immersion program, allowing national and international volunteers to experience unique opportunities for exchange, sharing, and community engagement

Objectives of project

Promote intercultural exchange and mutual understanding
Contribute to local development through concrete actions for the environment, youth, and living conditions Highlight Togolese cultural heritage and strengthen cross-cultural connections

Volunteer Tasks

Community and environmental work: public sanitation, cleaning communal spaces, reforestation, maintaining rural paths, and improving public areas
Educational and recreational activities: organizing games, sports tournaments, artistic workshops, traditional singing and dancing with children and youth to foster cohesion and creativity
Support for cultural activities: preparing and setting up concert venues, exhibitions, and event spaces, actively participating in festivities and the festival’s grand finale (dances, performances, storytelling, and songs)
Cultural immersion: staying with host families, joining local folklore groups, and learning about local traditions through direct exchange and participation

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.

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.

No specific technical skills are required, but volunteers should be: Motivated, energetic, and ready to actively participate in community and cultural activities Interested in culture, local development, and international solidarity

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.

Upon arrival at Lomé airport, a member of ASTOVOT in charge of volunteer reception will meet you and escort you to your accommodation in Lomé. The taxi fare between the airport and the hotel ranges from 5,000 to 10,000 CFA francs (approximately €7.5–13). Transport to Kpalimé is by bush taxi or minibus. The ASTOVOT headquarters serves as both the volunteer meeting point and the starting location of the workcamp. The distance between Lomé and Kpalimé is 121 km, with a travel time of about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.Taxi fares from Lomé to Kpalimé are around 3,000 CFA francs (~€5) at taxi parks, but additional charges are often requested. Volunteers are advised to pay 5,000 CFA francs to ensure the driver brings them directly to the ASTOVOT headquarters.