“Christmas for All” is a beautiful solidarity initiative led by the NGO ASTOVOT to bring joy and the magic of Christmas to children in the Zomayi neighborhood and surrounding areas. In an environment where opportunities for entertainment are rare, this project transforms the association’s library and its surroundings into a place of celebration and sharing for more than ten days.

Games, activities, workshops, and celebrations brighten the daily lives of children, many of whom do not have the chance to receive gifts or treats during this period. Thanks to “Christmas for All,” they can experience unique moments of happiness, dreams, and togetherness, while strengthening solidarity within the community.

2. Objectives

General Objective:
To enable children in the Zomayi neighborhood and its surroundings to experience moments of joy, creativity, and sharing during the Christmas season.

Specific Objectives:

Mobilize donations and gifts for beneficiary children.
Create a space for relaxation, leisure, and personal development.
Showcase children’s talents (arts, music, theater, sports).
Encourage sharing and togetherness through a meal with parents.
Organize cultural, sports, and artistic activities.
Provide each child with gifts and treats.

3. Planned Activities
Setup and decoration: installation of the “Christmas Village,” traditional hut, stands, and Christmas tree.
Entertainment and rehearsals: music, dance, games, creative workshops, and sports tournaments.
Film screenings for children and teenagers.
Grand festive finale: children’s performances (choreography, theater, fashion show, slam poetry, recital) in front of their parents.
Preparation and sharing of a friendly meal with children, parents, and facilitators.
Distribution of gift packages and treats to all children to close the festivities.
Evaluation and site maintenance after the activities.

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.

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.

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