Renovating a library and doing art with local youth in Kpalime
       Kpalime, Kloto          July 27 - August 16, 2010

Volunteer project: The volunteer project includes renovation and construction of social and public facilities, namely: youth entertainment centre, public latrines, libraries and school buildings. The local population will work together with the volunteers for achieving the goal, that is to alleviate the lack of social, educational and sanitary infrastructure.
The volunteers will essentially do building work, woodwork and painting. They will have to pick up sand and gravel, make bricks, build foundations and walls with the help of a mason. The group will work 5 hours in the morning. The afternoons are free for leisure and cultural activities with the local people.

The volunteers will also take part in cultural exchange and art activities which constitute the social aspect of the project. The volunteers must be ready to go deeply into the local culture in order to bring out knowledge in artistic ways such as mural painting, theatre production and sketches.

The international volunteer group will run a painting and discussion group with local young people on current topics such as children exploitation, environmental protection, girls education, AIDS. The volunteers will also organize awareness activities with the local people about STD/HIV/AIDS and hygiene. The volunteers will produce a theatre play that can educate the population. This kind of project often ends with presenting the works of the group to the local population: painting, theatre performance, dance and percussion, batik, ceramics, etc.

Language: English and French

Location: Kpalimé is a crossroad city for the prefectures of Kloto, Agou, Dayes and Akata. From the town of Kpalimé, all the most important tourist sites are accessible. Kpalimé has around 80.000 inhabitants. It is a friendly and colourful town, situated at an altitude of 250 m. The city also preserves some architectural vestiges of the German colonial time. The group will visit the arts centre and the weaving-ateliers of Kpalimé.
Taking the route to Kpando up in the mountains, you will pass by cascades, woods of teak and lush vegetation. After some 11 km you will reach Kloto at an altitude of 600 m. Passing by some goat herds, you'll reach Missahohé, a picturesque site dominated by the Mount Kloto (960 m) from where you have magnificent view over Kpalimé and Mount Agou. The international volunteer group can visit the Chateau Hausberg, take a promenade through the beautiful forest of Yoh and see its cascades, numerous flowers, pineapples and wild mangos.

Age range: 19 and over

Extra fee: 200 Euro
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

Arts, cultural exchange and construction work in Kpalime
       Kpalime, Kloto          August 10 - August 30, 2010

Volunteer project: The volunteer project includes renovation and construction of social and public facilities, namely: youth entertainment centre, public latrines, libraries and school buildings. The local population will work together with the volunteers for achieving the goal, that is to alleviate the lack of social, educational and sanitary infrastructure.
The volunteers will essentially do building work, woodwork and painting. They will have to pick up sand and gravel, make bricks, build foundations and walls with the help of a mason. The group will work 5 hours in the morning. The afternoons are free for leisure and cultural activities with the local people.

The volunteers will also take part in cultural exchange and art activities which constitute the social aspect of the project. The volunteers must be ready to go deeply into the local culture in order to bring out knowledge in artistic ways such as mural painting, theatre production and sketches.

The international volunteer group will run a painting and discussion group with local young people on current topics such as children exploitation, environmental protection, girls education, AIDS. The volunteers will also organize awareness activities with the local people about STD/HIV/AIDS and hygiene. The volunteers will produce a theatre play that can educate the population. This kind of project often ends with presenting the works of the group to the local population: painting, theatre performance, dance and percussion, batik, ceramics, etc.

Language: English and French

Location: Kpalimé is a crossroad city for the prefectures of Kloto, Agou, Dayes and Akata. From the town of Kpalimé, all the most important tourist sites are accessible. Kpalimé has around 80.000 inhabitants. It is a friendly and colourful town, situated at an altitude of 250 m. The city also preserves some architectural vestiges of the German colonial time. The group will visit the arts centre and the weaving-ateliers of Kpalimé.
Taking the route to Kpando up in the mountains, you will pass by cascades, woods of teak and lush vegetation. After some 11 km you will reach Kloto at an altitude of 600 m. Passing by some goat herds, you'll reach Missahohé, a picturesque site dominated by the Mount Kloto (960 m) from where you have magnificent view over Kpalimé and Mount Agou. The international volunteer group can visit the Chateau Hausberg, take a promenade through the beautiful forest of Yoh and see its cascades, numerous flowers, pineapples and wild mangos.

Age range: 19 and over

Extra fee: 200 Euro
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

Tree planting and environmental education activities
       Esse-Ana, Yoto          August 12 - September 1, 2010

Volunteer project: Poverty, especially in rural areas, has led to very negative impact on the environment in Africa, and in particular in Togo, because poverty often leads to exploiting natural resources rather than trying to preserve them. In the rural areas of Togo, some agricultural practices have had heavy consequences for the environment. Moreover, wood trade and mining are the principal means of survival for the population. Consequently, the forest reserves are practically disappearing.

The volunteers in this project will be mainly involved in tree planting. Together with local farmers, the group will also prepare nurseries of fertilizing and forest species, in order to prepare the coming reforestation season. During the project, volunteers will have discussions and will try to sensitize the farmers about the ravages of anarchic bush fires. The project participants will organize environmental education and animation activities for the local children. The environmental messages can be delivered through different means such as sketches, posters, etc.

Volunteers' tasks consist of filling sachets, putting sachets in the nurseries and watering them, land clearance and planting the seedlings. Volunteers will work 5 hours a day. They will be free in the afternoons and can join various cultural activities with the local people.

Language: English and French

Location: Esse Ana is a small village in Tagbligbo, in the south-east of Togo, about 70 km far from Lomé. This village has its speciality: you can learn here how the people make the local alcohol call “Sodabi”. You can enjoy the performance of a local dancing group and you will participate in the main activities of the community. You'll see the typical products of Africa such as banana, orange, avocados.

Age range: 19 and over

Extra fee: 200 Euro
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

Reforestation work and raising environmental awareness in the Maritime region of Togo
       Gape, Zio          August 16 - September 5, 2010

Volunteer project: Poverty, especially in rural areas, has led to very negative impact on the environment in Africa, and in particular in Togo, because poverty often leads to exploiting natural resources rather than trying to preserve them. In the rural areas of Togo, some agricultural practices have had heavy consequences for the environment. Moreover, wood trade and mining are the principal means of survival for the population. Consequently, the forest reserves are practically disappearing.

The volunteers in this project will be mainly involved in tree planting. Together with local farmers, the group will also prepare nurseries of fertilizing and forest species, in order to prepare the coming reforestation season. During the project, volunteers will have discussions and will try to sensitize the farmers about the ravages of anarchic bush fires. The project participants will organize environmental education and animation activities for the local children. The environmental messages can be delivered through different means such as sketches, posters, etc.

Volunteers' tasks consist of filling sachets, putting sachets in the nurseries and watering them, land clearance and planting the seedlings. Volunteers will work 5 hours a day. They will be free in the afternoons and can join various cultural activities with the local people.

The project is in partnership with the local Clubs of the mothers, whose dynamism is to be encouraged. These women have already initiated a "local saving bank" and want to create green spaces in the village. The project aims to support this women group in their activities for an increased women empowerment.
This volunteer action at the village of Gapé Akpakpedomé would be also an action of environmental education and raising awareness of the natural environment.

Language: English and French

Location: This village is located 75 km from Kpalimé in the prefecture of Zio, Maritime region. The Gapé center is agglomeration gathering more than 130 villages. Gapé Akpakpedomé is one of the villages. The Gapé center is well-known in Togo for its large plantations of palm trees, which today are cut down under the blow of poverty for the production of local alcohol called "Togo gin".

Age range: 19 and over

Extra fee: 200 Euro
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

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