Our ancestors, grandparents and our parents, all had their own way of enjoying life, of passing time, of playing games, of creating. All those old leisure activities have now disappeared and young people are losing their cultural identity. That is the reality lived by young people of our urban and rural communities. To confront this situation, education, awareness raising and research are essential, since it is obvious that sooner or later, identifying these old costumes is a necessary step towards a real development of our local communities. ASTOVOT became aware of a lack of creativity in young people which does not allow them to take a step beyond their culture. These are the major reasons for the start of this project based in cultural activities allowing young people to be more creative.
Aims of the project:
The project aims at the creation of various activities for young people namely the setting up of a theatre group commonly called "Kantatata" in Togo. This group will produce plays inspired in the scenes of daily life in our rural and urban areas; revitalisation of the traditionally practised plays which are today in danger of disappearing; introduction of new plays which are sometimes imported from other cultures; creation of a dance and choreography group; manufacture of artistic objects (baskets, water jugs, bow nets, etc.). These various activities will support rather frequent meetings with young people of all the social layers which will also undoubtedly benefit the international volunteers who will through this project discover the reality of Togolese culture.
Work:
1st phase - It will consist in launching a campaign in the media to gather young people of all social layers. With regard to the different plays, a research team will collect as many as possible. They will be charged to study them and to select them in order to be presented to the local youth. 2nd phase - In this period the project itself will take place, as described above. 3rd phase - Presentation in the form of a fair to which the local authorities will be invited.
Accommodation:
The volunteers will be housed together by the village community at the location of the workcamp.
Location:
Hanyigba is a village in the outskirts of Kpalimé (3km away). It counts approximately with 6000 inhabitants including 68% of women. Economy in this village is primarily based on agriculture, small animal breeding and trade. The trade practised by the women is concentrated around the fruit export and other food stuffs. The village of Hanyigba is at the heart of the ancestral traditions of Togo with its various folk groups.
Arrival:
Volunteers must be in Kpalimé at 8am the first day of the project, so please plan on arriving at least the day before if not earlier. Volunteers will be met at the airport IF the volunteer emails arrival details at least a week prior to the start of the project.
Language:
Basic French language skills are required for this project.
Hosting Fee:
120,000 FCFA, the equivalent of £170 payable upon arrival.
Our ancestors, grandparents and our parents, all had their own way of enjoying life, of passing time, of playing games, of creating. All those old leisure activities have now disappeared and young people are losing their cultural identity. That is the reality lived by young people of our urban and rural communities. To confront this situation, education, awareness raising and research are essential, since it is obvious that sooner or later, identifying these old costumes is a necessary step towards a real development of our local communities. ASTOVOT became aware of a lack of creativity in young people which does not allow them to take a step beyond their culture. These are the major reasons for the start of this project based in cultural activities allowing young people to be more creative.
Aims of the project:
The project aims at the creation of various activities for young people namely the setting up of a theatre group commonly called “Kantatata” in Togo. This group will produce plays inspired in the scenes of daily life in our rural and urban areas; revitalisation of the traditionally practised plays which are today in danger of disappearing; introduction of new plays which are sometimes imported from other cultures; creation of a dance and choreography group; manufacture of artistic objects (baskets, water jugs, bow nets, etc.). These various activities will support rather frequent meetings with young people of all the social layers which will also undoubtedly benefit the international volunteers who will through this project discover the reality of Togolese culture.
Work:
1st phase - It will consist in launching a campaign in the media to gather young people of all social layers. With regard to the different plays, a research team will collect as many as possible. They will be charged to study them and to select them in order to be presented to the local youth. 2nd phase - In this period the project itself will take place, as described above. 3rd phase - Presentation in the form of a fair to which the local authorities will be invited.
Accommodation:
The volunteers will be housed together by the village community at the location of the workcamp.
Location:
Agomé Tomégbé is a village located at 15km from Kpalimé. The village lies close to a river called Agato from where the name “Tomégbé” comes from and is surrounded by hills and mountains of which Mount Kloto is the most important. This valley owes its fame from its natural framework and its fresh climate. It is the place dreamed for simply breathing the perfumes of nature. The population is approximately 6000 with a very strong rate of young people. This village contains immense cultural richness. It counts with more than 10 Christian churches, however Animism remains as the dominant religion. It constitutes a good tourist framework which offers the possibility of bathing in the cascades of Agbatui and Kpoéta, which is a small bordering village in Ghana which keeps the reflection of the Ashanti domination and where one does not need visa to go there. It is obviously also very important to mention that in this village there are many buildings that have been made by volunteers. The spirit of warm welcoming of this place has made of it a place of choice during for 4 years to host the training of US Peace Corps volunteers in Togo before their distribution on the territory. It is an excellent place for better knowing the African culture and to better discovering how Togo knows how to preserve its authentic and traditional character.
Arrival:
Volunteers must be in Kpalimé at 8am the first day of the project, so please plan on arriving at least the day before if not earlier. Volunteers will be met at the airport IF the volunteer emails arrival details at least a week prior to the start of the project.
Language:
Basic French language skills are required for this project.
Hosting Fee:
120,000 FCFA, the equivalent of £170 payable upon arrival.
Education in Togo has to face many problems, due to the social and political crisis that disturbs the normal course of the academic years. To try to help to solve this problem, ASTOVOT's committee of summer workcamps proposes school workcamps to fulfil unfinished syllabus and give further lessons on chapters not well understood to assure a good start of the next school term in Primary and Secondary schools. This support is important for the students of rural areas who have less advantage compared to students in towns. Besides, the lessons solve partially the conspicuous lack of school material. Volunteers will work five hours daily mainly in the morning. They will also have social and educational activities with the children in the afternoons. Any eventual school equipment brought by the volunteers is given to the students and schools at the end of the workcamp.
Work:
Work consists in teaching Primary and Secondary school students in basic subjects such as French, Maths, English, Physics, German and general knowledge. Depending on the group, volunteers will participate in activities such as guiding the children in different tasks; working with the children in different workshops (eg. modelling, drawing, playing games, telling tales and songs, dance and music, etc). Volunteers should present typical cultural aspects of their country and can participate in community activities, such as awareness raising on how to promote local development; hygiene; environment protection, etc.
Accommodation:
The volunteers will be housed together by the village community at the location of the workcamp.
Location:
The town of Kpalimé is inhabited by approximately 100 000 people. It is a friendly place situated at 250m altitude. We will visit the arts centre and the weaving workshops of Kpalimé. Here you can find a post-office, telephone, fax, internet, an hospital, a market, banks, video clubs, hotels, bars and restaurants that offer traditional as well as European food and a swimming pool. Taking the route to Kpando up the mountains, you will be passing through cascades, woods of teak and lush vegetation. After some 11 km, one reaches Kloto at 600m altitude. One can make a stop in the comfortable camping where a restaurant, bar and sculptures can be found. Passing some goats, you reach Missahohé, a picturesque site dominated by Mount Kloto (960m), from where you have magnificent views over Kpalimé and Mount Agou. One can ask to visit the Chateau Hausberg, promenade through the beautiful forest of Yoh and see its cascades, numerous flowers, pineapples, avocados and wild mangos.
Arrival:
Volunteers must be in Kpalimé at 8am the first day of the project, so please plan on arriving at least the day before if not earlier. Volunteers will be met at the airport IF the volunteer emails arrival details at least a week prior to the start of the project.
Language:
Basic French language skills are required for this project.
Hosting Fee:
120,000 FCFA, the equivalent of £170 payable upon arrival.
Education in Togo has to face many problems, due to the social and political crisis that disturbs the normal course of the academic years. To try to help to solve this problem, ASTOVOT's committee of summer workcamps proposes school workcamps to fulfil unfinished syllabus and give further lessons on chapters not well understood to assure a good start of the next school term in Primary and Secondary schools. This support is important for the students of rural areas who have less advantage compared to students in towns. Besides, the lessons solve partially the conspicuous lack of school material. Volunteers will work five hours daily mainly in the morning. They will also have social and educational activities with the children in the afternoons. Any eventual school equipment brought by the volunteers is given to the students and schools at the end of the workcamp.
Work:
Work consists in teaching Primary and Secondary school students in basic subjects such as French, Maths, English, Physics, German and general knowledge. Depending on the group, volunteers will participate in activities such as guiding the children in different tasks; working with the children in different workshops (eg. modelling, drawing, playing games, telling tales and songs, dance and music, etc). Volunteers should present typical cultural aspects of their country and can participate in community activities, such as awareness raising on how to promote local development; hygiene; environment protection, etc.
Accommodation:
The volunteers will be housed together by the village community at the location of the workcamp.
Location:
Lavié is a canton of 5 villages located at 12km of Kpalimé on the national road of Atakpamé. It counts approximately with 8000 inhabitants. By this village an assembly line passes which abounds in many farms, villages and two water towers which feeds the village with drinking water. Lavié offers a diversity of ethnic layers which live peacefully in symbiosis. Lavié is equipped with a dispensary, elementary and secondary schools, an arts centre and a large market which becomes animated every Friday in the morning and in the evening. The population is primarily agricultural, more than half are nursery gardeners. The canton of Lavié is the heart of the ancestral traditions of Togo with its various folk groups...and soft tropical fruits are a plenty.
Arrival:
Volunteers must be in Kpalimé at 8am the first day of the project, so please plan on arriving at least the day before if not earlier. Volunteers will be met at the airport IF the volunteer emails arrival details at least a week prior to the start of the project.
Language:
Basic French language skills are required for this project.
Hosting Fee:
120,000 FCFA, the equivalent of £170 payable upon arrival.
Education in Togo has to face many problems, due to the social and political crisis that disturbs the normal course of the academic years. To try to help to solve this problem, ASTOVOT's committee of summer workcamps proposes school workcamps to fulfil unfinished syllabus and give further lessons on chapters not well understood to assure a good start of the next school term in Primary and Secondary schools. This support is important for the students of rural areas who have less advantage compared to students in towns. Besides, the lessons solve partially the conspicuous lack of school material. Volunteers will work five hours daily mainly in the morning. They will also have social and educational activities with the children in the afternoons. Any eventual school equipment brought by the volunteers is given to the students and schools at the end of the workcamp.
Work:
Work consists in teaching Primary and Secondary school students in basic subjects such as French, Maths, English, Physics, German and general knowledge. Depending on the group, volunteers will participate in activities such as guiding the children in different tasks; working with the children in different workshops (eg. modelling, drawing, playing games, telling tales and songs, dance and music, etc). Volunteers should present typical cultural aspects of their country and can participate in community activities, such as awareness raising on how to promote local development; hygiene; environment protection, etc.
Accommodation:
The volunteers will be housed together by the village community at the location of the workcamp.
Location:
Niamtougou lies 350 km far from Kpalimé in the most Northern tip of Togo. This area offers particular and formidable tourist sites, and to reach it, coming from Kpalimé, one needs to cross all the fairy-like landscape and the big spaces of Togo. Niamtougou is a city recognised by its green landscape of palm trees and by the hospitality of its inhabitants. Djeregou is a village located at approximately 10 km of Niamtougou town. From there, you can reach the most marvellous tourist site of Togo, declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO, the Canyon of Alédjo, marvellous rock formations.
Arrival:
Volunteers must be in Kpalimé at 8am the first day of the project, so please plan on arriving at least the day before if not earlier. Volunteers will be met at the airport IF the volunteer emails arrival details at least a week prior to the start of the project.
Language:
Basic French language skills are required for this project.
Hosting Fee:
120,000 FCFA, the equivalent of £170 payable upon arrival.
Education in Togo has to face many problems, due to the social and political crisis that disturbs the normal course of the academic years. To try to help to solve this problem, ASTOVOT's committee of summer workcamps proposes school workcamps to fulfil unfinished syllabus and give further lessons on chapters not well understood to assure a good start of the next school term in Primary and Secondary schools. This support is important for the students of rural areas who have less advantage compared to students in towns. Besides, the lessons solve partially the conspicuous lack of school material. Volunteers will work five hours daily mainly in the morning. They will also have social and educational activities with the children in the afternoons. Any eventual school equipment brought by the volunteers is given to the students and schools at the end of the workcamp.
Work:
Work consists in teaching Primary and Secondary school students in basic subjects such as French, Maths, English, Physics, German and general knowledge. Depending on the group, volunteers will participate in activities such as guiding the children in different tasks; working with the children in different workshops (eg. modelling, drawing, playing games, telling tales and songs, dance and music, etc). Volunteers should present typical cultural aspects of their country and can participate in community activities, such as awareness raising on how to promote local development; hygiene; environment protection, etc.
Accommodation:
The volunteers will be housed together by the village community at the location of the workcamp.
Location:
Kéta Akoda is a village located on the Lomé-Aneho-Togoville road. It is at the heart of ancestral traditions with its various folk groups. It is also a village which seems still inhabited by the power of the Voodoo. The population is approximately 3000, primarily made up of fishermen, farmers and tradesmen. It should be noted that the village is very accessible and it is an excellent place for better knowing the African culture and to better discovering how Togo knows how to preserve its authentic and traditional character.
Arrival:
Volunteers must be in Kpalimé at 8am the first day of the project, so please plan on arriving at least the day before if not earlier. Volunteers will be met at the airport IF the volunteer emails arrival details at least a week prior to the start of the project.
Language:
Basic French language skills are required for this project.
Hosting Fee:
120,000 FCFA, the equivalent of £170 payable upon arrival.
Education in Togo has to face many problems, due to the social and political crisis that disturbs the normal course of the academic years. To try to help to solve this problem, ASTOVOT's committee of summer workcamps proposes school workcamps to fulfil unfinished syllabus and give further lessons on chapters not well understood to assure a good start of the next school term in Primary and Secondary schools. This support is important for the students of rural areas who have less advantage compared to students in towns. Besides, the lessons solve partially the conspicuous lack of school material. Volunteers will work five hours daily mainly in the morning. They will also have social and educational activities with the children in the afternoons. Any eventual school equipment brought by the volunteers is given to the students and schools at the end of the workcamp.
Work:
Work consists in teaching Primary and Secondary school students in basic subjects such as French, Maths, English, Physics, German and general knowledge. Depending on the group, volunteers will participate in activities such as guiding the children in different tasks; working with the children in different workshops (eg. modelling, drawing, playing games, telling tales and songs, dance and music, etc). Volunteers should present typical cultural aspects of their country and can participate in community activities, such as awareness raising on how to promote local development; hygiene; environment protection, etc.
Volunteers will also work on reforestation in the area.
Accommodation:
The volunteers will be housed together by the village community at the location of the workcamp.
Arrival:
Volunteers must be in Kpalimé at 8am the first day of the project, so please plan on arriving at least the day before if not earlier. Volunteers will be met at the airport IF the volunteer emails arrival details at least a week prior to the start of the project.
Language:
Basic French language skills are required for this project.
Hosting Fee:
120,000 FCFA, the equivalent of £170 payable upon arrival.
Education in Togo has to face many problems, due to the social and political crisis that disturbs the normal course of the academic years. To try to help to solve this problem, ASTOVOT's committee of summer workcamps proposes school workcamps to fulfil unfinished syllabus and give further lessons on chapters not well understood to assure a good start of the next school term in Primary and Secondary schools. This support is important for the students of rural areas who have less advantage compared to students in towns. Besides, the lessons solve partially the conspicuous lack of school material. Volunteers will work five hours daily mainly in the morning. They will also have social and educational activities with the children in the afternoons. Any eventual school equipment brought by the volunteers is given to the students and schools at the end of the workcamp.
Work:
Work consists in teaching Primary and Secondary school students in basic subjects such as French, Maths, English, Physics, German and general knowledge. Depending on the group, volunteers will participate in activities such as guiding the children in different tasks; working with the children in different workshops (eg. modelling, drawing, playing games, telling tales and songs, dance and music, etc). Volunteers should present typical cultural aspects of their country and can participate in community activities, such as awareness raising on how to promote local development; hygiene; environment protection, etc.
Volunteers will also work in the renovation of the local library.
Accommodation:
The volunteers will be housed together by the village community at the location of the workcamp.
Arrival:
Volunteers must be in Kpalimé at 8am the first day of the project, so please plan on arriving at least the day before if not earlier. Volunteers will be met at the airport IF the volunteer emails arrival details at least a week prior to the start of the project.
Language:
Basic French language skills are required for this project.
Hosting Fee:
120,000 FCFA, the equivalent of £170 payable upon arrival.
« I would recommend participating in a workcamp, especially with VAP, who ensured that I found a project to suit me and provided essential training for me in preparation for my trip. Being part of a workcamp really is a life-changing experience, oh, and it looks great on your CV! »
