Projects Abroad in Togo

  Togo

Lome

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: Year Round/Rolling Starts

Description: A narrow sliver of land sandwiched between Ghana and Benin in West Africa, at its widest point Togo is just 68 miles from East to West. It is a Franco-African melting pot which has beaches, jungles and, by spanning six distinct climatic zones from north to south, a great deal in between.

Although Togo became independent of France in 1960, French influence still exists everywhere with French remaining the first language, although you will hear a host of other tribal dialects spoken across the country. It's not just the language that was influenced - there are boulangeries across the country selling delicious croissants and baguettes!

Togo is full of unusual and interesting characters whether on the local market stall, the fetish market or in the soccer stadium. From peasants specializing in traditional medicine offering to sell you an expensive twig to ex-French Foreign Legionnaires, they are often keen to stop you for a chat. You can also visit Lomé's clubs and restaurants, to sample African food reputed to be the best in West Africa or try some traditional dancing to frenetic drum beats. But watch out for some of the home-made alcoholic brews which can be extremely potent!

Volunteer work opportunities for you in Togo

Projects Abroad is based in Lomé, the capital city, just three hours drive from our larger Accra office across the border in Ghana. In Lomé volunteers can take part in a Teaching, Care or Human Rights projects.

As a teaching volunteer you will work with high school children in large but basic schools in Lomé. Care volunteers help vulnerable children in orphanages and nurseries around the capital, while Human Rights volunteers focus on women's issues in the West African regional office of WILDAF - the Women, Law and Development in Africa organization.

Volunteers stay with local Togolese host families in Lomé, who are famous for their generous hospitality, and pride in their home country.

Highlights: Togo is also an excellent starting point for travel around neighboring West African countries, whether you are interested in discovering the history of mysterious voodoo in Benin or fancy heading west along the coast to Ghana's sandy beaches and haunting slave forts.

All accommodation is organized, paid for and monitored by Projects Abroad. All project placements are regularly visited and checked. We require high standards of supervision and accommodation, which are verified before you arrive in Togo.

This project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications: none

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Open-minded with a willingness to travel.

Age Range: 16-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Togo Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 2-5

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992