Immersion in the Mother Teresa Home
Breakdown:
- Accommodation and food: 20.00 Euro
- Transportation: 20.00 Euro
- Activities: 125.00 Euro
- Hosting organisation support: 55 Euro
Description: The "Mother Teresa of Calcutta" reception centre in Kpalimé is one of the local partners with which ASTOVOT carries out social and health projects for the benefit of dozens of residents of this centre. These residents are taken in by the Sisters because they are in a situation of extreme poverty or because they have been abandoned and therefore have no family to look after them. Often these people have no shelter, no food and are chronically ill or disabled. The services provided in this centre are multiple, varied and free of charge. The volunteers will have to carry out several tasks: helping the nurses of the centre in their various tasks, organising recreational and educational activities for the benefit of the residents, cleaning, cooking, maintaining the premises, etc.
Type of Work: Volunteers take part in the centre's activities. These are many and varied. Maintaining the green space of the centre (gardening, sharecropping, sweeping...) Participate in the household tasks: preparation and distribution of meals to the residents, cleaning the dormitories, washing up... ; Organizing games and fun and educational activities for the benefit of the residents; Helping the nursing staff in the care of the patients of the centre: treatment of patients, distribution of medicines, hygiene, dressings, physiotherapy, massages...etc.
Study Theme: The objective of this international workcamp is to contribute to the improvement of the development of the sick and vulnerable people taken in by the "Mother Teresa of Calcutta" shelter in Kpalimé. To help the staff of the centre in their daily tasks in order to lighten their workload, and to promote a warm atmosphere through animation with the residents and workers; To learn about other realities, in particular disabilities and how society responds to the needs of vulnerable people; Reflect on the intersectionality of issues such as gender, poverty and disability.
Accommodation: Accommodation is generally basic and specific to the location. The number of people per room depends on the collective organisation of the volunteers themselves. Depending on the location, volunteers may use dry toilets and showers without running water. This means that volunteers will have to fetch water from a fountain or a well. We provide volunteers with plastic or foam mats. Volunteers who have sleeping bags, sleeping mats and a mosquito net can bring them with them. Access to drinking water on the site. However, access to electricity and internet may be limited depending on the village.
Language: The languages of the project are French and then English. However, we recommend that non-French speaking volunteers have a basic knowledge of French before their arrival as the official language of Togo is French. The vast majority of local volunteers and communities have a very low level of English.
Requirements: This project requires a high level of motivation on the part of the volunteers, as it involves a permanent mobilisation of the volunteers around the organised activities. Volunteers must have a real interest in interculturality and solidarity.
Approximate Location: Located 120 km north of Lomé, the commune of Kpalimé is the ideal place for nature lovers and hikers who wish to discover beautiful mountainous landscapes and tropical flora. Numerous natural waterfalls will allow you to refresh yourself at the water's edge. With about 105,000 inhabitants, Kpalimé is a tourist town in the Plateaux region. The capital of the Kloto prefecture, Kpalimé is home to numerous infrastructures and all public and administrative services are represented. You will find also art shops, shopping centres, bars, restaurants, discotheques, etc.
Notes: During the workcamp, the volunteers will cook their own meals. An internal organisation will allow for the creation of groups that will alternate to carry out the different domestic tasks, including cooking. Food products used for cooking are sometimes imported, local and organic. The diet of each volunteer will be taken into account in the preparation of meals. Volunteers will have access to tropical fruits such as bananas, oranges, pineapples, mangoes, avocados, papayas, etc In addition to the main activities of the workcamp, other activities are organised such as: discovery walks, hikes, festive outings and cultural meetings. It should be noted that the expenses related to the excursions and the volunteers' outings are not included in the participation fees.