Workcamp Details

Description: Like most developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Togo faces several major challenges related to youth employment. These include the rapid increase in the working-age population and the difficulties of integrating young people into the labour market. Despite the employability programmes put in place by the Togolese government to promote youth entrepreneurship, a large majority of young people still lack the technical and financial support to undertake their own business. Aware of this situation, ASTOVOT has been initiating for a few years a training course in entrepreneurship for young people in order to share the necessary tools for the creation and management of economic activities.

Type of Work: The main objective of the work camp is to encourage young people leaving technical, vocational or apprenticeship training to start their own business; To provide the necessary tools to start and manage a small business; Encourage initiative and build self-confidence among young entrepreneurs; Exchanging ideas and strategies with young entrepreneurs who already have their own businesses; Train on environmental criteria, gender equality in setting up their businesses. Selection of fifteen young people at the end of vocational training and apprenticeship or young entrepreneurs who need to improve their business; Elaboration of a questionnaire for the creation of a business; Carrying out feasibility studies of project ideas; Analysis and feedback of the results of the feasibility studie

Study Theme: This initiative consists of promoting entrepreneurship as an alternative to youth unemployment and giving a chance to young people excluded from traditional financial services. For this year, the aim is to identify and support young people aged 18 to 35 leaving vocational training centres or apprenticeships (catering, sewing, hairdressing, carpentry, upholstery, crafts, etc.) with the ambition of launching their own businesses. The project also targets young entrepreneurs (18 to 35 years old) with a potential to further increase their economic activities.

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.