Workcamp Details

Description: The "Cultural and Artistic Immersion" camp is a crossroads of cultural expression and popular education. Every summer, many international and local volunteers are welcomed to this international workcamp in order to discover the richness of Togolese culture in all its diversity. For three weeks, the festival offers several cultural and artistic activities in a popular education approach. For ASTOVOT, it is about bringing art and culture closer to the people who live in rural areas, to make them move, sing, dance, laugh and smile. The theme of this year's camp is to promote gender equality and gender issues in the local context.

Type of Work: Percussion, dance and singing courses to the rhythms of the Djembe and other traditional instruments for international volunteers; Casting of folk and traditional groups for the climax show; Batik workshops: learning and designing souvenir cloths; Basket making workshops; Organisation of a live concert and exhibition on the second weekend of the work camp; Caravan to raise awareness of the volunteers on the theme of the workcamp with signs; Organisation and programming of the folklore and traditional groups' show; Presentation of participation certificates and awards; Maintenance and development of sites Organisation of a football gala of the village girls; Discussion group with villagers on the role of men and women; Immersion in farming families

Study Theme: To propose an intercultural exchange offer through the valorisation of cultural, artistic and craft heritage ; To raise awareness of gender equality by taking into account local realities

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: The village of Kuma-Apoti is one of the ten villages of Kuma Canton (Kloto prefecture). It is located to the northwest of the town of Kpalimé. Its relief consists of a vast plateau and wooded mountains. Kuma-Apoti is located in a humid area and its climate, very particular for Togo, is much cooler and "temperate" than that of Lomé. The village's economy is essentially based on agriculture, around which some commercial, craft and tourist activities revolve. The products from which the population derives a meagre income are coffee and cocoa.

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.