Volunteer in Togo

Social and educational activities with mentally challenged children in Togo
Kpalime       2 - 10 months

Volunteer project: This long-term project is organized in support of a Center for mentally challenged children located in Kpalimé. The children are 7 to 15 years old with Down's syndrome or cerebral palsy. Disabled children are often marginalized and rejected by society, and considered a burden or a curse for their families. The primary purpose of the center is to facilitate the integration of disabled children by offering academic education and vocational training taking into account the skills of each child. Therefore the center is trying to improve conditions for the children to recover and allow them to live as independently as possible. It proved important that action be made to ensure these children have a satisfactory education and training that will ensure a better future for them.
Volunteers are needed to make up for the lack of teaching staff in the center. Volunteer also help put children and local staff in contact with another culture and bring intercultural exchanges which enrich and benefit everyone.

The volunteers will take part in the following activities:
• Assisting teachers in their daily work with the children
• Helping the educators to supervise children during the different activities
• Work with children in different workshops: modeling and making various objects, collage and drawing, games, talking, music and dance, stories and songs
• Doing cultural and artistic activities
• Presenting cultural aspects typical of the volunteer's country: songs, dances, games, etc.

Special requirements: The volunteers for this project must be able to work and communicate well with children. Patience, open-mindedness, good listening skills are appreciated. Experience in speech therapy, social work, physiotherapy, special education, psychology, teaching, massage therapy is an asset.

Language: English

Duration of the project: 2-10 months. The project is running from October to July.

Accommodation: The volunteers will live with a host family which is an opportunity to learn about the local community, culture and language. Volunteers are expected to be sensitive to the local culture and make an effort to integrate into the community. So the most important qualities we are looking for are enthusiasm, flexibility and willingness to experience something completely new.

Age range: 18 and over

Participation fee: $690

Extra fee: 562 Euro for 2 months; 826 Euro for 3 months; 1,566 Euro for 6 month;
The extra fee is intended to support the local host of the project who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival.

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Support the work of medical centers in Togo
Kpalime       2 - 12 months

Volunteer project: This project was initiated in response to requests made by medical centers in Kpalimé and in Agou-Nyogbo (12 km from Kpalimé). The project aims to alleviate the shortage of staff at these health centers which cannot afford to hire sufficient personnel. The project is open to health care specialists: doctors, midwives, nurses, laboratory technicians, biologists, or students who wish to improve their knowledge and experience in tropical medicine.

The volunteers will assist the staff in treating and assisting patients. The centers have testing laboratories, medical departments and maternity wards where the volunteers can work.

Volunteer responsibilities:
• Assisting the nursing staff
• Consulting patients and pregnant women (prenatal consultation)
• Performing minor surgery for minor accidents
• Weighing children
• Vaccinations
• Carrying out family planning sessions
• Carrying out biomedical tests

Special requirements: A background in the healthcare field.

Language: English

Duration of the project: 2-12 months

Accommodation: The volunteers will live with a host family which is an opportunity to learn about the local community, culture and language. Volunteers are expected to be sensitive to the local culture and make an effort to integrate into the community. So the most important qualities we are looking for are enthusiasm, flexibility and willingness to experience something completely new.

Age range: 18 and over

Participation fee: $690

Extra fee: 562 Euro for 2 months; 826 Euro for 3 months; 1,566 Euro for 6 month;
The extra fee is intended to support the local host of the project who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival.

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