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International Volunteer Work in Togo
A narrow sliver of land sandwiched between Ghana and Benin in West Africa, at its widest point Togo is just 110 kilometers from East to West. It is a Franco-African melting pot with beaches, jungles and by spanning six distinct climatic zones from north to south, a great deal in between.
Although Togo became independent from France in 1960, French influence still exists everywhere. French remains the first official 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!
You are bound to happen upon unusual and interesting characters in Togo, whether at the local market stall or soccer stadium. From peasants specializing in traditional medicine offering to sell you an expensive twig to ex-French Foreign Legionnaires, they are eager 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 drumbeats. But watch out for some of the homemade alcoholic brews, which can be extremely potent!
Volunteer Work Opportunities in Togo with Projects Abroad
Projects Abroad is based in the capital city of Togo, Lomé, just a three hour 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 secondary 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 country.
Travel and Tourism in Togo
Travel in and around Togo is cheap and easy. You can travel by local bus or in a shared taxi. In the South, you will want to visit the tropical lakes and lagoons. In the North, you can visit hills, waterfalls, and coffee plantations. A sight not to miss is the Forêt de Fazao National Park.
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.