Renovation & Leisure: Astovot Library

For several years ASTOVOT has been involved in setting up social and community facilities, in particular the construction of mini-libraries in the local communities where it operates. One of the libraries, called "Agbalényo", meaning "knowledge is good" in Ewé (the local language), which is located at the association's head office, is in need of renovation and refurbishment. The aim of this work camp is to fit out the interior of this small library to make it attractive and comfortable for the children and young people of the Zomayi neighbourhood. Over sixty children use the library every week. The renovation will be accompanied by socio-educational activities in the afternoons to enable the volunteers working on this workcamp to rub shoulders with the local children. OBJECTIVES  To make the interior of the library more attractive through masonry and painting work; Fitting out the reading area: repairing, arranging and maintaining furniture, books and other items; Organise and lead socio-educational and leisure activities with the children in the afternoons; TASKS FOR VOLUNTEERS :  Empty the library: remove furniture and books;  Help the mason with the floor covering and tiling work;  Paint the inside of the library: choose paints, sand the walls, whitewash, paint, decorate and clean;  Refurbishing the library after the work: installation, layout, maintenance and repairs;  Organise and involve the children in the socio-educational and leisure activities on offer;

Accommodation is generally basic, simple and specific to the project location. On site, volunteers are accommodated in groups of three or four people per room. The number of people per room depends on how the volunteers themselves organise the group. In some places, volunteers can use dry toilets and showers without water inside. This means that volunteers will have to fetch water from a fountain or well. The association provides volunteers with plastic or foam mats. Volunteers who have sleeping bags can bring them with them if possible. Access to drinking water on site. During the work camp, the volunteers will cook their own meals. An internal organisation will create groups that will alternate to carry out the various domestic tasks domestic tasks, including cooking. The food products used for cooking are imported, local and organic. The diet of each volunteer will be taken into taken into account when preparing meals. Volunteers will have access to tropical fruit such as bananas, oranges, pineapples, mangoes, avocados, papayas, etc. Along side the main activities of the work camp, other activities are organised, such as discovery walks, hikes, festive outings and cultural encounters. These activities enable the volunteers to come into contact with the local population and to discover Togolese culture.

Kpalimé is about an hour and a half's drive from Lomé and is set in a beautiful natural environment. Located in south-west Togo, the area surrounding the town is lush and fertile, encircled by thickly wooded hills, deep valleys and small farming villages. Kpalimé is also the country's most important craft centre, home to a large number of artists and craftsmen: woodcarvers, batikeur, potters, weavers, calabash-makers, etc. The many "nature" walks and hikes take you along the paths to discover the daily life of the local people, who live mainly from agriculture.