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Renovation projects

CDH Volunteering Program for renovation of a rural school building.

Project name: TYPE B

TYPE B is to renovate rural school buildings.

Field: Education

CDH

Renovation of school classes in the field of education work

Context and work involved

TOGO was a German colony with some school construction.  It became independent in 1960 under French supervision.  Around that time several state schools were established across the country.  In the region of Klote - Kpalimé the few remaining of these schools are in a dilapidated state, having walls with cracks through which you can look. 

The class verandahs have pitted with massive holes which fill with water.  The school roofs are partly missing where nails holding roof panels have fallen out, and it rains in side classrooms.  Unpainted walls produce a gloomy setting ofr young learners.  This situation is catastrophic for the future of schools in these villages, with the risk that the schoolchildren may be injured. Even more modern schools are impractical and uninspiring warehouses buildings. We are therefore looking for volunteers willing to help with the renovation or reconstruction of a school in a village near Kpalimé.

This project offers the opportunity to bring skills and technical and financial support for an enriching experience that transforms the education and lives of schoolchildren and the village.

Mission of the Volunteer

General objective of the mission:

Renovate and reconstruct school classrooms in rural areas.

Specific objectives of the mission

- Painting of the walls, carpentry for the roofs, and masonry for the verandahs and classroom walls.

- Mobilising of volunteers around these activities.

- Preparing building work requiring professional input.

- Distributing work equably among teams of three people, two locals and one expatriate.

- Initiating work by volunteers painting masonry and carrying out carpentry.

Missions / Activities

  • Elaboration of an action plan for the renovation, working with the presence of appropriate professionals in renovation, painting and others specialist activities.
  • Installation of necessary site work tools under the guidance of professionals.
  • Learning how to craft work tools on site for painting and basting.
  • Search for locally available water and fine sand.
  • Preparation of quicklime with water to form required paints.
  • Learn how to mix cement and water for cementing decking holes and wall cracks and other locations.
  • Learn or bring painting, masonry, plastering, carpentry and other building skills.
CDH

Strategy

To achieve this project we seek:

  • Volunteers, expatriates in teams of twelve for work camps.
  • Several groups of twelve volunteers.  A group of scouts are particularly recommended.
  • Participation costs enabling the project, including accommodation and food.
  • Purchases of materials for paints and lime, and tools for repairing buildings.
  • Professional in specialisms such as masonry, whitewash and carpentry.
  • Donations from volunteers to carry out activities.
  • Potential funding to accompany the support of the school so that they can take care of their infrastructure anytime.
CDH 2012 Volunteering

Expected results

Painted walls, repaired verandahs and roofs, wall cracks filled and other renovation completed: the school buildings renewed.

THE POSSIBILITIES OFFERED TO VOLUNTEERS

- Direct contact with the population.

- Sharing of values ​​from the work camp through cultural exchange.

- A special excursion led by Centre des Hommes for volunteers.

- Discover a new culture and traditions, especially those of the EWES peoples.

- Discover the cultures, languages, cuisines, folklore and traditions of local and international volunteers.

- Leisure activities such as walks, outings, parties, African cuisine, entertainment, and an insight into African life.

- Involvement with, and understanding of the African communal approach to life through cultural activities such as drawing, theatre, reading, etc..

- Experience of active participation in a renovation project and learning about intercultural relations.

- A certificate for participation in a CDH volunteering program in Togo.

- The certificate can be used for a CV and as evidence in a job search for students.

- Life-changing experience and the gaining of new life skills.

VOLUNTEER CONDUCT

All volunteers are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful, honest and disciplined manner. They should abide by the reasonable requests of Center des Hommes staff. They are expected to inform their local supervisor of any trip away from the work area. CDH reserves the right to exclude anyone who behaves in an inappropriate way.

THE LOCATION

Kpalimé and its surrounding villages.

Kpalimé is a city located in the southwest of Togo, in the prefecture of Kloto. It is a city where agriculture is the main activity, from where comes more than 50% of the agricultural wealth of the country. Kpalimé is in Togo's mountainous region, with panoramic views, rivers, forests and tourist activities such as mountain walking and going to little-known waterfalls etc. Kpalimé is a city of artists, where most of the young people find their income from arts of all kinds. Around it are villages with real need is felt and calls on us to intervene.  The volunteering programs are focused on these villages.

TIMES DURATION

Short-term stay volunteering for school renovation activities.  Duration of 21 days is possible with an emphasis on renovation.

NB: Long-term stay is not currently available.

CDH volunteer program about renovation

Centre Des Hommes one of its school classroom renovation volunteering program

Participation fees

Each expatriate volunteer must pay a participation fee of € 700 euro to the NGO Centre des Hommes. This pays for accommodation, food, travel from Lomé to the work camp place, management of the project during the entire stay, and above all, for the project.  It also helps volunteers who cannot afford the participation fee to participate in the program.  Special outings are provided by the CDH from the participation fee.  For the best functioning of the project, we try to recruit volunteer groups of 20 people at a time.

Learn more about Participation Fees.

Information:

Any volunteers who will come to our project or program must receive an invitation letter, signed by the Executive Director of CDH. This invitation letter contains the reason for travel, the duration and so on. In addition to the invitation letter some other documents may be sent to the volunteer, or may be required from the volunteer, as proof of the right to enter the country. We invite you to contact us and make sure that you hold the necessary documentation before you leave from your country to Togo.

Learn more about Volunteer Useful Information.

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