MATTEO BASILE

My First Week in Togo

It’s been almost a week since I arrived in Lomé, Togo, for my volunteering experience with Hälsa International, and I already have so many emotions about it.

I’ve loved every single moment so far — from the people I’ve met to the meaningful work we’ve been doing. It’s been incredibly interesting to dive into the topic of child and street child protection.

Even though it’s only been a week, I’ve truly fallen in love with this place. I love the Togolese culture, the rhythm of life here, and above all, how warm and welcoming people are. From the moment I stepped off the plane, I felt at home. It’s honestly a shame that I’ll be here for only a month — I wish I could stay longer!

Working with Hälsa International has been equally rewarding. The organization runs many different activities across Lomé, working in several neighborhoods and community centers. It’s inspiring to see how they manage to reach so many people, creating impact throughout the city rather than focusing on a single area.

Of course, I’ve also had my first taste of local life — and food! I’ve tried rice dishes, like Djenkoumé, Aloko or fufu, and so many other local specialties. Everything is delicious, although I have to admit… the spice level is definitely a challenge for me!

I’ve also started exploring some parts of Lomé, and I can already tell that this experience will only get better as time goes on. Working with children is a delicate and deeply emotional task, but I’m grateful for the support and guidance Hälsa International provides. They make sure we understand how to handle every situation with care and sensitivity.

Overall, I’m incredibly happy to be here. I can’t wait to see what the next few weeks will bring — I’m sure they’ll be full of learning, connection, and unforgettable moments.

Volunteering Experience in Togo

Week Two in Togo: Finding My Rhythm

The second week in Lomé was an important one — it gave me a much clearer understanding of the work we’re actually doing. While the first week felt a bit overwhelming, with many things still unclear, this week we started to feel more comfortable in the field, more familiar with our tasks, and more confident in our role.

As planned, we spent time working in the garden, side by side with the women beneficiaries of the project. This week we even had a visit from potential donors — a reminder of the wider impact these initiatives can have.

Another day, we went on a Maraude in a new neighborhood. Our goal was to identify and register children living on the streets, so they can be involved in future activities and receive the support they need. It’s a challenging but deeply rewarding experience, seeing firsthand the importance of this work.

We also participated in an empowerment session for women living along Lomé’s beaches, a space for sharing, learning, and supporting each other. Later in the week, we returned to the garden, continuing to nurture the plants and make progress on the garden project.

Our week ended with the Mobile School in Fréau Jardin, a space where children living on the streets can learn and play, even if they don’t have access to formal schooling. Seeing the kids engage, laugh, and learn despite their difficult circumstances was incredibly touching.

Reflecting on this week, I feel that I’m slowly finding my rhythm and starting to understand the broader picture of the projects we are involved in. The work can be challenging, emotionally heavy at times, but it’s also deeply rewarding. I’m learning that impact isn’t always immediate or obvious — sometimes, it’s in the small moments, the smiles, and the connections we build.

Week Three in Togo: Awareness, Reflection, and Connection

The third week in Lomé was another opportunity to revisit and deepen the activities we had started in the previous weeks. As planned, we carried out many of the same initiatives, but each repetition brought new insights and moments of connection.

One of the most notable highlights of this week was an awareness session for children on topics such as abuse and harassment, led by Carlotta, another ESC volunteer, and Liman from the local staff. It was a powerful session, and I was struck by the children’s attentiveness and engagement.

I should probably mention — if I haven’t already — that my main role on the team is as the photographer, documenting our work and the people we meet, while also participating in the activities alongside the rest of the team. This dual role is both challenging and rewarding. Photographing such sensitive situations requires care, respect, and a constant awareness of the vulnerability of our subjects. Every shot is not just a picture, but a story, a moment, and a human connection captured.

This week also included a session with around 35 women living along Lomé’s beaches, focused on sexual and reproductive health. This initiative was carried out in collaboration with ForHer, a local Togolese NGO. It was inspiring to see the women actively participate, ask questions, and engage in meaningful discussions about their health and rights.

Reflecting on week three, I feel my understanding of the work and its impact is deepening day by day. Beyond the routines and tasks, it’s the moments of learning, laughter, and shared effort that make these weeks so fulfilling. Each session, each conversation, and each photograph contributes to a larger story.

Week Four in Togo: Goodbyes and New Beginnings

The fourth week in Lomé felt different — a bit strange, even. It was the moment when everything had finally started to feel familiar: the rhythm of the days, the work with the team, the faces of the people we met every week. Yet, at the same time, we knew our time here was coming to an end. That mix of comfort and sadness made this week particularly emotional.

One of our main activities took place on the beach, where we conducted surveys with local women to better understand their current vulnerabilities and needs. We worked in pairs with members of the local team, which made the process more efficient and, above all, more personal through talks directly to the women, listening to their stories.

Later in the week, we carried out a night maraude in new neighborhoods — walking through the streets after dark to observe and register children living there, and to better understand how they spend their nights. It was a moving and sometimes difficult experience, revealing once again the complex realities that many of these children face daily.

We also hosted an art workshop at our office, inviting women and children to express themselves through creativity. After the workshop, we shared a meal cooked by our organization and distributed clothing to the participants. Sitting together, eating, talking, and laughing made the day meaningful.

Still, despite the warmth of these experiences, it was hard to say goodbye. The week felt incomplete in some ways; I wished I could have stayed longer to see how the projects would continue to grow and to better grasp the long-term impact of our work. It’s not easy to leave when you finally start to feel at home.

As I reflect on this final week, I realize how much this month in Togo has changed me. I’ve learned about the challenges and beauty of grassroots work, the importance of listening, and the strength that comes from collaboration.

Leaving Lomé is bittersweet, but I know that the memories, lessons, and faces from these weeks will stay with me for a long time.