Volunteer

• Triage occurs during Ministry Week, which occurs every five weeks, ten times per year.
• A few of our team members will act as your interpreters and assistants. They have also gained experience through previous volunteers, so they can help identify medical problems.
• Sight.org actively seeks donations for supplies to help lower costs, but our stock is often depleted. Besides the cost of travel, we recommend budgeting $2,000 for medical supplies. Most of the supplies can be purchased in Togo, and our team can buy them before your arrival.
• We have a comprehensive list of supplies recommended by previous volunteers. View the list here.

We thank God that, since its inception, Sight.org has had no incidents of assault and only a couple of minor incidents of theft. Theft is greatly looked down on in Togolese culture, especially in the rural regions where we serve. The main thing is to lock your hotel room when you leave and to keep items secure in your tent or person. Don’t bring jewelry or flash money; have a safe way to carry your belongings (i.e., Shoulder bag, sling, or backpack). Don’t wander off at night on your own. If you want to go for a walk or explore, ask a team member if it is safe and request someone to join you. The team knows this country well, so rely on them and their judgment. They are your guides.

While at the hotel in Lome, we ask that you refrain from exploring outside the hotel premises. Lome is a large city; like any large city, there are more significant safety and security concerns.

While at the hospital compound, rest assured that the team is watching out for you and your belongings, but be aware that there are many patients and strangers that we do not know. Fortunately, since 2012, we have never experienced a theft or assault while staying at a hospital. In addition to all of our team being there, hospitals usually have their security, and we also benefit from being well-known and favored by the community. If you ever have a concern, don’t hesitate to bring it to a team member’s attention.

Driving in Africa can be a little scary. But for Africa, this is normal. Fortunately, we have great drivers, and since 2012, there has only been one driving incident, and it was minor and without injury.

For the most up-to-date information on Togo’s safety and travel requirements, we recommend looking up Togo’s travel advisory from the US Department of State.

On the night of your arrival and the night before departure, you will sleep at a French-owned hotel on the beach called Hotel Robinson Plage. This hotel has a beautiful ambiance, with great food, comfortable air-conditioned rooms, and hot showers. This hotel is a favorite for tourists and missionaries and has a family-friendly environment. It’s also a short 25-minute drive from the airport.

Note: Unfortunately, prostitution can be seen in many of the hotels. One reason we choose to stay at Hotel Robinson Plage is because the owners restrict prostitution to maintain a family-friendly environment. If you see otherwise, please let us know so we can express our concerns to hotel management.

Prepare for the rest of the trip for camping-style sleep conditions within a hospital compound. Our team travels to hospitals all over Togo, so we utilize high-end two-person canvas tents for sleeping. Your tent will be clean and lightly used, and you will be the only person in your tent. For toilet and shower, the hospital designates one toilet and shower to be utilized solely by Sight.org, and the Sight.org team will clean it before your arrival. When the hospital does not have a sufficient toilet or shower, we rent a nearby hotel room for the team to access the toilet and shower.

In addition, the tents will be equipped with a twin mattress and clean sheets. Our hospitality team can wash your clothes as needed, and the cooks are on-site to prepare and serve all your meals. The water for the showers is cold, but the hospitality team can heat water at your request. If you need anything, the team is there to help. Our hospitality team and cooks are very accommodating and will do anything they can to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

There are nearby hotels where you can choose to stay, but we highly recommend sleeping in our tents rather than the local hotels. The tents are clean and mosquito-free, with large screens to take advantage of the night’s breeze. The hotels, however, usually are what you would consider 1-star hotels. Most have an issue keeping the mosquitos out and are stuffy, and we cannot ensure their cleanliness or that they take the proper security measures against theft.

The food served at the hotel and by the team is adequately prepared, and you should enjoy it without fear. At the hotel, the meals are Western, and with the team, the meals are African. The African meals are genuinely delicious, rice-based, with tasty sauces. On occasion, the cooks may serve something you don’t like. It’s okay to communicate with the cooks if your Western tongue does not agree.

Don’t eat strange food off the street without asking one of the team members, and then know that you are doing so at your own risk.

If you struggle with spice or have food allergies, please communicate this in the application process.

Please do not drink the local tap water or from the little sacks of water; instead, drink bottled water only. If someone offers you tap water or a sack of water, the appropriate response is, “No, thank you.” We will provide large bottles of safe drinking water throughout your trip.

Volunteers pay their way and assume all costs during travel.

While with the team, food is prepared by the team and is inexpensive, and you would sleep in a tent at no cost to you.

• Flights: $1,500–$2,200
• Passport: $160
• Visa: $45
• Yellow fever vaccine: $210
• Other vaccinations (consult your doctor): $400
• Malaria medication (consult your doctor): $130
• Hotels: $260
• In-country transportation: $60
• Food at hotels and during travel: $120
• Food while with the team: $60 per week
• Water: $35 per week
• Unforeseen and personal: $200-500

We also have a list of recommended items for you to bring under “What should I bring.”

Except for “unforeseen and personal funds,” funds for in-country expenses will be given to your in-country host upon arrival. They will then exchange and manage the funds on your behalf and give you all the receipts at the end of your trip. The amount your host needs to manage will be determined after confirming your trip agenda. You can also have your host exchange some or all of your “personal funds,” but we recommend you go to them for assistance when making a purchase. Handling unfamiliar currencies can be confusing; people may take advantage of the opportunity at times.