Frequently Asked Questions

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Our Group Mission can be a maximum of 2 weeks long (usually 7 to 10 days) depending on the needs in the field and supply availability.

The length of an individual mission ranges from a minimum of 2 weeks up to 6 months with the possibility to extend after that period of time at the request of the volunteer.

A nonrefundable registration fee of 150 must be paid once your application is accepted. The program fee of $750 /week will be due in full at least 60 days prior to departure. Program fees will cover:

• Costs associated with the clinic (medical supplies, 
• Lodging
• Transportation
• Food
• Tips for services provided to the UMA team
• All logistics, including translation services and security as needed

Additional Cost the Volunteer is Responsible for:

• International and domestic flights to Togo. You have the option to fly independently, or on a group flight with UMA
• Passport fees, visa fees, and transit fees, including baggage or overnight accommodations/meals while in transit
• Required or recommended insurance
• Vaccinations and medications common for travel
• Spending money for souvenirs and personal purchases
• Required or desired mission supplies, personal equipment, or small gifts for the special people you meet
• Any lodging, meals, and transportation outside of the scheduled team mission, payable at the time of service to the local vendor
• COVID-related fees such as testing, vaccinations, and quarantines as required by in-country arrival/departure or USA arrival/departure

For more information please contact us. 

A nonrefundable registration fee of $85 must be paid once your application is accepted. The program fee of $1165 will be due in full at least 60 days prior to your departure.

The program fee covers:

• Costs associated with the clinic (medical supplies, Medicine and accessories)
• Lodging
• Transportation
• Food
• Tips for services provided to the UMA team
• All logistics, including translation services and security (as needed)

Additional Cost the Volunteer is Responsible for:

• International and domestic flights to Togo. You have the option to fly independently, or on a group flight with UMA
• Passport fees, visa fees, and transit fees, including baggage or overnight accommodations/meals while in transit
• Required or recommended insurance
• Vaccinations and common medications for travel
• Spending money for souvenirs and personal purchases
• Required or desired mission supplies, personal equipment, or small gifts for the special people you will meet
• Any lodging, meals, and transportation outside of the scheduled team mission, payable at the time of service to the local vendor
• COVID-related fees such as testing, vaccinations, and quarantines as required by in-country arrival/departure or USA arrival/departure

For more information, please  contact us. 

• Minimum age of 18 years old at the mission start date
• Have an unexpired passport and necessary documents to apply for a visa. 
• Participant must be able to provide a clean background check if necessary.
• Up- to- date on recommended vaccines including, but not limited to, yellow fever, typhoid fever, rabies, meningococcal meningitis, Cholera, hepatitis B, covid, and flu.
• Able to purchase health and travel Insurance
• Speaking French or other local languages is not necessary but having a basic level of French will enhance your overall experience. (A translator is always available)
• Licensed or auxiliary  healthcare professional. (If currently a medical/nursing student, must be active in your program for at least 2 years.
• Ability or willing to work in a chaotic, rural and under-equipped environment.
• Experience in wound care, acute care, critical care, medication administration and previous medical mission experience is an asset.
• Must agree to attend training sessions in preparation for the mission.
• Be able to pay program fee and ensure own expenses: (Flights and Visa fees, vaccinations, travel and health Insurance, and other personal expenses (souvenirs, internet, phone, transportation, etc.))

             Click here to Apply now

By joining our medical mission in Togo, you’ll be making a lasting impact—both in the lives of others and your own. As a volunteer, you will:

• Bring Vital Healthcare to Rural Communities
  Help improve access to essential medical services for underserved populations.
   
• Educate and Empower
  Raise awareness about critical health issues and promote better health practices.
   
• Gain Practical Experience
  Learn new skills, deepen your medical knowledge, and work alongside a diverse team of healthcare professionals.
   
• Grow Personally and Professionally
  Sharpen your communication abilities, expand your global perspective, and build valuable connections.
   
• Experience the Rich Togolese Culture
  Immerse yourself in local traditions, cuisine, language, clothing, and history.
   
• Explore and Discover
  Visit small rural towns and witness firsthand the resilience and beauty of communities living with limited resources.
   
• Make a Difference
  Contribute meaningfully while learning about the daily challenges others face—and be part of the solution.

                Click here to Apply now 

What to Expect Upon Arrival?

When you arrive in Togo, a friendly member of our local team will greet you at the airport and accompany you directly to the mission site. From the moment you land, you'll be in caring hands.

Orientation & Support

All volunteers will participate in a comprehensive in-country Program Orientation, which includes:

• A detailed briefing about the mission site and the community you’ll be serving
   
• Guidance on local transportation, nearby amenities, and cultural do’s and don’ts
   
• Safety protocols and risk awareness specific to your location
   

Our local support team is available 24/7 to assist you throughout your mission.

Your Role as a Volunteer

You will work closely with local healthcare professionals, dedicating at list of 5 hours per day, Monday through Friday—with occasional outreach on Saturdays. Volunteers may also engage in community outreach programs in local schools or health centers, helping extend care to those who need it most.

Certification

Upon completion of your mission, you’ll receive an official certificate of participation—a recognition of your service and an excellent addition to your professional portfolio

Official Name: Republic of Togo or Togo

Capital: Lomé (located in the extreme southwest of Togo and extends along the coast of Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean) Population: about 1.8 million(2020).

Time Zone: UTC + 00:00

Currency: West African CFA franc (XOF) 

Language: French (Official language), Ewe (Spoken predominately in the southern regions of the country but can be found throughout the country), Kabye (spoken in the northern regions), and many more dialects.

Total area: 57,000 km2 (about 22,000 sq. miles).

Population: About 8.6 million(2020). Most people live in small villages scattered throughout the rural areas. 

Independence Day: April 27th, 1960

Geographic Location: West Africa between Burkina Faso to the North, Atlantic Ocean to the South, Benin to the East and Ghana to the West.

Climate: Togo has a tropical climate. In the south,  the rainy seasons occur from mid-April through June and from mid-September through October. The north has only one rainy season from June to the end of September. 

Mean annual temperatures vary from the high 70s F (mid-20s C) along the coast and in the mountains to the low 80s F (high 20s C) on the northern plateau. Daily minimum temperatures reaching the high 60s F (low 20s C) are recorded in the mountains in August. Daily maximum temperatures reach the low 100s F (high 30s C) occur in the north during March and April at the end of the long dry season.

Some Cultural Practices:

- It is best to use your right hand or both hands to give and receive , as 

the left hand is mostly considered unclean.

- There are about 37 different ethnic groups in Togo in which Ewe, Mina, and Kabye are the largest with so many cultural practices.

- Extended eye contact can be taken as an affront or a challenge to authority. It is often considered more polite to have only sporadic or brief eye contact, especially between people of different social rank (like a student and a teacher, or a child and his elder relatives).