Abstract
Attracted by humanitarian work since a very long time, I seized the opportunity given to me during my third year of 'applied foreign languages' studies to do a work placement in a non-profit organisation in a third world country. I had been unable to find a placement during term time, as I was working as an 'au pair' in London, and couldn't afford to live in this city without any remuneration. I therefore decided to save on my au pair wages to be able to fly abroad for this work placement. I had first, found a placement as an English teacher in Nepal, but the outbreak of a political crisis in the country in April 2006, precisely the time when I was about to make my final decision and book my flight changed my plans. Considering the time of the year, I had to find another placement very quickly. I came across an advertisement by the Togolese non-profit organisation V-Glob on the website www.idealist.org to which I applied and I was immediately accepted. My tasks were described as, to take part in the realization of a participative diagnostic, to organise animation and education on the Earth Charter, and translation work. My actual task in Togo was slightly different, as I will explain further on. My first contacts with the organisation were precipitated, as I had to find an agreement very quickly to be able to organise my journey to Togo once the convention would be signed. The first description of my mission was rather satisfying as it was a combination of translation, organisational work and report, writing for the diagnostic, and teaching. The diagnostic was particularly appealing to me, as I had studied sociology during my two years of studies in 'classe préparatoire lettres et sciences sociales' in Strasbourg. Finally, this placement was especially interesting as I was planning to continue my studies with a Master 'Coopération internationale et communication multilingue' at the Université Stendhal in Grenoble.
