Sierra Leone Childcare Volunteer project is the project run in collaboration with children’s centers and homes in Freetown and Bo in Sierra Leone. Caring for the children from underprivileged communities and helping them with Basic English is one of the most satisfying and popular among all volunteering activities.
Although Sierra Leone has now been at peace for many years, effects from war continue to haunt not only the adult population of this beautiful country but also its children. Go Volunteer Africa’s volunteers have the opportunity to work in institutions caring for orphans and vulnerable children.
The overall purpose of this Sierra Leone childcare volunteer project is to provide a higher standard of care to infants and children in different public and privately-run facilities by providing hands-on support on a day to day basis.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
- Prepare food for dinner
- Lead sports, art, games, picture books, music activities
- Help with breakfast and prepare the children for school
- Organize fun activities when the children return from school
- Assist with lessons and teach English 3-4 hours a day in the local school
Go Volunteer Africa’s Sierra Leone childcare volunteer project focuses mainly on the personal development and growth of a child, through a number of planned and scheduled day-to-day activities. With the help of local teams, volunteers work to provide better care to disadvantaged children. The country is still struggling to provide better and healthy living to disadvantaged children.
PROJECT LOCATION
Freetown is a port city and the capital of Sierra Leone, in West Africa. It’s known for its beaches and historical role in the transatlantic slave trade. The old town’s centuries-old Cotton Tree is a symbol of emancipation. On the waterfront is the King’s Yard Gate, through which former slaves walked to freedom. The Sierra Leone National Museum includes exhibits relating to the 19th-century military leader Bai Bureh.
Bo, also commonly referred to as Bo Town, is the second largest city in Sierra Leone by landscape/geographical location and the largest city in the Southern Province. Bo is the capital and administrative centre of Bo District.
ARRIVAL & AIRPORT PICKUP
After you have booked and confirmed your placement, please book your flights to arrive at Freetown International Airport in Lungi. A member of staff from our local partner organization will meet you on arrival at Airport and take you to the volunteer guest house or host family which will be your base for volunteering. This airport services numerous international carriers. Sierra Leone has good connections to destinations throughout Europe, the Asia- Pacific region, USA and Africa.
ORIENTATION
Orientation and Placement will be done the next day. Generally, your volunteer orientation is an overview of the project’s mission, expectations and introduction to the local community and project site. Following your arrival in Sierra Leone you will be given a presentation by the co-coordinating project team to prepare you for the work you will be doing.
PROJECT DETAILS
Volunteer work and roles at our Sierra Leone childcare volunteer program is somewhat varied dependent on the institution where the volunteer is placed, however typical examples of jobs and tasks can include; assisting local staff in providing rehabilitation exercises and therapist treatments for children, playing with children and entertaining/educating them with games, music, arts and other exercises, helping to develop fundraising initiatives to ensure ongoing funding for these institutions and teaching English to local staff.
These children are vulnerable to a number of issues such as illiteracy and malnutrition and they expect a desolate future. Volunteers in the Sierra Leone childcare volunteer project visit day-care centers and work with children with regard to various issues for healthy living.
Through various interactive activities, a learning environment is created to ensure proper growth of children. In this Sierra Leone volunteer program, care and support activities are planned and performed for children, along with awareness activities related to health and hygiene issues.
GROUP VOLUNTEER TRIPS
Get some friends together or organize a group from your school and embark on this incredible adventure! Discounts are offered on any group of 5+ participants on Sierra Leone volunteering program.
LONGTERM VOLUNTEER WORK
Please contact us for more information about our long-term volunteer work in Sierra Leone. We will guide you on the best times of the year, what to pack, and what extra health precautions to keep in mind and all logistics.
VOLUNTEER ACCOMMODATION
Volunteers are provided accommodation in a volunteer house or in a homestay accommodation managed by the local coordinating team. Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) are provided to the participants from Monday – Sunday. The accommodations are neat and clean. Accommodation is shared amongst volunteers on the ‘same gender sharing’ basis rooms. Wifi internet, warm water is not guaranteed.
The homes are close to useful amenities like banks, ATM’s, currency exchanges, restaurants, cafes and shopping places. All placements are around 10 – 30 minutes from the accommodation. At some point volunteers might be on the move and hence we suggest also bringing a sleeping mat and sleeping bag/pillow for travel and weekends away on adventures. Bathrooms are usually shared. There is a lounge area for relaxing, reading, or watching movies.
AGE REQUIREMENT
Our program is for anyone eighteen years and above who loves nature, wildlife and social experiences with people from all over the world. We also accepts volunteers of 16+ years of age if they are in a group with a guardian or supervisor above 25years. Volunteers under 16 years old are only considered when accompanied by a parent/guardian. There isn’t a maximum age limit, though a reasonable fitness level is necessary. Families are encouraged to apply and are welcome!
VISAS
Visitors to Sierra Leone must obtain a visa from one of the Sierra Leone diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries eligible for visa on arrival. All visitors must hold passports valid for a minimum of 6 months from the arrival date. As of 2020, it is possible to apply for an eVisa online, for stays of 30 days within a 90 day period. Citizens of the following countries can obtain a visa on arrival: All European Union citizens, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States
INSURANCE
You’ll need to buy appropriate travel insurance covering your participation on the program. You won’t be able to go without the right travel insurance so double check to avoid disappointment. Please make sure that you’re covered for the whole duration of your trip – from the day you leave your home to the day you return.
WEEKENDS AND FREE-TIME
Over the weekends or evenings, participants are free to eat out and explore the different delights that Sierra Leone has to offer. We arrange city day tours and long-weekend safaris. No matter what your interests, there is always something for everyone to enjoy!
PROJECT QUICK FACTS
| Availability: | Project open all year round |
| Age Limits: | Minimum 18yrs or older |
| Start Dates: | Flexible start and end dates |
| Duration: | Minimum 2 weeks commitment |
| Arrival: | One day before the start date |
| Airport Arrival: | Airport pickup, meet and greet by GVA partner representative |
| Airport: | Free Town International Airport |
| Accommodation: | Host Family or volunteer house |
| Meals: |
Daily Breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| Working Days: | Monday – Friday – 5 days a week, 3-5 hours in a day |
| Weekends: | Travel / Sightseeing NOT included in program cost |
| Location: | Free Town & Bo |
| Language: | English |
| Support: | Pre-departure guide, In-country staff available 24/7 |
IN A NUTSHELL
Volunteering in Sierra Leone with Go Volunteer Africa is affordable, low cost and budget friendly. The volunteer opportunities in Sierra Leone are meaningful and life changing both to the volunteer and the host community.
Go Volunteer Africa was ranked as the best volunteer organization in Sierra Leone. All volunteer programs in Sierra Leone are community driven and managed by the local coordinating teams and this will give you a chance to get to know local people and really help those in need.
Go Volunteer Africa is among the top NGOs looking for volunteers in Sierra Leone. Most volunteer projects in Sierra Leone are located throughout the country in places like Free Town, Bo and in more rural areas.
Volunteer in Sierra Leone with Africa’s leading and largest volunteer travel organization. Volunteer Jobs in Sierra Leone are available throughout the year. Do volunteer charity work in Sierra Leone, empower communities and vulnerable individuals, change both your lives and the recipients’ of your generosity.
PROGRAM FEE: (USD$)
Program Fee Excludes:
- Flights
- Visas
- Insurance
- Personal Expenses
- Airport Drop off (Can be arranged upon request)
APPLICATION & PLACEMENT BOOKING FEE
Please Note: An application and placement booking fee of $180 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment to secure your placement.
The fee covers: Administration Costs, Placement Booking & Confirmation, Pre-departure support & documentation, 24-hour international HQ back-up.
HOW TO APPLY
To start the process fill Volunteer application form and submit it for consideration and book your placement. For more information on how to get enrolled for the volunteering experience of a lifetime contact us. Or Give us a call | WhatsApp | Telegram | Viber | Imo at +254-796-786292 to talk to a Program Specialist.
