Volunteering in Senegal

Senegal known as the “Gateway to Africa" is a country in western Africa with an Atlantic Ocean coastline, the country has an area of196,712 sq. km. The country lies at an ecological boundary where semiarid grassland, oceanfront, and tropical rainforest converge. This diverse environment has endowed Senegal with a wide variety of plant and animal life. It is from this rich natural heritage that the country’s national symbols were chosen: the baobab tree and the lion.

Neighboring countries include The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, and Mauritania. Senegal's geography is mostly flat, and the northern border is formed by the Senegal River. The Gambia, occupies a narrow sliver of land along the banks of the Gambia River, which separates Senegal’s southern region of Casamance from the rest of the country. Senegal also shares a maritime border with Cape Verde.

Senegal has a mixed economic system in which the presence of the state in the economy is considerable, but there is limited private sector freedom. Senegal’s economic and political capital is Dakar. Senegal is one of the easiest countries to visit in west Africa and is most tourist’s first taste of the region.

French is the official language of Senegal, but most people speak Wolof. Besides French and Wolof, people speak the language of their ethnic group, such as Pulaar, Serer, and thirty-eight other African languages, some few people speak English.

The Senegalese are overwhelmingly Muslim. Some 90 percent of the population belong to the Sunni branch of Islam. The remaining 10 percent are Roman Catholic.

Capital: Dakar (Population: 2,476,400)

Currency: West African CFA franc (XOF) $1 = 585CFA / £1 = 741CFA (2019)

Population: 16,740,000 (approx)

Official languages: Wolof and French

Area: 196,712 sq. km

International Calling Code: +221

Go Volunteer Africa offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities in Dakar and Saint Louis in Senegal from teaching, childcare, construction and healthcare projects. In Senegal we host both French and English speaking volunteers.

If you are looking for meaningful volunteer projects in Africa for a short or long term stay, Senegal is an ideal destination. Programs are perfect if you want to do something more than sightseeing and would like to see more than the average tourist and truly start to understand this distinctive culture.

VOLUNTEERING IN SENEGAL QUICK FACTS

• The program is open all year-round
• Very flexible start and end dates (arrive any day of the month)
• Over 6 exceptional sustainable project options
• Projects are based across the country with major locations being Dakar & Saint Louis
• Accommodation available at volunteer house & host families
• We host over 25 volunteers every month across Senegal
• Program fees include pre-departure support, airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support
• We are the most affordable organization in Africa, because we are the locals!

You will get to integrate into local society, sample the tasty food, experience the vibrant culture and also make a difference. There are summer and year round programs available where you can help people, animals and the environment. Volunteering in Senegal and helping people is a highly rewarding experience and there are also lots of cultural and sightseeing activities you will get to do in your spare time.

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS

Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate, unless volunteering with a parent or guardian. All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a criminal background check to Go Volunteer Africa's local Coordinators on arrival in the country.

SAFARIS & TOURS

Safaris, day and cultural tours can be organized over the weekends for volunteers. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore Senegal's vibrant cities, rich musical culture, secluded beaches and wildlife. There is a lot to see and do in Senegal.

After you have booked and confirmed your placement, please book your flights to arrive at Blaise Diagne International Airport in Diass. A member of staff from our local partner organization in Senegal will meet you on arrival at Blaise Diagne International Airport in Diass and take you to the volunteer guest house or host family which will be your base for volunteering.

Orientation and Placement will be done the next day. This airport services numerous international carriers including the national airline Air Senegal. Senegal has good connections to destinations throughout Europe, the Asia- Pacific region, USA and Africa.

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.

Over the weekends or evenings, participants are free to eat out and explore the different delights that Senegal has to offer.

Some volunteers are also provided accommodation in the project premises itself. For example - Volunteers working in teaching project can be provided accommodation in the project premises itself in a separate room that is allotted for volunteers.

To participate in this program, you have to fill an online application form, and submit it for consideration. After application process and acceptance into the program, you will be required to pay 50% of the program fee within 14 days of your acceptance. Failure to make the placement booking and confirmation payment will lead to cancelation of your program.