Volunteer in The Gambia

Many Gambians live in poverty, lacking access to basic resources, economic opportunity, and quality education. There is a consistent need for international volunteers to help improve the lives impoverished Gambians throughout the country. Many of the volunteer opportunities center around education, medicine and healthcare, and building and repairing structures.

Education

Many Gambians live in poverty and children have very limited access to education. Nursery schools and primary schools both in Gambian cities and smaller villages are often in need of international volunteers to teach students in the classroom and train local teachers.

While English is the official language taught in schools in The Gambia, for many students it's their second, third, or even fourth language. Thus, there is a huge need for volunteers to teach English in schools. If you are volunteering at a school, you may also have the opportunity to be involved in coaching sports or leading outdoor activities for students.

Medicine & Health Care

It is common for Gambians to lack access to proper medicine and health treatment. There is a huge need for volunteer doctors of all kinds, nurses, midwives, and medical students to use their skills in understaffed hospitals and medical clinics.

Volunteering at a hospital in The Gambia is a great opportunity for medical students to gain practical experience in a busy hospital and work in a difficult environment due to the lack of medical supplies and resources. Even if you don't have an advanced medical background, you can still be involved in health care in The Gambia by leading health awareness workshops or helping to give vaccines in smaller communities.

Building & Maintenance

Many villages in The Gambia have school buildings and homes that are not structurally sound and in need of repair. Volunteering for a building and maintenance project is a great opportunity to experience life in a small Gambian village and form relationships with the locals.

You can help families vastly improve their living conditions by adding doors to homes, fixing mosquito netting over windows and beds, and adding color by painting the walls. For most of the building and maintenance volunteer projects you don't need prior experience in construction, as long as you are willing to learn on the job and committed to helping improve the lives of Gambians.

The Gambia's capital city of Banjul, sitting on an island where the Gambia River meets the Atlantic, is the country's largest metropolitan area and a common destination for tourists and international volunteers. In Banjul, you will find many hospitals, health clinics, and nursery and primary schools that seek international volunteers.

Rural areas and small villages are also common volunteer destinations in The Gambia. These areas tend to be in dire need of volunteers in education, medical care, and building repairs, as they are remote and lack access to these resources. Volunteers in small villages will be fully immersed in the intimate, family-centric culture of rural West Africa and learn about the toughest challenges these communities face in living without access to basic resources.

When planning your trip to The Gambia, it will be important to decide whether you'd like to experience an urban or rural environment. Both settings are in need of volunteers, but your accommodations and cultural experience will differ depending on which you opt for. In either location, you will be living a simple life free of many of the amenities you're used to, but small villages will lack more of these than the capital of Banjul. In small villages, however, you will be more immersed in family life and intimate Gambian culture.

Visas

You will need to obtain a visa to enter The Gambia, either before traveling overseas, or you can receive one from the Department of Immigration in downtown Banjul within two working days of your arrival to the country.

Most international travelers find The Gambia to be an extremely affordable place to live, but remember, you should not expect to always have access to hot water, internet access, or air conditioning.

Housing

The accommodations vary based on the programs you are participating in and whether you are in an urban or rural area. Some programs offer homestays, which are a great opportunity to be immersed in Gambian culture and interact with Gambians on a more intimate level. Some programs offer group volunteer housing in apartments or small houses.

It is important for international volunteers to be aware that much of The Gambia, particularly rural areas, lacks electricity and hot water. You will have access to more of these commodities if you are in Banjul, but you should not expect to be living in luxury.