Volunteer Work In Africa From About.com

By Kate | Permalink |

No Comments | April 16th, 2007 | Trackback

Volunteering In Africa from About.com recently turned up in one of my Google News Alerts. I must admit I know little about volunteering in Africa - but I thought this three-page guide provided a good number of resources.

The first page has general information on what to expect; the second, links to larger organizations which place volunteers in many locations throughout the world (of course including Africa) like VSO, the Peace Corps, UN Volunteers; the third page includes links to organizations dealing more specifically with Africa.

Some of these Africa-specific organizations are:

Raleigh International, where volunteers can join ten-week projects consisting of three phases (sustainable community and environmental projects and an “adventure phase”) in Namibia; other locations and project lengths are also available. The cost for the Namibia program is £2,995.

All Africa Volunteers has a number of programs in South Africa, many of which focus on the eastern part of the coast, which they report is underserved by and in need of volunteers. Possibilities include a sports skills program (volunteers share their sports skills and culture with kids) as well as a dolphin research program. Costs are approximately $400 per week and include accommodation.
One more is the Institute for International Cooperation and Development, which offers participants six months of language and skills training in its “Development Instructor” program; one possibility following this training is to work on education in general and HIV/AIDS awareness in particular in Mozambique. Costs are about $4000 for a fourteen-month program. UPDATE: Different sources have expressed concerns about this organization, advising volunteers to beware.