Thinking about travelling abroad to partake in a volunteering project? Doing so can be a fantastic experience where you learn new skills and make amazing memories. It can be fun, and it can be tough work, but it can also be life changing undertaking fulfilling challenges.
Some people decide to go before or after university, or they go when they’re older and need a change. Many go solo but you can also travel in groups with family members or as part of a school class trip.
By using a company that specialises in volunteer projects, you can choose a project by location or type of work. If you want to work with animals, you can even choose a project based on a specific animal you’ll be volunteering to help.
Others choose to teach English, work in schools or help with healthcare. Some help tribal villages with their development, building new structures, and teaching them about things such as hygiene and health, all whilst learning about a completely different way of life themselves.
Popular places to travel include Asia and Africa, as the biggest two continents in the world, there are many projects and locations to choose from. In this article, we’re going to focus on where to volunteer in Africa and what you can expect to be doing.
Are Places in Africa Welcoming to Strangers?
Yes it is, many countries in Africa frequently make the top list of places in the world that are the kindest to strangers.
Even countries like Libya that have endured war and other issues are said to be friendly, with a large percentage of people claiming to have helped strangers when surveyed – however, travel to Libya has been strongly advised against since 2014.
Fortunately there are many other countries that are both kind and safe to travel to, such as Malawi, which has been named as the “Warm Heart of Africa” due to the kindness of its people.
Other countries in Africa that have made it on to the kind list in the last decade include Sierra Leone and Botswana.
Obviously, whilst these countries are listed as safe and kind, you should still exercise a level of caution and remain sensible at all times, even if it’s just to protect yourself from things like petty theft. It is also recommended to carry a form of identification with you at all times, even if it’s just a photocopy of documents, such as your passport.
More About Malawi
Malawi is gaining popularity with travellers; however the country is still considered to be less crowded, meaning it could be a perfect place for a peaceful volunteering experience.
Malawi is a great place to volunteer with animals as there is an abundance of different species. The country has taken big steps towards wildlife conservation efforts, and as part of a volunteer project, you could be helping to improve those efforts further.
At a wildlife centre in Malawi, you could be working as an animal care volunteer, or even join the veterinary team in the clinic if you are studying to be a vet.
As an animal care volunteer you could be doing anything from cleaning the animals and their living areas, to feeding them. You’ll also be rehabilitating orphaned or injured animals so that they can be released back into the wild with the best chances of survival.
Along with working closely with these animals, you could also be helping with construction and maintenance of structures such as buildings and pathways. There might even be some environmental work to the surrounding areas involved.
As well as the volunteer work, you’ll have some free time to explore. This could mean visiting the beautiful Lake Malawi.
Other Countries and Projects
There’s a wide range of projects to do in a number of different countries in Africa…
For example, in Ghana you could be helping with renovations, healthcare, agriculture and more, with projects set up separately for each type of work.
Kenya has projects for working in childcare, nurseries, helping those with special needs, and educating women, as certain countries are in need of advancements in equality.
Madagascar offers projects for developing the community, as well as conservation for marine life, turtles, and forests.
Volunteering With Animals
As Africa is home to many different types of animals, there are various places to visit in order to do different things.
You can aid desert elephant conservation in Namibia, where there is also a wildlife sanctuary containing big cats, baboons, and other species.
For those feeling brave, you can even embark on a project about great white sharks. This project involves raising awareness and education about living in harmony with nature.
Volunteer Today
These are just a few examples of locations and projects you could be doing. For more ideas, visit the website of a company that offers volunteer packages. They should have a full list of what’s available.