Your safety is very important to us. We only allow volunteers to travel to areas that are politically stable. If this is not the case, the project will not proceed. Every member of the alliance keeps a close eye on the security recommendations. Of course, we can also rely on the local employees of the projects. They live and work there themselves and know the area very well.

Gambia has two seasons and has a subtropical climate. The dry season runs from mid-October to mid-June. March, April and May are  sun-drenched months, with an average of over 10 hours of sunshine per day. During the dry season there is often a northeast wind – the harmattan – that brings sand from the Sahara and covers the land with a layer of dust. The temperature can rise to 40 ° C in the dry season, due to that heat sometimes whirlwinds or tonkolong arise.

The rainy season lasts from around the end of May to mid-October, with the most rain falling in July, August and September. Mostly there are showers during the night and in the morning, but this is certainly not the case every day. The highest humidity, up to 95%, is measured in August. In the dry season, on the other hand, the humidity can drop to just 25%.

Every project has at least one permanent employee. This employee organizes your project and your stay together with the participating organization of our alliance. During your stay you can always connect with them; they are available for advice and practical information, but you can also count on them in case of an emergency.

You will be picked by our representative after the ferry crossing at the North Bank, you receive all details, phone numbers, after acceptance and confirmation from your side.

It is advisable to book a hotel in Banjul for 1 or 2 nights, so there is time to “acclimatize”, do some shopping and make any arrangements.

If desired, our “representative” on the South bank can be called in (also for other journeys and practical arrangements, (eg. exchange of money, telephone / mobile card, shopping, to the ferry, etc.).

In the past we had problems with sharing our operations address therefore we deliberately not share this information in advance. The organizations within our alliance take their duties seriously, our projects are not tourist  attractions and we do not want uninvited guests to disturb our operations. Moreover, it is very disturbing for the local employees of our alliance but also for other volunteers if someone suddenly appears at the projects to take a look.

We are not doctors and we do not know your personal & medical background. That is why we advise everyone to make an appointment with your doctor or travel vaccination center before traveling to your destination. You can always take a look at the website of the WHO for the latest situation in Laos.
 
Every organization within our alliance has an emergency procedure and you also receive all emergency telephone numbers once accepted as a volunteer. You will find all this information on your personal project page, you will receive the code as soon as you are accepted as a volunteer and you completed your application.

The Gambia allows entry into its territory to foreign travelers having a passport (except for Belgian citizen who only need their ID card).
For those who are not exempt from, a visa. This visa can be obtained from the diplomatic representation of the place of residence of the volunteer. You get permission to enter the territory for 90 days. Extensions are possible by a “visa run” to nearby Senegal.
You can find the latest information about visas and exempt countries via this link

There is no typical day or script to follow – every day will be different and full of surprises. That is the beauty, but also challenge, of international volunteering. We expect you to understand this and be flexible, open and proactive at all times.

The projects run Monday through Saturday and Sunday are usually free days. Depending on your project, you will work some combination of different hours during.

There are always new initiatives being launched and other volunteers looking for a helping hand. The projects are very dynamic and responsive to the community’s needs, and we encourage you to be flexible and willing to help wherever there is need. It is very likely that you will have the opportunity to work across multiple projects. Remember, the more you put into your experience, the more you will get out of it.

Our team speaks English. Bear in mind that the population with whom you may come into contact outside of your work does not always speak English.

All organizations active in the alliance take their work very seriously. From general preparations to details that you never imagined that they exist, but that are important to give you a safe, comfortable and meaningful experience. We invest a lot of time in preparing, following up and implementing our preparation materials, but also our projects on site. We hope that you, for your part, commit yourself 100% during your volunteer work and this is done in a respectful way for us, but even more so for the local community you are going to help.

• Volunteers are not tourists. Volunteers cooperate and serve the local population while tourists want to be served. We expect you to adopt an open, flexible and proactive attitude. After all, these are the most fundamental characteristics of a good volunteer.
• Volunteers are not employees. You will be shown the direction before and during your voluntary work, but you will not receive the same training as an employee receives. We expect you to ask questions, offer your help and engage in the execution of your project work.
• Kindness and being positive are very good qualities. You will meet many people during your volunteer work. Good social qualities are the key to success for good interaction with others. The best volunteers are those who build a good relationship with the people they work with. Take every opportunity to build a relationship of trust, even if there is a language barrier.
• You stay and work in a developing country where life is completely different from what you are used to. Do not expect to find the same efficiency, punctuality and structures that you are used to. Being open minded and adapting to new situations are the most fundamental qualities of a volunteer. Do not expect that you will get a written scenario. Every day will be different and you can come across different situations that you did not expect on your path.
• You may have taken a vacation to do volunteer work. However, keep in mind that a “volunteer holiday” does not exist. Volunteers enjoy their work and enjoy themselves during their free time. However, volunteering abroad is not easy. It can be very challenging and some days seem like an exercise in managing frustrations. It is all part of the experience so patience and a positive attitude are good qualities for a volunteer.
• You are not going to change the world. As long as you fulfill your duties in a responsible manner, you will be part of the team and will have a positive impact on the local community.
• Be humble and open to learn. You may have overwhelming ideas, qualities, talents and knowledge to share. The local population also has a lot to offer.
• You travel to a new country where the smallest parts of daily life differ from what you know. Try to understand this and do not judge it too quickly. The culture of the community you are staying in is no better or worse than in your hometown, it is just different. Turn off your blinkers, open your heart and you will feel comfortable even outside your own comfort zone.
• During your volunteer work, and especially during the preparation, you will receive a lot of information about the projects, living facilities, daily life, etc. Circumstances can change unexpectedly. Local needs may cause you to perform tasks other than planned. You must understand that the duties of a volunteer are based on local needs and not on you personally. It is your responsibility to adjust, because you are going to give and not to take.

Daily behavior when you volunteer in Gambia

• Dress appropriately and in consideration of the local culture. Women especially, you may have to dress more conservatively than you are used to at home. 
• Follow the local laws and remember, corruption and poor government services can be the norm in Gambia. 
• Abide by the cultural norms and rules of your hosts. Look to them for social cues and if you have a question, ask. Do not be shy!   
• While we will not babysit you, we expect you to follow the instructions and rules set forth by us and our local partners. We also expect you to be a good communicator who is friendly and respectful to us and our team. Whether something is going well or not, tell us.