Doing Volunteer Work in Africa

Africa is a vast continent but most of it lies in theand poverty can be fought. The second project is
shadow of poverty, malnutrition, drought, lack ofcalled the Lemur Venture which is a lemur
education and civil wars. From the famines of Ethiopiaconservation project focused on protecting the
to the poaching of wild animals in Kenya, Africa hasalready threatened population of lemur.
seen it all. Volunteering in Africa has been a majorGlobal Service Corps (GSC): They are an organization
consideration of Non-profit organizations worldwide.who offers overseas volunteering opportunities and
Different people have different reasons to opt forthis includes projects in Tanzania, Africa. Their
volunteer work and it can vary from the desire tovolunteering in Africa program involves participants to
learn new things about new cultures and societies tostay with Tanzanian people in their homes and learn
travel and gratification through social work andabout their life and culture. Volunteers share their
helping mankind. Some people are so devoted to theown experiences and culture and through daily
cause that they have spent their entire lifetime ininteraction educate the people of Tanzania. The
Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Nairobi etc, while others doproject areas for volunteers include HIV/AIDS
as much they can. Volunteering abroad and inprevention, health, creating sustainable agriculture to
continents like Africa, South America and Asia can beprevent hunger, working with hospitals, farms,
an enriching experience with a satisfaction orschools to impart information and create a social
gratification that is almost incomparable.community.
There are different organizations requiring volunteersThere are many more organizations who offer
overseas and especially in Africa. Some of theopportunities to volunteers to visit Africa and make a
organizations and projects involving volunteering indifference. You can also take up volunteering in
Africa are:Africa and the benefits are:
The Cheetah Recoil Program: This program is being1.    You will be able to give something back. There
organized at the Marsabit National Park, Kenya as aare many people who feel the need to give back to
part of providing opportunities for volunteering inthe society and are passionate about their cause. If
Africa. The Cheetah is the fastest animal on land butyou are such a person then volunteering in Africa
off late, due to extensive poaching, the population ofprograms can provide you with a great opportunity
Cheetah is almost near extinction. This Cheetahto pursue such a cause.
program has been designed specifically for volunteers2.    If you are looking for a unique opportunity:
who have an interest in wildlife conservation and areThere are many projects focusing on people,
willing to travel overseas to Kenya. The requirementpoverty, social issues, disease or health etc., but
is for volunteers in groups of 20 who will work in athere are not as many projects on wildlife and
specific area along with some senior researchecosystem conservation. If you are interested in a
co-coordinators, game wardens and scientists.wildlife conservation project and want to become a
The Azafady Project: The project is being run by anvolunteer and pursue a related program, then it will
U.K. charity organization and they need volunteering inbe a unique opportunity that will ultimately provide
Africa to effectively alleviate poverty, and at thesatisfaction.
same time improve and protect the unique and3.    If you are looking for experience: There are
beautiful environment and wildlife. Their overseasmany people who take part in overseas volunteering
volunteer program is two fold. One program is calledprojects to gather experience required for their
the Pioneer Madagascar and it offers opportunity forcareer goals or to start their own non profit
volunteers to work at the grass-root level and createorganization. Either way, volunteering in Africa will
a system through which environmental degradationprovide the necessary experience and much more.