Volunteer In Africa

Discover what was once known as the Athens of West Africa

Volunteering in Africa is a choice that will change your life.

Volunteering in Africa is a great way to learn about the culture and people of the country you are visiting, as well as help them build their own communities. It’s also an opportunity to get involved with environmental conservation projects, such as planting trees or cleaning up and community health sensitization.

A volunteering experience abroad can help you develop new skills and knowledge for future employment opportunities back home—and if you choose to work abroad after completing your volunteer stint at an African organization, it could open doors for you at home! Africa is a continent of great beauty and diversity. It's home to some of the oldest civilizations in history, and it still holds secrets that have yet to be discovered.

Volunteering In Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is home to some of the world’s most beautiful cultures and traditions. It is bordered by Liberia to the southeast and Guinea to the northeast. The capital and largest city is Freetown. Bo is the second largest city in the country and is located 150 miles from Freetown. Sierra Leone is divided into five administrative regions, which are further subdivided into sixteen districts. Freetown commemorates the nation’s slave-trade history with the Cotton Tree landmark and King’s Yard Gate. Both were known as places of refuge for returned slaves in the 18th and 19th centuries. Nearby Bunce Island was a key departure point during the slave trade.

In Sierra Leone, you'll find an amazing variety of landscapes and climates. You'll run into rainforests, rivers, lakes, and mountains. And if you're lucky enough to visit their beautiful beaches, you'll find yourself surrounded by turquoise waters that make you feel like you're in another world entirely.

It has everything adventurous travelers could want – exquisite, empty beaches fringed by palms, rainforest jungles with high peaks swinging through.

Why Volunteer in Sierra Leone

Experience beautiful Culture/Tradition through Language and Food

This charming West African nation is home to a unique blend of cultures and traditions. English is the de facto official language, and Krio is the most widely spoken. Although English, as the official language, is spoken in schools, government administration, and the media, Krio is spoken as a lingua franca in virtually all parts of Sierra Leone.

When traveling to Sierra Leone, be sure to try some of the local dishes! The country is known for its unique culinary traditions, and there is sure to be something to suit your taste. Whether you're looking for something spicy or sweet, there's bound to be a dish that you'll love.

Try the following Sierra Leonean dishes during your stay:

1. Jollof rice – This is a national dish of Sierra Leone. It is made with rice, stewed tomatoes, onions, and chili peppers.

2. Palm butter sauce – This is a popular sauce made with palm fruit, chili peppers, and onions.

3. Groundnut soup – This soup is made with peanuts, onions, tomatoes, and chili peppers. It is a hearty and filling soup.

4. Leaf Sauce – also known as plasas is a national dish in Sierra Leone. It is made with green vegetables like Potato leaves, Cassava leaves, or Spinach. Leaf sauce is preferably eaten with rice. Meat or fish either smoked, fried, or dried is added to the sauce which gives it a unique flavor and delicious taste.

5. Pepper Chicken – a delicacy made with peanuts, peppers, chicken, and tomato puree.

Experience First Hand Where Slaves Were Shipped from In Africa During the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

In 1792, Bunce Island was established as a slave-trading fort by the British. The island is located around 20 miles up the Sierra Leone River from Freetown and is one of more than sixty slave-trading forts on the West African coast. It exported tens of thousands of Africans to North America and the West Indies before the British finally closed the trans-Atlantic slave trade in 1808.

Bunce Island remains an important African monument to the North American slave trade. Today, Bunce Island is a National Historic Site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a chilling reminder of how far they have come as a nation. It is an opportunity to experience their past and learn from it.

Home to the famous Cotton Tree

The Cotton Tree is an important landmark in Freetown. It's a symbol of the city's history, and it's been around for centuries. As the legend goes, freed slaves walked up to this tree right off their boat and prayed there as they made their way into land. They held thanksgiving services and sang hymns in appreciation for being free at last. That’s how the Capital city got its name – Freetown. It is located in the center of the city and it's now surrounded by winding roads and concrete buildings.

Diverse wildlife

Sierra Leone is a tropical country in Western Africa. It's home to a wide variety of wildlife, including chimpanzees, hippos, lions, elephants, buffaloes, a variety of bird,s and even fish. This is in addition to several endangered species that call Sierra Leone home. Unfortunately, the wildlife of Sierra Leone is under extreme threat due to human-made problems such as deforestation and overfishing. Native species such as the African wild dog are almost certainly extinct in Sierra Leone.

Get A Chance to Visit the First Secondary School and University in West Africa

Sierra Leone was once called the ‘Athens of West Africa’, a title she earned from her distinguished and globally recognized academic performance. This country still carries the credit for producing prominent and universally accredited academics such as Davidson Nicol, John Karefa Smart, Eldred Jones, Joe A.D.Alie, and James Jonah, to name a few.

The country still has the pride of having the first secondary school and the first college in the West African sub-region, the CMS Grammar School and Fourah Bay College respectively.

Probably Africa’s Most Tolerant Nation

Sierra Leone is a country that values diversity and freedom of religion. It is also one of the few states in Africa with a majority Muslim population, and it has a strong Christian minority as well.

Unlike many other secular states with diverse religious identities, Sierra Leone observes both Muslim and Christian holidays. This includes Christmas, Easter, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The country supports freedom of religion and religion-based violence is extremely rare as a result of this.

Volunteering Projects in Sierra Leone

Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community and make a difference in the world. There are many different types of volunteer projects available in Sierra Leone, so you can choose the one that best suits your interests and skills. Some of the most popular areas for volunteering include community development, social work, healthcare, and environmental conservation. No matter what type of volunteering you choose, you will be making a positive impact on the world.

Healthcare

Volunteering in healthcare can help you learn about international health and medicine. You will work alongside local health professionals, who are experts at diagnosing and treating illnesses on a daily basis. You’ll also gain firsthand experience with international medicine, which means that your skills will be adaptable to any situation that may arise during an emergency medical situation. The healthcare system in Sierra Leone is often not up to Western standards, and malaria is the leading cause of death in the country. Volunteers can aid those who are already infected and teach communities about various prevention methods.

Volunteers may also help spread knowledge about the prevention of HIV/AIDS. If certified, they may also be able to help the medical professionals on-site. Volunteering in Sierra Leone is a great way to make a difference in the lives of others.

Social Work

Volunteers can work in poverty-stricken villages where children are most vulnerable and in need of education. Volunteers can bring in food and supplies, teach children, and even play games and arts and crafts with them.

Volunteers can also work alongside community members to develop their life skills in areas such as language and education.

Environmental Conservation

Volunteers with an interest in restoring or conserving Sierra Leone's natural beauty can take part in environmental conservation projects. This can include anything from taking part in deforestation initiatives to helping communities manage or repair water systems.

Apply To Volunteer in Sierra Leone

IN_iT planned and designed a rich volunteer abroad experience for travelers who wish to take a break from the stress and strains of everyday life and indulge themselves in something completely different but amazing.

Visit our website and navigate to the Volunteer Abroad tab.

• Browse through the available projects .

• Found a project you like?

• Click on it and read the project description and requirements carefully as some projects may require specific skillsets, qualifications, or expertise to be accepted.

• Click the apply now button on the top right corner of the page

• Submit necessary information such as Name, Interest/expertise, availability, etc.

• Wait for one of our Project Managers to contact you. So make sure you use an email that you check often.

If you're looking for an adventure, then look no further than volunteering in Sierra Leone via iN_iT. It is a choice that will change your life and give you so much more than just an experience that you can share with friends and family.