Tiffany Haney
Volunteers in Senegal work with their communities on locally prioritized projects in agriculture, the environment, and health. They live with host families for 24 months to facilitate community integration, language acquisition, and cultural adaptation. Volunteers are expected to dress in culturally appropriate, clean, and professional clothing. Most items needed are available in the country, but locally available items may not be the brands, quality, prices, or sizes that volunteers are used to. Volunteers are encouraged to bring pictures or other decorations to make their huts feel like home.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Duration of the Peace Corps Volunteer program | 2 years |
| Work areas | Agriculture, Environment, Health |
| Languages spoken | Fulakunda, Jaxanke, Mandinka, Pulaar du Nord, Pulafuta, Seereer, Wolof |
| Clothing | Culturally appropriate, clean, and professional clothing. Pants, shirts, blouses, skirts/dresses that fall below the knee. Shorts are appropriate for recreational activities only. |
| Items to bring | Three shirts, a few pairs of shorts, sun-protective items, three-month supply of prescription and/or over-the-counter medications |
| Housing | Equipped with screens to protect against mosquitoes, doors and windows with locks, a concrete floor, reliable water source |
| Transportation | Bicycles, charrettes (horse- or donkey-drawn carts), intercity transportation such as Peugeot 504 station wagons or taxis-brousse |
| Electronics | Laptops/tablets provided by local vendors as part of the settling-in allowance, internet access at internet cafes |
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What You'll Learn
- Volunteers work on locally-prioritized projects in agriculture, the environment, and health
- Volunteers live with host families for 24 months to facilitate community integration and language acquisition
- Volunteers receive a monthly allowance in local currency to cover basic expenses, including food, clothing, and utilities
- Volunteers are issued bicycles for daily use and must wear helmets
- Volunteers should bring culturally appropriate clothing and sun-protective items. Most items can be purchased locally, but electronics may not be compatible
Volunteers work on locally-prioritized projects in agriculture, the environment, and health
Volunteers in Senegal work on locally prioritized projects in agriculture, the environment, and health. They work side by side with members of the community to build relationships and create positive change.
Agriculture volunteers are trained to support food security and livelihood improvement while increasing community resilience and adaptation to global change. They work with smallholder farmers to increase technical assistance, access to seeds and fertilizers, production and processing equipment, storage facilities, and other basic infrastructure. Volunteers also work to improve soil health and promote the circularity of on-farm organic waste, reflecting indigenous knowledge of nature-based solutions. They also learn to speak local languages, including Fulakunda, Jaxanke, Mandinka, Pulaar du Nord, Pulafuta, Seereer, and Wolof.
In the environment sector, volunteers work to protect natural resources and promote understanding of environmental adaptation and resilience. They focus on building the capacity of rural community members to be food secure without destroying natural resources. Volunteers work with community partners to promote the incorporation of agroforestry technologies in the farming system, enhance soil and water management practices, and highlight useful gardening and tree-planting techniques.
In the health sector, volunteers work with community partners to promote healthy behaviors, maternal and child health, and HIV awareness and prevention. They also support student learning in English, literacy, math, and science by working with schools, communities, and parents.
Volunteers in Senegal are expected to serve for two years, and most are assigned to rural areas or small towns. They live with host families for 24 months to facilitate community integration, language acquisition, cultural adaptation, and an awareness of local safety and security concerns. Volunteers are provided with bicycles for daily use and are not permitted to drive or ride motorcycles or motor scooters.
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Volunteers live with host families for 24 months to facilitate community integration and language acquisition
Volunteers in Senegal stay with host families for the duration of their 24-month service to facilitate community integration, language acquisition, cultural adaptation, and an understanding of local safety and security concerns. Volunteers are expected to devote most of their time and energy to integrating into their host communities, working closely with community members to implement activities and advance the Peace Corps' mission of world peace and friendship.
Senegal has a strong tradition of community engagement and a commitment to community unity and mutual support. Volunteers are expected to participate in community events and ceremonies, such as baptisms, marriages, and funerals, which include specific cultural practices and foods. They are also encouraged to join in celebrations of important holidays, including Korite/Eid Al Fitr, Tabaski/Eid al Adha, Tamkharite/Muslim New Year, and Easter and Christmas, depending on the religion of their host family.
Language acquisition is an important aspect of the Peace Corps experience in Senegal. During their service, Volunteers learn to speak local languages, including Fulakunda, Jaxanke, Mandinka, Pulaar du Nord, Pulafuta, Seereer, and Wolof. The Thies Training Center (TTC) provides an environment for language acquisition and the development of intercultural competencies, such as cultural humility, curiosity, and empathy.
Volunteers should be prepared for the possibility of not having electricity in their accommodations, and while the current in Senegal is 220 volts, 50 hertz, this is not guaranteed. Accommodations vary, ranging from cement-block rooms with tin roofs to traditional huts with thatched roofs. Toilets and bathing facilities must meet Peace Corps standards, and all housing must have screens to protect against mosquitoes and insects, doors and windows with locks, and concrete floors.
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Volunteers receive a monthly allowance in local currency to cover basic expenses, including food, clothing, and utilities
Volunteers in the Peace Corps program in Senegal receive a monthly allowance in local currency. This allowance is intended to cover basic expenses, including food, clothing, and utilities, and to allow volunteers to live at a level similar to that of the local people. The specific amount of the allowance varies by country and is determined by factors such as the cost of living in the area. For example, the monthly allowance in Madagascar is around $150-$156, while in Thailand, it is around $200.
In addition to the living allowance, volunteers in Senegal receive a monthly business travel allowance to cover the costs of traveling to trainings and work meetings. They also receive a leave allowance of $24 per month, which is standard across all Peace Corps countries. The Peace Corps will arrange local banking services for volunteers upon their arrival in the country and will set up a local bank account for them to receive their allowance.
Volunteers in Senegal typically live with host families for the duration of their service, which is usually around two years. Accommodations can vary from cement-block rooms with tin roofs to traditional huts with thatched roofs. While there is no guarantee of having electricity, the current in Senegal is 220 volts, 50 hertz. The Peace Corps expects all housing to have screens to protect against mosquitoes and other insects, doors and windows with locks, and a concrete floor. Bathing and toilet facilities must also meet Peace Corps standards.
During their service, volunteers in Senegal work on locally prioritized projects in agriculture, the environment, and health. They seek out opportunities to promote community economic development within their respective sectors. Volunteers also learn to speak local languages, including Fulakunda, Jaxanke, Mandinka, Pulaar du Nord, Pulafuta, Seereer, and Wolof.
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Volunteers are issued bicycles for daily use and must wear helmets
Volunteers in Senegal work with their communities on locally prioritized projects in agriculture, the environment, and health. They also seek out opportunities to promote community economic development within their respective sectors. During their service, volunteers learn to speak local languages, including Fulakunda, Jaxanke, Mandinka, Pulaar du Nord, Pulafuta, Seereer, and Wolof.
Volunteers are expected to dress in culturally appropriate, clean, and professional clothing. Pants, shirts, blouses, and skirts/dresses that fall below the knee are suitable. Shorts (baggy and knee-length) are appropriate for recreational activities only. Clothing that is not recommended or appropriate includes short shorts, short skirts, tops with spaghetti straps, tight-fitting clothing, midriff/skin-revealing clothing, or clothes with holes.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring pictures or other decorations to make their accommodations feel like home. While there is no guarantee of having electricity, the current in Senegal is 220 volts, 50 hertz. Volunteers receive a monthly allowance in local currency that is sufficient to live at the same level as the local people. The allowance covers food, household supplies, clothing, transportation to and from work, utilities, recreation, and entertainment, and incidental expenses.
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Volunteers should bring culturally appropriate clothing and sun-protective items. Most items can be purchased locally, but electronics may not be compatible
When packing for Senegal, it is important to consider the cultural context, work expectations, and your personal preferences. The climate in Senegal varies between a hot and humid rainy season and a cooler dry season with strong harmattan winds and dust storms. Therefore, it is recommended to bring culturally appropriate clothing that will also protect you from the sun and heat.
For women, loose and cool clothing is advised, such as long skirts or thin, ankle-length trousers. Thin, long-sleeved bamboo or cotton shirts will help cover the upper body, and a thin scarf or sarong can be useful when visiting religious sites. Men can also opt for lightweight and breathable clothing, such as long trousers and shirts with sleeves.
It is also recommended to bring a wide scarf and a lightweight sweater for additional coverage and warmth during cooler evenings. Sandals are suitable for most days, but trainers or closed shoes may be preferred for travel or outdoor activities. Don't forget to pack a hat, sunglasses with UV protection, and sunscreen to shield yourself from the intense sun.
While most items can be purchased locally, the brands, quality, prices, and sizes may differ from what you are accustomed to. Electronics, in particular, may not be compatible due to voltage differences and the harsh climate. If you plan to bring electronic devices, consider purchasing personal insurance to protect them from damage or theft.
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Frequently asked questions
You can expect to live with a host family for 24 months to facilitate community integration, language acquisition, and cultural adaptation. Accommodations range from a cement-block room with a tin roof to a traditional hut with a thatched roof. The Peace Corps requires that all housing be equipped with screens to protect against mosquitoes, doors and windows with locks, and a concrete floor.
It is recommended that you bring loose cotton tops, some sleeveless and some with sleeves to protect bare shoulders from sunburn and mosquitoes. You should also bring a three-month supply of any prescription and/or over-the-counter medications you use that are authorized/approved by the Peace Corps.
The Peace Corps provides a medical kit containing basic, over-the-counter medications, as well as multivitamins. A simple laptop/tablet will be provided as part of the settling-in allowance at the end of the initial 3-month training.
Do not bring any unauthorized drugs, flammable materials or liquids, or valuables such as precious jewelry.
Yes, but keep in mind that many volunteers do not have electricity in their homes, and security and maintenance of devices cannot be guaranteed. If you do bring a computer, consider purchasing personal property insurance.
