Senegal

Warm, vibrant and full of culture, Senegal offers the opportunity to experience everyday life at the heart of a welcoming West African community.

Hospitality – known as Teranga – is an important part of Senegalese culture. Sharing food, conversation and attaya, the traditional Senegalese tea ceremony, are all part of daily life and a brilliant way to build relationships within your community.

With opportunities to develop your French and Wolof, experience a predominantly Muslim culture and explore everything from colourful towns to Atlantic beaches, Senegal offers a truly immersive Volunteer experience.

Placement Types

Immersive Placement

Spend 10–12 months living and volunteering in Senegal, giving yourself the time to truly become part of your host community.
You’ll build strong relationships, develop your language skills and experience everyday Senegalese life while growing in confidence, independence and understanding of another culture.

Focused Placement

Spend 6–8 months living and volunteering in Senegal. You’ll have time to settle into your project and community, develop your language skills and build meaningful relationships while experiencing a completely different culture.

Discovery Placement

Discover life in Senegal over 3–4 months, immersing yourself in your local community while supporting your project.
Experience Senegalese culture first-hand, develop your language skills and challenge yourself somewhere completely new – all while experiencing the warmth of Senegalese hospitality.

Find out more about our Placement Types here

What can you do?

TESOL – Teaching English

Support students to develop their English through engaging lessons and activities.

You’ll help plan and deliver English lessons, with opportunities to get involved beyond the classroom through activities such as English clubs.

Primary Teaching

Become part of everyday life in a Primary School, supporting pupils across a range of subjects and activities.

You’ll bring your own enthusiasm and creativity into the classroom, helping pupils learn while developing your own teaching, communication and leadership skills.

Find out more about Project Types here
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What does life as a Volunteer look like?

FOOD

Sharing food is an important part of life in Senegal. Volunteers usually eat with local families, giving you plenty of opportunities to experience Senegalese food and hospitality.
Look out for thieboudienne, Senegal’s famous rice and fish dish, and make time for attaya – the tea ceremony that often brings friends, families and communities together.

Living

Volunteers live in shared accommodation in small to medium-sized towns, giving you the independence to create your own home while becoming part of the community around you.
Daily life is sociable and communal, with plenty of opportunities to build relationships with neighbours, colleagues, pupils and local families.

TRAVEL

From the colourful streets of Dakar and the historic island of Gorée to Atlantic beaches, wildlife and the landscapes of the Senegal River and Sine-Saloum, there’s plenty to explore.
Whether travelling along the coast or discovering another part of the country, your time off is another chance to experience more of Senegal.

Have questions about Volunteering in Senegal?

Enquire Now

A Timeline of your Placement

  • Towards the beginning of July you will attend our 4 day residential training course in Scotland. It’s a brilliant time to get to know other Volunteers and get prepared for your placement
  • Departure time! You will depart with your country group toward the end of September/beginning of October
  • You’ll return from your placement in August
  • Our Debriefing course is held toward the end of August and is a fantastic time to reflect on your placement and share memories with other Volunteers.
  • Towards the beginning of December you will attend our 4 day residential training course in Scotland. It’s a brilliant time to get to know other Volunteers and get prepared for your placement
  • Departure time! You will depart with your country group in the first few weeks of January
  • You’ll return from your placement in August
  • Our Debriefing course is held toward the end of August and is a fantastic time to reflect on your placement and share memories with other Volunteers.

Summer Departure

  • Towards the beginning of July you will attend our 4 day residential training course in Scotland. It’s a brilliant time to get to know other Volunteers and get prepared for your placement
  • Departure time! You will depart with your country group toward the end of September/beginning of October
  • You’ll return from your placement in December
  • Our Debriefing course is held in August and is a fantastic time to reflect on your placement and share memories with other Volunteers.

Winter Departure

  • Towards the beginning of December you will attend our 4 day residential training course in Scotland. It’s a brilliant time to get to know other Volunteers and get prepared for your placement
  • Departure time! You will depart with your country group in the first few weeks of January
  • You’ll return from your placement towards the end of Marchl.
  • Our Debriefing course is held in August and is a fantastic time to reflect on your placement and share memories with other Volunteers.

Ready to start your Project Trust Journey?

Apply Now
  • Towards the beginning of July you will attend our 4 day residential training course in Scotland. It’s a brilliant time to get to know other Volunteers and get prepared for your placement
  • Departure time! You will depart with your country group in last few weeks of September/beginning of October.
  • You’ll return from your placement in August
  • Our Debriefing course is held towards the end of August and is a fantastic time to reflect on your placement and share memories with other Volunteers.
  • Towards the beginning of December you will attend our 4 day residential training course in Scotland. It’s a brilliant time to get to know other Volunteers and get prepared for your placement
  • Departure time! You will depart with your country group in the first few weeks of January
  • You’ll return from your placement in August
  • Our Debriefing course is held towards the end of August and is a fantastic time to reflect on your placement and share memories with other Volunteers.

Summer Departure

  • Towards the beginning of July you will attend our 4 day residential training course in Scotland. It’s a brilliant time to get to know other Volunteers and get prepared for your placement
  • Departure time! You will depart with your country group toward the end of September/beginning of October
  • You’ll return from your placement in December.
  • Our Debriefing course is held in August and is a fantastic time to reflect on your placement and share memories with other Volunteers.

Winter Departure

  • Towards the beginning of December you will attend our 4 day residential training course in Scotland. It’s a brilliant time to get to know other Volunteers and get prepared for your placement
  • Departure time! You will depart with your country group in the first few weeks of January
  • You’ll return from your placement towards the end of March.
  • Our Debriefing course is held in August and is a fantastic time to reflect on your placement and share memories with other Volunteers.

Language:
French · Wolof – with plenty of opportunities to develop your skills through everyday life.

Accommodation:
Shared accommodation within small to medium-sized towns, often living with host families.

Don’t miss:
Dakar · Gorée Island · Atlantic beaches · Sine-Saloum · Local markets

Food:
Thieboudienne · Shared meals · Attaya tea

Travel to neighbouring countries and explore all that West Africa has to offer.

Culture:
Experience Senegal’s traditions, predominantly Muslim culture and famous spirit of Teranga – hospitality and generosity.

Hear from our past Volunteers….

Latest news & stories from Senegal

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