Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where can I volunteer?
A. In theory you can choose from the whole of Africa; however, some countries have very few or no voluntary work opportunities. We have excluded projects in countries which we deem too dangerous.
Q. How long can I volunteer for?
A. Most voluntary work requires a minimum commitment. This might be a number of weeks, months or years. Each project has its own set of requirements.
Q. Can I volunteer with a friend or partner?
A. Yes. Many organizations will accept friends and partners.
Q. Can families work together?
A. Yes. However there are a limited number of volunteering opportunities for families.
Q. Can I talk to past volunteers?
A. Yes. You should always ask an organization to give you the contact details of previous volunteers.
Q. How far in advance should I apply for a project?
A. As a general rule you should apply for a volunteer placement as far in advance as possible. Although you should be able to find an opportunity at late notice, by planning ahead you will have a greater choice of projects from which to choose from (i.e. they won’t be full).
Q. How much do the projects cost?
A. Our volunteer projects database provides a diverse and worthwhile selection of volunteering opportunities to choose from for all budgets. Please visit the projects page for some examples.
Q. What about languages?
A. The predominant language spoken is English; however, some projects require volunteers to speak French.
Q. Does your database offer volunteering opportunities for all ages?
A. Yes. Although there are more opportunities for the 16 – 40 age group; our database caters for people of all ages (children, teenagers, adults, seniors 60+).
Q. Who can use the database?
A. Our database is for people of all nationalities, backgrounds and ages.
Q. What types of organizations do you include in your database?
A. Our preference is for local grassroots organizations; however, we have also included many foreign run organizations because we know that some volunteers like the security and the type of projects they provide. In short, we have included what we consider to be the best volunteer programmes available in Africa and there is something for all ages and budgets.
Q. What type of projects are on the database?
A. A diverse and interesting range of environmental and humanitarian projects are included on the database. They range from monitoring elephant herds to helping out at orphanages. Please visit the projects page for some examples.
Q. Do I contact the organisations myself?
A. Volunteers are responsible for contacting the organisations themselves. Volunteer 4 Africa is not a placement service.
Q. How can I be sure that the organizations listed are reputable?
A. There are hundreds of organizations offering volunteering opportunities in Africa. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the organizations included on the database are reputable there is no substitute for independent investigation and sound judgment. You should check all organizations thoroughly before you sign up. Use an organisations website to thoroughly research a project. Ask the organisation to put you in touch with current or past volunteers. Talking with an ex-volunteer can answer many questions and help you decide if the project is the right for you. Further advice on choosing a volunteer programme can be found on various websites including Ethical Volunteering and the Year Out Group.
Q. Why do organizations charge money to volunteer?
A. There are many reasons why volunteers have to pay to volunteer and this varies from organization to organization. Many organizations provide a solid infrastructure and back-up for their volunteers. Many organizations build into their costs a contribution to the project that you will be helping. Many organizations rely on the financial input of volunteers as this is their main source of funding, and hence, the only way to ensure a project survives. If this is something that concerns you should ask to see the breakdown of where your money goes.
Q. How can I add my voluntary organization to the database?
A. Any organization offering volunteering opportunities within Africa can apply to have a free listing in our voluntary work database. Contact us and we will send you a form.
Q. Why do I have to pay to use the database?
A. Volunteer 4 Africa is an independent organization that receives no external support or funding. The small fee required to access the database will help us keep this service running and continue our support aid-reliant organizations throughout Africa.
Q. Do I need a PayPal account to access the database?
A. You can complete checkout without a PayPal account. Here’s how the checkout works: (1) you enter your name and shipping address; (2) you are then prompted for your credit card, email address, and phone number; (3) after reviewing your information, you may choose to save your information by creating a PayPal account to make future transactions faster (optional).
Q. What happens if I lose my internet connection or accidentally logout?
A. The database has a multiple login function to prevent you from being penalised should you lose your internet connection, accidentally logout or experience technical problems with your computer. This means you will not use another credit if you login again within a one hour period.
Q. Will I need any permits or visas?
A. You can find information on the visa requirements for all countries in Africa by using the links provided on this website. Volunteer 4 Africa is unable to provide assistance in obtaining visas and do not write letters in support of visa applications. You can also ask the organisation you intend to work with about the visa requirements of the country you intend to visit.
Q. What vaccinations do I need?
A. You can find information on the vaccinations required by using the links provided on this website. You should also contact your doctor or attend a travel clinic to find out which immunisations and other preventive measures are recommended for your journey.
Q. Do I need any qualifications?
A. Generally, most projects do not require any specialist qualifications. However, some of the more challenging positions may require you to have a university degree or vocational qualification.
Q. Do I need any previous experience?
A. Some organizations require volunteers to have previous experience in a particular type of work (i.e. veterinary experience). However, the majority of organizations included on our database require no previous work experience or formal skills.
Q. What currency do you use on this website?
A. All the projects shown on this website and in the database are priced in UK Sterling. If you would like to work out the cost of a project in a different currency please use the link to a currency converter provided on this website.
