Voluntary work
We offer volunteering opportunities in THE GAMBIA and ZANZIBAR (TANZANIA)..
VOLUNTEERING IN GAMBIA
Our organization offers volunteer opportunities in one of the poorest countries in Africa, The Gambia. In our opinion, Gambia is a very good choice for a first visit to Africa, a country of friendly and smiling people.
In any case, the experience of being a volunteer is priceless, something that will stay with you forever and give you many new connections
to make and to learn from.
AREAS OF VOLUNTARY WORK
Volunteering opportunities in Gambia can be done in many different areas:
If you want to work in any other area, you can let us know and we will check if we can make it happen and accommodate you.
Volunteering is carried out following the Volunteering Act and the principles of the Code of Ethics for Organized Volunteering.
WHO CAN VOLUNTEER?
Anyone with an interest in volunteering can become a volunteer.
There are many areas of work, so we suggest that you choose an area that you are passionate about or interested in. This will ensure that you enjoy the work.
There is no age limit and everyone who volunteers abroad must be of legal age.
The duration of your volunteering depends on your available (free) time, or how much time you are willing to give.
If you are a high school student or a university student and you apply for funding for your study visit through the Public Scholarship, Development, Disability, and Maintenance Fund of the Republic of Slovenia, high school students are expected to stay for at least 2 weeks, and university students are expected to do volunteer work for at least 3 weeks.
The call for applications, which is published annually, offers scholarships for students to go abroad for education or practical training. More information can be found
Information about the scholarship
Please pay attention to the application conditions and check beforehand whether you meet the basic requirements.
Funds from the public call can be obtained by high school or university students who are going on a study visit abroad, and whose home educational institution evaluates this mobility as part of the education program in Slovenia..
The funding is intended to support study visits by high school students from September 1st, 2023, and university students from October 1st, 2023, onwards. In this case, the study visit of the high school student starts no later than August 31st, 2024, and the study visit of the university student starts no later than September 30th, 2024.
Amount of the scholarship
The scholarship consists of a basic scholarship and a scholarship for travel expenses.
The basic grant will be awarded up to a maximum of 150 EUR for each completed week of the study visit during which the beneficiary is completing the requirements that will be recognized upon return, but not exceeding a total of 3.750 EUR for a study visit lasting 25 weeks or more.
The scholarship for travel expenses between the Republic of Slovenia and the country of the study visit is awarded in the amount of 100 EUR if the applicant
The scholarship for travel expenses between the Republic of Slovenia and the country of the study visit is awarded in the amount of 100 EUR if the applicant
is going on a study visit to a member state of the European Union, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Georgia, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Norway, North Macedonia, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine, the Vatican City or the United Kingdom. An applicant going on a study visit to a country not listed in the previous sentence is entitled to a scholarship for travel expenses in the amount of 500 EUR.
If the applicant has travel expenses partially or fully covered by other sources, they are not entitled to a scholarship for travel expenses.
How to apply: Applications must be submitted to the Public Scholarship, Development, Disability, and Maintenance Fund of the Republic of Slovenia
with the note “for the 348th call for proposals”.
For a three-week volunteering placement in The Gambia, you will be reimbursed €500 (travel expenses) and €150 per week (basic salary), for a total of €950.
Every volunteer who wishes to apply for a scholarship must keep a diary of their activities or keep a record of the number of hours they have worked. Keeping a volunteering diary is also a requirement for the scholarship.
After you return home you have 30 days to send all the necessary documentation to the Fund.
Based on the diary, you will receive a certificate from us confirming your completed volunteer work. This certificate also needs to be submitted when applying to the Fund.
COSTS OF VOLUNTARY WORK
Registration fee: 60 EUR
The registration fee includes two T-shirts with our logo (made of organic cotton), organization, support, and a certificate of completed volunteer work.
By paying the registration fee, you reserve your spot. You should wear the T-shirts at your workplace and the airport so that the driver waiting at the airport can quickly recognize you.
If you want additional T-shirts, you can order them from us via email at volunteering@hopeforkidsofafrica.com. The price of an extra T-shirt is €20.
FLIGHT TICKET:
The prices of airline tickets are very different depending on the dates of travel. Tickets are usually more expensive during the summer school holidays and around the new year.
We recommend buying tickets two months before your travel or earlier. For a one-way flight, it usually takes between 18 to 26 hours, including waiting time and transportation to and from the airport. You need to search for tickets to BANJUL, GAMBIA.
You can choose from:
• Brussels Airlines (https://www.brusselsairlines.com/us-en/homepage): prices range from €650 to €1200 for a return ticket, departing from Venice to Brussels (flight time approx. 2 hours), then from Brussels to Senegal and on to Gambia (flight time approx. 8 hours)
• Royal Air Maroc (https://www.royalairmaroc.com/int-en): prices range from €450 to €1000 for a return ticket, departing from Milan to Morocco (flight time approx. 3.5 hours) and from Morocco to Gambia (approx. 3.5 hours).
• Turkish Airlines (https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/): prices range from €500 to €1200 for a return ticket, departing from Venice or Ljubljana to Istanbul (flight time approx. 3 hours) and from Istanbul to Gambia (flight time approx. 7.5 hours).
• Tap Air Portugal (https://www.flytap.com/en-pt/): prices range from €500 to €1100 € for a return ticket, departure from Milan or Venice to Lisbon (approx. 3h) and from Lisbon to Gambia (approx. 4.5 hours).
If you need assistance with purchasing your flight ticket, please contact the travel agency SONČEK (https://www.sonchek.com/).
VACCINATIONS:
Before visiting a country, we recommend visiting the vaccination and travel medicine clinic (https://nijz.si/nalezljive-bolezni/ambulante/) to consult
with medical professionals about vaccinations.
No vaccination is mandatory for The Gambia, except for yellow fever if you are coming from a country where yellow fever is present.
Please note that the yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for entry into Senegal (if you are planning a trip to Senegal).
Recommended vaccinations (https://nijz.si/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Cepljenje-po- countries.pdf) :
for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, typhoid, meningococcal meningitis, rabies, and tetanus.
Gambia is a country with a high risk of malaria, so taking antimalarial drugs is recommended.
We recommend consulting a doctor at the vaccination and travel medicine clinic.
Tips for basic protection against malaria:
- Use insect repellents and wear long clothing to protect against mosquito bites.
- Use electric mosquito repellent vaporizers in rooms.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Before traveling abroad, you must arrange medical insurance with medical assistance abroad.
Several Slovenian insurance companies offer this type of insurance. We recommend https://www.coris.si/zavarovanja/izberite-zavarovanje, where you can insure yourself for the highest possible insurance sum, as treatment costs can rise quickly.
VIZUM
Slovenian citizens require a visa to enter The Gambia, but for tourist visits of up to 28 days, no visa fee is required, and you do not need to apply for it. The validity of your passport must be at least six months from the date of departure from the country.
However, if you stay in The Gambia for longer than 28 days, you will need to renew your visa with the authorities, which will cost around €20. Of course, we or our coordinators in The Gambia can help you with the visa extension.
AIRPORT TRANSFER (VENICE, MILANO)
There are many providers - GoOpti, Flixbus, and Nomago. We recommend booking as early as possible, otherwise, prices can be very high. You can also drive your own car and park at the nearby car parks, which are cheaper than airport parking.
TRANSPORT TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT – THE GAMBIA
At the airport, a driver will be waiting for you to take you to your accommodation or hotel. The approximate price of transportation from the airport is 15 euros, and you pay there.
The approximate price of transportation to the airport is also 15 euros.
ACCOMMODATION
There are several accommodation options in The Gambia, as it is quite a touristic country.
Depending on your preferences, we will find accommodation for you. Of course, prices are higher when it comes to accommodation in hotels.
In several locations, we offer accommodation in apartments, where the price ranges from 15 to 35 euros per day. The apartments are well-maintained and at a European standard, meaning
that each apartment has a bathroom and hot water.
AIRPORT TAX - SECURITY FEE
Upon arrival to The Gambia, an airport tax of 20 euros (or 1000 Gambian dalasis) is required to be paid at the airport.
The tax must also be paid when leaving the country.
GAMBIAN TRANSFERS:
You can get around The Gambia by public transport, which is the cheapest. Our guides will teach you how to use public transport and the taxi services you share with others. You can also use taxi cabs to get you from one location to another, which are much more expensive than shared taxis and public transport.
Using public transport, it will cost you about one euro (one way) to get from Senegambia to New Yundum, where the primary school we work with is located.
FOOD
You can dine at local restaurants, where a meal costs around €2.5 - €4. You can also cook for yourself, as the apartments have cooking facilities.
Restaurants in tourist areas and other international restaurants have very high (European) prices.
The Gambia has many supermarkets where you can get a lot of European products, most of which are quite expensive. You can buy tapalapa (bread) on the street for 10 dalasis (20 cents) and lots of fruit. Prices vary depending on where you shop, but mostly the same price for imported fruit (e.g., apples) which is not cheap.
ADDITIONAL EXPENSES
We recommend that you arrange a SIM card in The Gambia, which will allow you to connect to the world for around €5 (1GB). Other than that, there are additional costs related to your own spending and lifestyle, which include: entrance fees, drinks, souvenir purchases, internet spending, hair braiding, etc. However, we suggest that you use all your negotiating skills, as most prices can be negotiated.
The Gambia is not a cheap country, and it is a misconception that everything in Africa is cheap.
Many things are imported, so prices are high. In any case, our Gambian colleagues will also help you to know the real prices so that you know in advance how much certain things cost. The approximate cost of a three-week trip is €1500 - €2500.
HOW DOES A VOLUNTEER DAY LOOK LIKE?
How the volunteer day works: in the morning, between 7-8 AM, you will head to your new job - the place where you will volunteer. Work in schools varies but mostly runs from 9 AM to 1 PM. Afternoons are free for socializing and getting to know the culture and people. You and your guide can arrange excursions in advance: drumming on the beach, visiting the fishing village of Tanji, shopping or just strolling through a local market with handmade products, visiting a major market in Serekunda or Banjul, a day trip to the world-famous slave island of Kunta Kinteh, spending the day with a local family doing household chores, a trip to Senegal for a close-up look at lions, giraffes, rhinos, a visit to the island of Jinack, and much more.
Our coordinators in The Gambia will be at your service throughout your stay, so you will never be alone.
WARNINGS
Before traveling, please read the guidelines from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs: https://www.gov.si/drzave/gambija/
BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE GAMBIA
Official languages: English, Mandinka, Wolof, Fulani and others
Capital: Banjul
Area: 10.689 km²
Population: 1,882,450
Density: 176.1/km²
Time zone: UTC
National dialing code: + 220
More about the country HERE (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gambia)
VOLUNTEERING IN ZANZIBAR
We offer volunteering opportunities on one of the most beautiful islands in the world, the magical Zanzibar. Zanzibar belongs to Tanzania but has its own autonomy.
It is a very touristy island, but you will be surprised by the poverty and living conditions of the local people.
As a volunteer in Zanzibar, you will have access to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and have the opportunity to meet some of the most sensual and friendly people.
AREAS OF VOLUNTARY WORK
Volunteering in Zanzibar can be done in many different areas:
If you would like to work in a different area, please let us know and we will see if we can accommodate your request.
Volunteering is carried out following the Volunteering Act and the principles of the Code of Ethics for Organized Volunteering.
WHO CAN VOLUNTEER?
Anyone with an interest in volunteering can become a volunteer.
There are many areas of work, so we suggest that you choose an area that you are passionate about or interested in. This will ensure that you enjoy the work.
There is no age limit and everyone who volunteers abroad must be of legal age.
The duration of your volunteering depends on your available (free) time, or how much time you are willing to give.
If you are a high school student or a university student and you apply for funding for your study visit through the Public Scholarship, Development, Disability, and Maintenance Fund of the Republic of Slovenia, high school students are expected to stay for at least 2 weeks, and university students are expected to do
volunteer work for at least 3 weeks. The call for applications, which is published annually, offers scholarships for students to go abroad for education or practical training.
The call for applications, which is published annually, offers scholarships for students to go abroad for education or practical training. More information can be found
Information about the scholarship
Please pay attention to the application conditions and check beforehand whether you meet the basic requirements.
Funds from the public call can be obtained by high school or university students who are going on a study visit abroad, and whose home educational institution evaluates this mobility as part of the education program in Slovenia.
The funding is intended to support study visits by high school students from September 1st, 2023, and university students from October 1st, 2023, onwards. In this case, the study visit of the high school student starts no later than August 31st, 2024 and the study visit of the university student starts no later than September 30th, 2024.
Amount of the scholarship
The scholarship consists of a basic scholarship and a scholarship for travel expenses.
The basic grant will be awarded up to a maximum of 150 EUR for each completed week of the study visit during which the beneficiary is completing the requirements that will be recognized upon return, but not exceeding a total of 3.750 EUR for a study visit lasting 25 weeks or more.
The scholarship for travel expenses between the Republic of Slovenia and the country of the study visit is awarded in the amount of 100 EUR if the applicant
is going on a study visit to a member state of the European Union, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Georgia, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Norway, North Macedonia, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine, the Vatican City or the United Kingdom. An applicant going on a study visit to a country not listed in the previous sentence is entitled to a scholarship for travel expenses in the amount
of 500 EUR. If the applicant has travel expenses partially or fully covered by other sources, they are not entitled to a scholarship for travel expenses.
How to apply: Applications must be submitted to the Public Scholarship, Development, Disability, and Maintenance Fund of the Republic of Slovenia
with the note “for the 348th call for proposals”.
For a three-week volunteering placement in The Gambia, you will be reimbursed €500 (travel expenses) and €150 per week (basic salary), for a total of €950.
Every volunteer who wishes to apply for a scholarship must keep a diary of their activities or keep a record of the number of hours they have worked. Keeping a volunteering diary is also a requirement for the scholarship.
After you return home you have 30 days to send all the necessary documentation to the Fund.
Based on the diary, you will receive a certificate from us confirming your completed volunteer work. This certificate also needs to be submitted when applying to the Fund. The most important thing is to match the purpose of volunteering with your field of study, as this is the only way your school will issue you with a certificate.
COSTS OF VOLUNTARY WORK
Registration fee: 60 EUR
The registration fee includes two T-shirts with our logo (made of organic cotton), organization, support, and a certificate of completed volunteer work.
By paying the registration fee, you reserve your spot. You should wear the T-shirts at your workplace and the airport so that the driver waiting at the airport can quickly recognize you.
If you want additional T-shirts, you can order them from us via email at volunteering@hopeforkidsofafrica.com. Cena dodatne majice je 20 evrov.
FLIGHT TICKET:
The prices of airline tickets are very different depending on the dates of travel. Tickets are usually more expensive during the summer school holidays and around the new year.
We recommend buying tickets two months before your travel or earlier.
For a one-way flight, it usually takes between 18 to 26 hours, including waiting time and transportation to and from the airport.
You need to search for tickets to ZANZIBAR, TANZANIA.
You can choose from:
• FLY DUBAI (https://www.flydubai.com/en/): prices range from €800 to €1300 for a return ticket, departing from Ljubljana to Dubai (flight time approx. 5.5hours), then from Dubai to Zanzibar (flight time approx. 5hours)
• ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES (https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/IT/EN): departure from Vienna.
If you need assistance with purchasing your flight ticket, please contact
the travel agency SONČEKhttps://www.sonchek.com/).
VACCINATIONS:
Before visiting a country, we recommend visiting the vaccination and travel medicine clinic (https://nijz.si/nalezljive-bolezni/ambulante/), to consult with
medical professionals about vaccinations.
No vaccination is mandatory for Gambia, except for yellow fever if you are coming from a country where yellow fever is present. Please note that the yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for entry into Senegal (if you are planning a trip to Senegal).
Recommended vaccinations (https://nijz.si/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Cepljenje-po- countries.pdf) :
for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, typhoid, meningococcal meningitis, rabies, and tetanus.
Gambia is a country with a high risk of malaria, so taking antimalarial drugs is recommended.
We recommend consulting a doctor at the vaccination and travel medicine clinic.
Tips for basic protection against malaria:
- Use insect repellents and wear long clothing to protect against mosquito bites.
- Use electric mosquito repellent vaporizers in rooms.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Before traveling abroad, you must arrange medical insurance with medical assistance abroad.
Several Slovenian insurance companies offer this type of insurance. We recommend https://www.coris.si/zavarovanja/izberite-zavarovanje, where you can insure yourself for the highest possible insurance sum, as treatment costs can rise quickly.
VIZUM
Slovenian citizens need a visa to enter Tanzania, which you can obtain on arrival at the airport, for which you must pay 50 dollars.
We recommend paying in dollars, as otherwise, they charge the same amount in euros, which are worth much more than dollars. Visa allows you to stay in the
country for up to 90 days. The validity of the passport must be at least six months from the date of departure from the country.
AIRPORT TRANSFER (VENICE, MILANO)
There are many providers - GoOpti, Flixbus, and Nomago. We recommend booking as early as possible, otherwise, prices can be very high.
You can also drive your own car and park at the nearby car parks, which are cheaper than airport parking.
TRANSPORT TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT - IN ZANZIBAR
A driver will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to your accommodation or hotel.
ACCOMMODATION
There are several accommodation options in Zanzibar, as it is a very touristic island.
Depending on your preferences, we will find accommodation for you. Of course, prices are higher when it comes to accommodation in hotels.
In Zanzibar, we offer accommodation with a local family that is close to schools and kindergartens.
This accommodation is very basic, without a bathroom and hot water (priced between 10 to 15 dollars per day, including accommodation and food).
Accommodation is also available in European standard rooms, with a bathroom and hot water, priced approximately between 10 to 35 dollars (bed and breakfast).
In this case, you will need to take local transport to the school, either a dala dala or tuk tuk, which takes about 5-10 minutes.
TRANSFERS AROUND ZANZIBAR
You can get around Zanzibar by public transport, which is the cheapest.
The buses are called dala dala, then they have motorbikes called piki piki.
And a slightly more comfortable tuk-tuk. Local transport is quite cheap.
Our coordinators in Zanzibar will help you learn how to use public transport and taxis and will also inform you about the prices.
FOOD
You can dine at local restaurants, where a meal costs around €2.5-10. Restaurants in tourist areas and other international restaurants have very European prices, so we recommend local restaurants, which are very tasty.
Zanzibar has a large market where you can find almost everything and, in the capital, there is a very famous food market where you can get very tasty seafood for 10 euros or less.
Compared to The Gambia, Zanzibar has quite a lot of food on the streets, and all the food is very good.
ADDITIONAL EXPENSES
We recommend getting a SIM card in Zanzibar, which will allow you to stay connected. You can get an e-SIM card for around 30 euros for one month.
Other than that, there are additional costs related to your spending and lifestyle, which include: entrance fees, drinks, souvenir purchases, internet spending, hair braiding, etc.
However, we suggest that you use all your negotiating skills, as most prices can be negotiated. Zanzibar is not that cheap, and it is a misconception that everything in Africa is cheap. Many things are imported, so prices are high.
In any case, our Tanzanian colleagues will also help you to know the real prices so that you know in advance
how much certain things cost.
HOW DOES A VOLUNTEER DAY LOOK LIKE?
How the volunteer day works: in the morning, between 7 - 7:3AM, you will head to your new job - the place where you will volunteer.
Work in schools varies but mostly runs from 8 AM to 12 noon.
Afternoons are free for socializing and getting to know the culture and people.
You can pre-arrange excursions with your guide: a safari to the mainland, a tour of Stone Town, a visit to Prison Island, a Blue safari - snorkeling, a visit to the Nakupenda sand dunes, a spice plantation, and much more. Our coordinators in Zanzibar will be at your service throughout your stay, so you will never be alone.
WARNINGS
Before traveling, please read the guidelines from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs: https://www.gov.si/drzave/tanzanija/
BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT TANZANIA:
Official languages: Swahili, English
Capital: Dodoma
Area: 947.303 km2 km²
Population: 61.741,120
Density: 65.2/km²
Currency: Tanzanian shilling (TZS)
Time zone: UTC + 3
National dialing code: +255
More about the country HERE (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanzania)
More about the island HERE (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zanzibar)