A gap year in Gambia

Gap years in Gambia

A peanut-based economy, an eccentric president and a roaring sex trade make headlines for Gambia all over the world. Look past the controversy to see genuinely friendly people, incredible natural diversity, and lots of voluntary opportunities. No wonder it’s one of our favourite GAP destinations. Pack up and head out on one of these voluntary projects. And, when you’ve finished doing good things, rent a £10-a-night beach shack and lap up some African sunshine.

Gap Year Opportunities

What can you do on a gap year in The Gambia? There are literally hundreds of international projects throughout this small country: you can help young children to learn English, support a mobile medical clinic, or build a new community centre from mud-bricks.

Help Gambians to help themselves by taking part in a business development project. The Gambian economy has struggled for some time. Historically it has relied on agricultural trade (particularly nuts and fish); to resuscitate the national economy, businesses must diversify. As a result, business organisations are trying to build up rural enterprise by promoting new options like bee-keeping. As a business volunteer, you’ll provide administrative support to the business organisation and help train new staff.

One of the best ways to explore The Gambia is by staying in a rural village and meeting the people. You could volunteer as a primary school teacher, helping to increase the capacity in a local school. At the moment 79% of children are able to attend school, and volunteers are always welcome.

Tourism is another of The Gambia’s hopes for restoring the economy and conservation projects benefit both the country’s wildlife and tourist income. You can take part in a programme combining voluntary work with stays at some of the conservation lodges – such as the Chimpanzee Camp or Bird Safari Camp.

About Gambia

About half the size of Wales and populated by just over one and a half million people, The Gambia is a small, richly diverse, and truly endearing country. In terms of economy and health it’s one of Africa’s most advanced nations, with an AIDS rate of 1.3% and a GDP of 8.3%; although progress is being made, 60% of the population still lives beneath the poverty line. It receives international aid (including £3 million from the UK in 2007) which has helped the Gambian government to develop debt management strategies, improve the justice system, and enhance the provision of education.

The Gambia’s president, Yahya Jammeh, is a figure of national and international intrigue. Although he seized control of The Gambia in a military coup more than 10 years ago, Jammeh has since been democratically re-elected three times. A farmer at heart, Jammeh promotes self-sufficiency through agriculture, personally cultivating acres of land and trialling new varieties in search of higher-yielding crops. Controversially, this year Jammeh claimed that he can cure AIDS – using a secret combination of home-grown herbs – in three days. World experts were horrified at his statement, which they say could encourage Gambian people to relax their attitudes to contraception once more.

As this is a third-world country, The Gambia has fostered a culture of conmen. These are people who make a living from Western tourists – they’re professional bluffers or, worse, blackmailers. If you’re befriended by a Gambian, you don’t have to be cynical or suspicious, but if (s)he tells you a story of woe or simply asks for money, exercise your right to refuse. However, in the villages and rural areas – away from tourist hotspots – you will encounter genuinely friendly Gambian people, who will be delighted with small gifts and repay you with that famous indigenous hospitality.

Seeing Gambia

Worthy reasons aside, spending a gap year in The Gambia offers huge personal reward. This country is a bird-watcher’s paradise, with thousands of twitchers holidaying there every year – hoping to glimpse rare species like the Yellow-crowned Gonolek. Chris Packham of ‘The Really Wild Show’ leads annual excursions for devoted birders. If land-mammals really rock your boat, you can search for vervet, patas and red colobus monkeys – and of course the Gambian chimpanzee, which finds sanctuary on the shores of the River Gambia. Strap on your walking boots for an adventure in the Abuko Nature Reserve or Bijilo Forest Park.

Gambia’s coastline is always popular with tourists. Refurbished hotels, beach bars and plenty of watersports make it great for an end-of-trip wind-down. Rent a £10-a-night beach shack, indulge in a cocktail or two and get your hair braided… the perfect end to a tiring gap year…