
Become a SWAY Ministry Volunteer
We are looking for volunteers in the following areas:
- Educators to teach in our local Library in The Gambia
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- School Presentations – raising awareness of sex trafficking and sexual abuse
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- Visit Hope for Redlights – prepare activities and bring hope to women who are in the Red light district
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- Mentor a survivor – come and share your life journey to encourage victims/survivors; come to empower women and children who need much love and inspiration
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- Community awareness – raising awareness in the communities regarding sex trafficking and sexual abuse
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Read about Yolanda's volunteer experience
My mission at Samaritana Gambia was to volunteer at the Library next door of Hope House (Samaritana Gambia’s Compound). I brought several types of school supplies: pencils, paper, coloring books, crayons, markers, erasers, storybooks, flashcards and gifts for the children. I also helped to renovate the Library. I had anywhere from 20-25 children per day: approx.10 children in the morning and about approx.12 children in the afternoon. I documented all of our activities in the Red book. The Library is desperately in need of coloring books, crayons, pencils and notebooks.
Reading comprehension was key. Therefore, we did Storytime at least twice per day.
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Spelling tests to hear words that clash with their accents; encouraged independent reading; talked about reading/book clubs with older girls who are friends; encouraged hope possibilities, travel and education.
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Health
Malaria is wide known here in The Gambia. It is important that you visit your personal physician or health department before your arrival. I was given malaria pills to start before I left the USA and it will continue after I return. Also, I was given anti-diarrhea pills with clear instructions on their usage. You need to pay close attention to everything you eat. Refrigeration is difficult. Example, mayonnaise is often not refrigerated after it’s open and it did make me sick. I was very cautious with sauces and any local foods. The only items I could eat were rice(plain), chicken, cucumbers, potatoes, tomatoes, eggs, ramen noodles. I was very careful eating restaurant and /or local foods.
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Clothing
What to bring depends on the season. I brought a light windbreaker jacket, I ordered from Amazon, which also double as a raincoat. It did not rain while I was here. Long sleeve shirts and half-sleeve shirts; I worn my jeans one day and it was too hot; spandex leggings were the best; flowing clothes are best; bathing suits; sandals – lots of sand here; flipflops are good as well. Bring facecloths; towels; drying for the beach
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Important
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Keep your medicine with your carryon luggage
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Keep your Deet (mosquito spray) with you; keep a change of clothes in your carryon.
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Keep your toiletries in your carryon
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Keep your external charger in your carryon; bring adapter for your phone/laptop
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Bring loose fitting clothing
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Bring “new” $100 bills to exchange for dalasis (they do not take old bills)
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Bring enough money for your visa when you arrive at airport ($125) it’s for 5 years
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Remember there is a $20 airport fee (D1,000) when you leave to go home
Logistics
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Lights out! The lights will go out here in the Gambia at any given time so keep everything charge as much as possible.
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At times, water pressure gets low to flush toilet so there is a bucket and scooper beside the toilet to flush it.
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Make sure you buy toilet tissue; body soap – no sweet smells
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Buy bottled water; do not drink the tap water unless you boil it first; or eat ice from tap water.
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Make sure to purchase an external charger and keep it charged up. When lights go off you can’t go to your car and charge your phone (jokes!!!)
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Download WhatsApp – this service is free for communicate back home with family and friends. Inform them about it so they too can download it.
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Cooking is done on a gas stove. Even if the lights are out, you can still cook because it is a gas cylinder used; it may be by candlelight or flashlight, but you won’t be hungry.
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Miscellaneous
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I did my shopping across the street from Samaritana Gambia Hope House and at Right Choice on the other side of the Bakau Market; I only used the Bakau market to buy tomatoes and cucumbers.
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Check the expiration dates on food items you buy.
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If you buy margarine or butter, it will not necessarily be refrigerated. Drinking Sprite kept my stomach settled.
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Use liquid soap to wash clothes.
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I could not use the mosquito net in my room as it was too heavy and made be hotter. After I showered, I sprayed my deet on; covered with a light sheet and I was ok. I fought a mosquito twice; they secretly bite me outside.
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The rooster and the hen next door will fight sometimes all day. He will cooka-doodle doo all hours of the day.
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The dogs (Yany and Jax)at Samaritana Gambia are great deterrents especially at night. Jax is able to howl an octave above soprano and hold it. They bark and growl the fiercest if they are after a NY rat. They will kill it and not eat it, leave it in view to be picked up.
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Around 5am you will hear the Muslims cry out for prayer.
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If you are really quiet, you can hear the Atlantic Ocean. The view is beautiful
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I don’t think I will ever get used to the smells which entered my nostrils. Carry a fan.
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I don’t think I will ever get used to the trash that is freely thrown onto the streets. I made sure the Library area was kept cleaned and encouraged the students to do the same.
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I learned to be still too when the lights went out, knowing this too shall pass.
Money/Dalasi (D)
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Bring new $100 bills for exchange. They will not take old dollars. The Exchange rate vary each day.
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Make sure you have $20 USD Entry fee upon arrival to Banjul (The Gambia’s airport)
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Make sure you have at least $125 for your visa on arrival.
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Make sure you have D1000 when you prepare to return home for airport exit fee.
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I stayed on my budget as much as possible, putting money aside to eat out, taxi rides, excursions, and gifts.
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Cell phone
If you have a phone that’s unlocked, you can take out your Sim card and get a local Sim card and receive a local number. If your phone is locked, you will not be able to take out your Sim card for a local number, unless you want to pay to get your phone unlocked. (Now, they offer e-Sim.)
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The People of The Gambia
The people here are very polite. Many of them speak English. However, because of the accents, there is definitely a language barrier; and also usage of words and how you or they may hear the words. I always asked one of my students to tell them (other students) in Wolof, the local language so they could understand better. Communication and comprehension are keys in an attempt to understand them even though they may speak English. They are beautiful and kind and sometimes with their language, it sounds like they are arguing. I enjoyed listening and watching from the window in the front room or at the café (Solomelo) next door to Samaritana. I ordered “Chips” which was French fried potatoes. You will come to learn things on your own. Just enjoy the experience.
Everyone is very different was how I saw each person. One customary experience I had was when I purchased toilet tissue for the library’s bathroom. I was informed it would not be needed because 95% of the people did not use toilet tissue, they use water and their left hand. I always made sure hand sanitizer was available – no more handshakes, only fist pumps!!! lol
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(Disclaimer: This view is that of Yolanda Prescott’s experience in October 2023.)
