Welcome to your best source of information for Peace Corps Senegal! If you’re considering volunteering in Senegal, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll tell you more about the history of the Peace Corps in Senegal and explore Senegal as a nation. You’ll learn about the languages spoken in the country and hear about other volunteers experiences. You can find more information about safety and health issues here too. And we’ll tell you how to connect with returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who served in Senegal. Get ready to find out more about information to help you decide if serving in Senegal is right for you.
Volunteers in Senegal work in Agriculture and Environment (usually leave in September); Community Economic Development (CED) and Health (usually leave in March).
What is the History of Peace Corps Senegal?
The Peace Corps has sent volunteers to Senegal since 1963. This makes Senegal one of the first countries to host Peace Corps volunteers. More than 4,200 volunteers have served in Senegal over the years. Volunteers have worked on many different projects including education, health, farming, the environment, and community development.
Some of the main programs in Senegal have been teaching English, health and HIV/AIDS education, improving farming methods, protecting the environment, and helping communities through business training and computer skills. By living and working with local people, Peace Corps volunteers have made long-lasting impacts and helped Senegal develop for over 50 years.
What about Senegal as a nation?
Senegal is a country in West Africa located on the Atlantic Ocean coast. It has over 15 million people from ethnic groups like the Wolof, Fula, Serer, Jola, and Mandinka. French is the official language. But native languages like Wolof are also widely spoken. About 90% of the people are Muslim.
Senegal gained independence from France in 1960 and has been one of Africa’s more stable countries. Agriculture and fishing are important parts of the economy, as well as industries like mining, tourism, and services. Major cities are the capital Dakar, Touba, Thiès, and Saint-Louis. Senegal has a democratic government. Senegalese culture is full of music, festivals, hospitality, and wrestling. Senegal is a peaceful and vibrant nation that has become a regional leader in West Africa.
What languages do they speak in Senegal?
The official language of Senegal is French. This is because Senegal was a French colony in the past. However, only about 20-30% of people in Senegal speak French fluently.
The most widely spoken native language in Senegal is Wolof. Over 80% of Senegalese use Wolof as either their first or second language.
Wolof is used for communication between different ethnic groups and in markets, schools, and public places. French is still important for official and formal purposes, and is the language taught in schools. But for daily talking and culture, most Senegalese use Wolof and their own local native languages.
During their service in Senegal, Volunteers learn to speak local languages, including Fulakunda, Jaxanke, Mandinka, Pulaar du Nord, Pulafuta, Seereer, and Wolof.
How safe is it serve as a volunteer in Senegal?
In general, 93% of volunteers felt safe or very safe where they lived in Senegal. And 95% felt safe or very safe where they worked. 12% of volunteers early terminated. But more detailed information about safety compared to other Peace Corps countries can be found in the Senegal Country Crime Profile.
Most of the medical problems seen in Senegal are also found in the United States, such as colds, diarrhea, skin infections, headaches, minor injuries, sexually transmitted infections, adjustment disorders, and emotional problems. For Volunteers, these problems may be more frequent or compounded by life in Senegal because local factors raise the risk of or exacerbate the severity of certain illnesses.
The medical problems specific to Senegal are yellow fever, typhoid, meningitis, Hepatitis A and B, diarrhea, rabies, skin infections, dental problems, headaches, respiratory infections, minor injuries, amoebic dysentery, HIV/AIDS, and STIs. Health problems also can result from local environmental factors, such as dust, humidity, insects, and disease-producing microorganisms. Because malaria is endemic in Senegal, Volunteers are required to take anti-malarial medication.
But more detailed information about health related issues at Peace Corps Senegal can be found in the Senegal Health and Medical Care Summary.
What do volunteers think of serving in Senegal?
Since 1975, the Annual Volunteer Survey has been a source of information on the state of the Peace Corps (PC) program for the agency, Congress, researchers, the media, and the general public. In 2019, 87% of volunteers found their overall Peace Corps service rewarding or very rewarding. 84% of volunteers would still make the same decision to serve with the Peace Corps today. 85% of volunteers would recommend Peace Corps service to others. More information can be found in the Senegal Annual Volunteer Survey Satisfaction Results.
Where can I learn more about PC Senegal volunteer experiences?
PCV blogs and YouTube channels offer a unique look into the daily life of volunteers serving in Senegal. These blogs and channels can help you understand the challenges and triumphs that come with being a volunteer. Explore these links for inspiring stories and practical advice from current and past volunteers.
Blog and YouTube Channel Links:
- Dana – 2013-16
- Grace (CED) – 2016-17
- Emily (Health) – 2013-15
- Chris (Agriculture) – 2017-20
- Caitlin (Agriculture) – 2017-19
- Laura (CED) – 2015-17
- Sara (CED) – 2016-18
- Katie (Agriculture) – 2016-18
- Suzie (Agriculture) – 2019-20
If you’re interested in learning more about serving in Senegal, I’ve got you covered! Click here to see all of my posts about Peace Corps Senegal with details on the experience, culture, food, packing tips, and more.
How can I connect with Returned PCVs who served in Senegal?
And where can I find official information about Peace Corps Senegal?
- PeaceCorps.gov/Senegal
- Projects in Senegal
- Stories from Senegal
- Preparing to Volunteer
- Living Conditions
- Training
- Health
- Safety and Security
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Packing Guidance
Conclusion:
This blog post has provided you with information to help you decide if serving in Senegal is right for you. You have gained insights into the cultural, linguistic, and developmental aspects of the country. We have also touched on the safety considerations and health-related information relevant to volunteers. And, you learned how to connect with returned Peace Corps Volunteers. For more information about Peace Corps Senegal, you can visit the Peace Corps website or explore the provided resources. We hope this post has been helpful in your quest for information on Peace Corps Senegal.
Map by TUBS and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Photos from the US Peace Corps Senegal Facebook page and PC Media Library
