About The Gambia

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Image of video frame — Peace Corps The Gambia is built around the relationships between Volunteers and the Gambian people. If we work together, we can accomplish anything

The first Peace Corps Volunteers arrived in The Gambia at the invitation of the Gambian government in September 1967. They worked in skilled trades as mechanics, engineers, and carpenters, and they organized village cooperatives. Now, with 50 years of continuous activity, over 1,800 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in the Gambia.

Today, Volunteers work in three different sectors: Education, Agriculture/ Environment, and Health.

Education Volunteers have organized resource centers for primary schools, developed teaching curricula and materials for classes, and worked alongside teachers to develop skills on best classroom practices. Agriculture/ Environment Volunteers have helped improve vegetable crop and fruit tree production in gardens and orchards while working towards promoting sustainable practices. Health Volunteers have worked with local health workers to combat the spread of malaria along with promoting maternal and child health and proper hygiene and sanitation.

Peace Corps The Gambia Volunteers dedicate themselves to community integration, developing local language skills, and understanding of Gambian culture. Pre-service training is conducted entirely in rural villages away from the capital region. All Volunteers live with host families during this training period and continue to live with a host family once moved to a permanent site. Because they live and work in communities for extended periods of time, Volunteers appropriately address challenges and issues to be successful at the community level. A few Volunteers live in small cities, but most Volunteers are assigned to rural towns and villages. Peace Corps currently has Volunteers placed in all regions of the country.

Peace Corps Response

The Peace Corps Response (PCR) program offers opportunities for skilled professionals to serve for 6-12 months in The Gambia.

The Response Program is new to Peace Corps The Gambia. Previously, Volunteers who extended for a third year were placed in government institutions and agencies, NGOs, and UN systems. Now, instead of placing third-year Volunteers, PCR brings in mid-career professionals to assist Gambian partners.

Response Volunteers work in Agriculture and Environment, Education, and Health, as well as Youth Empowerment. The focus of the partner organization will determine the exact focus of the Volunteer. In their work, the Response Volunteer will aim to help with organizational development and strengthening staff capacity so that the impact of their work continues after their term of service.

In addition to the strong partnership base of Peace Corps The Gambia, Response Volunteers benefit from more comfortable accommodations than traditional Volunteers. In exchange, they are held to high standards regarding independence, resourcefulness, and professionalism.

Peace Corps The Gambia, Annual Review 2016

Volunteer satisfaction, health, and safety

Resources

Peace Corps service is a life-changing experience, and no two Volunteers experience their service in exactly the same way. Check out some of the links below to learn more about our country and the experiences other Volunteers have had serving here.

U.S. Department of State

To find information about countries around the world, including social and political history, travel information, and U.S. embassy websites.

Manuals and guides

Home to online resources representing the work and life of Peace Corps staff and Volunteers.

The National Peace Corps Association (NPCA)

Made up of Returned Volunteers. You can find links to the “Friends of” groups for most countries of service.

U.S. Agency for International Development

Learn more about other U.S. international development initiatives.

Social media

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