Country Welcome for The Gambia

Greetings from Peace Corps The Gambia!

I'm delighted to greet you from "the Smiling Coast of Africa"! While The Gambia is not well-known to many U.S. citizens, this country is beautiful, dynamic, and filled with incredible scenery, music, food, and culture. The beaches, river, and savannah are stunning and filled with dynamic wildlife—especially birdlife. I hope that you will dig in on this page to learn more about what it's like to serve here in The Gambia. If you're on Instagram, Facebook, and/or YouTube, you can find a lot of great content from our Peace Corps Volunteers.

We are happy to be one of the countries currently offering a 1-year service model, with the option to extend for several months or several years. Our post is proud to boast one of the highest extension rates in the world, which is a testament to the happiness of the Volunteers who land here.

The Gambia has a long and rich history with the United States and with the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps was founded in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy with the purpose of promoting world peace and friendship. Peace Corps came to The Gambia in 1967. Since the start, over 2,000 Volunteers have served the people of The Gambia. Volunteers serve in our primary sectors of Agriculture/Environment, Education, and Health.

Over the years Volunteers have worked in some of the most remote parts for the country serving in all six of our regions; Greater Banjul, West Coast, Lower River, North Bank, Central River and Upper River. All Trainees participate in an intensive pre-service training that provides language training, technical instruction, and intercultural information that is critical for integration and adjustment. Volunteers are assigned to learn one of the most widely spoken languages in The Gambia to enhance their ability to successfully integrate in their communities. These languages include: Mandinka, Pulaar, Wolof, Jola and Serahule. Volunteers partner with Gambians to accomplish community established goals and aspirations seeking to make a tremendous impact at the grassroots level.

The Gambia is a unique country that has a rich culture and friendly people with whom Volunteers can develop close personal relationships. It is widely known as a friendly and peaceful place. From the day Volunteers arrive in-country, they are immersed in the dynamic and supportive culture of West Africa and The Gambia. Over the course of two years, Volunteers learn to achieve things in an environment that offers a unique independence that may only be realized, or appreciated, upon return to the United States. Many Volunteers in The Gambia find their experience to be life changing and rewarding.

We are tremendously proud to now have nearly 50 Volunteers in the country. We hope you may consider joining them!

With sincerity from the Smiling Coast of West Africa,

Country Director Siiri Morley