Community Health Promoter

Many Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) find the opportunity to adapt and adjust to new ways of living and working to be a both challenging and rewarding experience. Peace Corps staff work in partnership with PCVs and their host families and counterparts to ensure they have the language skills and intercultural strategies they need to integrate and adapt effectively and appropriately in this cultural exchange. An open mind and patience are helpful, and a PCV is likely to find their creativity, flexibility, and sense of humor among their strongest assets.

HOUSING: During the 10 weeks of Pre-Service Training (PST), each Peace Corps Trainee in Sierra Leone lives with a host family and has their own room. For the subsequent two years of service, PCVs live independently in housing that consists of two rooms and a parlor, with their own individual toilet/outhouse and room for bathing. Houses are located within a neighborhood, and many homes do not have electricity or running water. Some communities have access to generators that can provide electricity/battery recharges, but this is not standard. It is at most a 15-minute walk to a potable water source.

COMMUNICATION: Trainees receive a phone soon after arrival in the country to use for their term of service, and can call Peace Corps staff and other Volunteers at no charge. Each PCV has network coverage within their community, within walking distance of their home. Peace Corps staff receive mail for PCVs at the main post office in Freetown and can deliver it to PCVs.

TRANSPORTATION: PCVs primarily use public transportation to travel to city centers. Peace Corps Sierra Leone provides bicycles and mandatory helmets to PCVs who want them for their daily routines.

FOOD: PCVs have access to a marketplace close to their homes. It is common to have “looma” days where community members bring and sell items in a central location. The typical meal is a sauce called “soup” or “gravy” made of meat, fish, and/or vegetables served over rice. Other favorite foods include fufu with okra sauce, an assortment of fried cakes, plantains, potatoes, chicken with pepe (hot peppers or gravy), and gari (a flour-like substance made from harvested cassava). Beans, onions, peppers, eggplant, cabbage, tomato, cucumber, and carrots are typically available. Peanuts and sesame seed cakes are popular snacks. Fruits such as pineapple, banana, papaya, coconut, avocado, orange, watermelon, and mango are seasonal. Vegetarians and vegans can maintain a balanced diet, but this can be a challenge when eating with a host family or community members, as most cooked dishes have meat in them.

HEALTH & SAFETY: The health, safety, and security of its Volunteers are the Peace Corps' top priorities. Throughout service, PCVs are trained and supported to work in partnership with their counterparts, host communities, and fellow PCVs to prevent, mitigate and/or manage potential safety-, security-, and health-related risks and challenges. These trainings permit PCVs to work alongside community members within the policies and rules of Peace Corps and the local and national laws of the government of Sierra Leone. The Peace Corps Sierra Leone team includes two dedicated Medical Officers, a Safety and Security Manager, and other designated staff who are always available to support and respond to PCVs’ health, safety, and security needs.

SOCIAL CLIMATE: Sierra Leoneans are known for their hospitality. Peace Corps Sierra Leone welcomes PCVs from various backgrounds in the U.S., and staff and currently serving PCVs are committed to supporting Volunteers through challenges. Because Sierra Leone has some restrictive laws against certain sexual acts, LGB Volunteers in particular must be mindful of cultural norms and country-specific laws and use their best judgment in their communities and host countries. Staff and currently-serving PCVs will address this topic during PST and identify support mechanisms for incoming Trainees.

Learn more about the living conditions, including detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics on our Sierra Leone country page. You can also delve into stories about local communities by reading our blog or Volunteer stories.