Back to Top

Become a Teacher for Albino Children

World, Africa, , Thies

APPLY NOW

APPLY NOW

Travel dates

About the workproject

We need 4 volunteers

If you're looking for an immersive and transformative cultural experience that will help empower vulnerable children and a Senegalese local community, this is the project for you!

Our organization, the National Association of Albinism in Senegal, is looking for dynamic, positive and creative volunteer schoolteachers to lead classes for albinos and vulnerable children from disadvantaged families who would not have access to the educational system if it wasn't for local volunteer-led initiatives like this one.

Providing adapted education to Children Living with Albinism is our mission, and it's as crucial as it is difficult. Most of them don't have access to learning due to the discrimination they still face, their family's poverty and, perhaps most importantly, the current educational system's lack of understanding of their condition.

As our community-powered center does not receive any governmental help, we are looking for volunteers that are open-minded, easily adaptable and innovative in finding ways to teach without the resources that most Westerners might be used to.

These classes will take place in our association's center, which is located in the town of Thiès, 70 km away from Senegal's capital (Dakar). Thiès is a 30-minute taxi ride away from the International Blaise Diagne Airport. Free pick-up and drop-off at the airport is provided.

▲ Our Classes ▲

We are looking for volunteers to teach the following classes :

— Small and Intermediate sections: Between 5 and 10 children from 2 to 4 years old.

— Big section: About 15 children from 4 to 6 years old.

— Reading class: About 20 children from 6 to 8 years old. This class is only to be given by volunteers that can teach in French!

The Small and Intermediate section classes consist mainly of developmental activities, such as drawing, painting, coloring, DIY, theater, music, team games, sports, etc. Your specific passions and skills are more than welcome here: our children are always willing to discover new fun activities!

The Big section includes developmental activities (arts, sports, etc.) as well, with an added focus on teaching letters, numbers, and calligraphy to children in a playful, accessible and creative way.

The Reading class is pretty self-explanatory: it's all about teaching the children how to read and write (in French!), using simple storybooks and literary activities. It also includes very accessible math, science, history, and geography classes, as well as arts and sports — and fun games, of course!



► Schedule ►

Classes take place 5 days a week (Monday to Friday) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a two-hour long lunch break from 1 to 3 p.m, during which a free shared snack will be offered to volunteers.

During days off, volunteers are invited to discover traditional Senegalese customs and take part in cultural activities, such as cooking classes with local women, visits to nearby villages and trips to breathtaking nature and wildlife areas.



▼ Onsite Training and Resources ▼

At the beginning of the mission, volunteers will receive training about the difficulties of albinos children, and the first classes will be taught with the help of a member of our association to teach you how to tend to these children's' special needs.

An intern who speaks the local language, Wolof, will also be there to help you during the whole program.


▼ Requirements ▼

The minimal duration of the mission is one month, between October and June. 9 months — a full school year — is the maximal duration.

Previous experience in education or childcare a bonus, but is not required. As long as you are motivated, easily adaptable and have a good heart, you are more than welcome!

There is no age limit — we believe that we all can be teachers since generosity comes in all ages and lifestyles. Couples are welcome as well!



▼ Fees ▼

• Participating in this program is free, as is the accommodation in Bamba's family home.

• If you wish to be served two delicious and copious Senegalese meals per day, these will joyfully be prepared for you by Bamba's family for a contribution of 10 euros per day (300 euros a month) to help them purchase the ingredients. Vegetarian, vegan and/or gluten-free options are available!

• For your daily trips to and from the center, you can either choose to rent a vehicle at your own expense or to use public transportation, which costs 250 CFA (0,40 euros) for an hour-long journey. For a faster ride (less than 15 minutes), you can also take a taxi, which will cost 700 CFA (1 euro).

• The suggested weekend trips and activities are at the volunteer's expense, as is transportation.


So, do you feel the calling to join this adventure which has the potential to bring concrete, impactful change to the lives of many Children Living with Albinism — and to yours?

If so, kindly send us a few words about yourself — who you are, why you felt called to participate in this program, as well as your CV. We're looking forward to co-creating this experience with you!

We will gladly answer any questions you may have!


▬▬▬▬▬



"What you give to others bears fruit for yourself." - Senegalese saying

About the host

National Association Of Albinism In Senegal (18)

Host since

2019

Languages

English, French

Last seen online

more than 6 month ago

The National Association of Albinism in Senegal (ANAS) was created in 1997, with the mission to fight for People Living with Albinism's birthright to dignity and to raise awareness on the unacceptable reality that is still theirs today.

The association's president is Bamba Diop. He is a passionate activist from People Living with Albinism's rights, and is also a senegalese albino himself.

Project dates

Open for offers, contact us


Work to be done

  • gardening
  • construction
  • farming
  • language practice
  • help in the house
  • teaching projects
  • animal care
  • charity work
  • art projects
  • child care / au pair

Expected workhours

  • 5 hours a day
  • 5 days a week

Work exchange deal

  • private room

▲ Accommodation ▲

Free accommodation with a local family is provided for volunteers.

You will be offered a private room in the lovely, humble home of our association's president (Bamba Diop)'s family. Bamba Diop, a passionate activist for People Living with Albinism's rights, and his wife welcome the volunteers in the joyful home where their children, parents, brothers, sisters, nephews, and nieces live together.

You will find that their door is always open to friends from their local community, and perhaps never cease to be amazed by their generosity, hospitality, and kindness.

  • shared meals

• If you wish to be served two delicious and copious Senegalese meals per day, these will joyfully be prepared for you by Bamba's family for a contribution of 10 euros per day (300 euros a month) to help them purchase the ingredients. Vegetarian, vegan and/or gluten-free options are available!

  • no money is involved