Where: The Gambia, West Africa

When:  approx 2nd - 22nd April 2012

Team size: 10 volunteers

Cost: from £770, most students will be eligible for a discount from the University. Visit the pricing information page for further details and see summary below:

Fundraising target: £100 per volunteer, this money will be used to buy materials to build the irrogation system

Application forms available: recruitment now closed

Application deadline: recruitment now closed

Selection event: recruitment now closed

Find out more: Volunteers will live within the small rural community of Kartung, working on community capacity building projects. 

Volunteers will spend three weeks in the rural community of Kartung where they will work with a local women's group (kafo) that is in the process of establishing a communal garden. The work is a continuation of last year's visit by Leeds Met volunteers. Activities may include workshops on business planning and gardening practices, the facilitation of visits to related projects in other parts of the country as well as raising funds for an irrigation system. The volunteer work depends on close collaboration with members of the community. Therefore, volunteers will be accommodated in small groups within traditional family 'compounds'. There will be plenty of opportunity for the team to experience local culture, wildlife and see the 'real' Gambia. 

Adventurousness rating:  4 out of 5! This project is adventurous in terms of culture shock as volunteers will be living with families in rural Gambia. The Gambian way of life is very different to the UK but your hosts will make sure you are well looked after. English is the official language of The Gambia but not everybody speaks the language so you have to get creative (e.g. dance!) or pick up basic Mandinka. Chances are volunteers will experience some kind of stomach upset but don't let this put you off!!