Liberia
They say good things come in small packages, and Liberia is no exception. This tiny coastal country is home to a resilient and welcoming population. Liberia is rich in arts and culture, especially masks, dance, and storytelling, and traditional culture is still very strong today. Most of Liberia is covered by lush rainforest, and on the beaches near Monrovia, rich red earth slopes down to meet the sea.
Location in Sierra Leone:
Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. It is a coastal city that is home to a large number of migrants. Most of our activities take place on the outskirts, in an area called Mount Barclay.
Accommodation:
Guesthouse or host family, at least two meals per day
Duration & Price:
Minimum of two weeks starting at 800 USD. See Liberia fees.
Our partners in Liberia serve the poorest and most vulnerable people in Monrovia. They are continually striving to improve their work, and look to volunteers and interns to help make that happen. Community Development refers to activities that help build capacity and create the building blocks for lasting change. It encompasses a wide variety of tasks.
Positions Available for this Project
Community Development InternBuild capacity on behalf of orphans, internally displaced persons, marginalized women. The children and youth being helped are among the most impoverished in all of Monrovia. In this position, you will assist in an administrative manner, and learn key skills relevant to capacity building and community development from a local perspective. There is a wide variety of tasks to be completed, which will depend on local need, as well as your skills and background.
Duration:
2 months +
When:
Year round
Language:
English
Who:
Everyone. Grant writing, marketing, and public relations experience are considered assets.
Description of Activities:
- Write grant proposals
- Create or add to written materials (for marketing purposes)
- Assist local staff in implementing extra-curricular activities
- Prepare reports
- Research and develop partnerships with national and international agencies
To Apply:
-
Complete online application
Healthcare is very limited in Liberia. The clinic in Monrovia serves the most vulnerable by providing low-cost healthcare to those who would otherwise not get medical attention.
The clinic most often deals with cases of HIV/AIDS, other STIs, Tuberculosis, malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, malaria, and gastro-intestinal parasites.
In addition to treating patients in a clinical setting, there is a need to provide more basic health education.
Positions Available for this Project
Healthcare Assistant for War SurvivorsIndividuals are needed to assist local healthcare workers in caring for patients. The nature of activities will depend largely on an individual's background. Qualified healthcare professionals will treat patients, and share expertise with local staff. Students will assist local staff in caring for patients. The clinic is very basic with a limited amount of resources (equipment, medications).
Duration:
2 weeks +
When:
Year round
Language:
English
Who:
Healthcare professionals, or students interested in learning about international health
Description of Activities:
- Learn about the dimensions of health and how they affect healthcare in Liberia
- Provide moral support for patients
- Assist local staff in dispensing medications
- Treat patients (of volunteer is a qualified medical professional)
To Apply:
- Complete online application
Public Health Educator
Awareness of HIV & AIDS, STIs, and hygiene needs to improve drastically. As such, volunteers are also needed to develop and/or deliver health education in schools, in seminaries, and to the general public. Health education resources, which can be used by local staff and future volunteers, need to be developed. More specifically, materials to teach about HIV/AIDS, other STIs, and basic hygiene and sanitation need to be created. In addition, you will be teaching basic health education to impoverished women and children.
Duration:
2 months +
When:
Year round
Language:
English
Who:
Everyone
Description of Activities:
- Learn about the dimensions of health and how they affect healthcare in Liberia
- Develop public health education materials in partnership with local staff
- Deliver health education to women and children
To Apply:
- Complete online application
Liberia is an incredibly poor country. Out of desperation, many women turn to prostitution to provide for themselves or to put a meal on the family dinner table. Unfortunately for many, it is seen as the only option when poverty is so damaging. Our partners run a Women's Empowerment Program based out of Mount Barclay School. Currently, over 600 women are taking part.
Women are provided with a safe space and counselling, and the cornerstone of the WEP is alternative skills training. Women learn skills such as sewing, cooking, hairdressing, candle-making, and other trades. When funds and donations allow, upon graduation they are given the materials needed to start a new business, such as a sewing machine or hairdressing supplies.
Positions Available for this Project
From Sex Trade to Entrepreneurship-Women's Centre AssistantA participant is needed to work with groups of women as they progress through their alternative skills program. Many of the women did not go to school. So, for example, some need to learn basic math before they can take measurements for sewing. Therefore, in addition to teaching trades, volunteers will teach basic math, reading and writing skills to women.
Duration:
2 weeks +
When:
Year round
Language:
English
Who:
Everyone
Description of Activities:
- Learn about the social and economic factors affecting women’s rights in Liberia
- Act as a mentor for women
- Assist in skills training
- Assist in activities related to operating the centre
- Actively listen to women and provide moral support
- Teach basic math, reading, and writing skills
To Apply:
-
Complete online application
In Liberia, the schools are overflowing, and volunteers are needed to help increase the school’s capacity to teach and care for children. For example, one kindergarten class has 75 students and just two teachers. As you can imagine, the school day can get chaotic!
After fourteen years of war, thousands of children are eager to learn, and our partner is providing an education. It is a feat with many challenges. The area in which we work is poverty stricken. Furthermore, children and their families suffer from the after-effects of war; many are now amputees, and everyone carries memories of the past as they try to move forward. Liberia is now peaceful, and as communities rebuild, we are seeking compassionate individuals to help build a brighter future for Liberia's children.
This is a phenomenal placement in so many ways. It is an excellent opportunity for anyone wishing to learn about post-conflict community development. Social work and psychology students and professionals will be challenged to adapt their skills to a cross-cultural environment. No matter what your background or experience, in even just a short amount of time, you will see how much your involvement helps local children.
Our partner is the Mount Barclay Christian School, which has approximately 900 children in attendance. Children are divided according to knowledge level, rather than age. This contrasts what most of us are used to, but reflects local needs.
We work primarily in Mount Barclay, but also help out with a number of other schools in and around Monrovia. While in Liberia, your Exchange Manager may arrange for you to spend some time helpingin other schools.
Positions Available for this Project
Teach Amputee & War Affected ChildrenVolunteers are needed to teach various elementary level subjects including English, math, science, physical activity, and art. Classrooms have thirty or more children.
Duration:
2 weeks +
When:
Mid-January to Mid-June (may be long break for Easter, varies by year)
July
Mid-September to Mid December
Language:
English
Who:
Everyone with basic experience working with children or teaching. Patience is an absolute must.
Description of Activities:
- Learn about the social and economic factors affecting education in Liberia
- Teach English, math, science, physical activity, and/or art
- Assist children with homework
- Assist in running extra-curricular activities for children
To Apply:
-
Complete online application
Teacher Trainer
Interns with an educational background are needed to share knowledge and pedagogical resources with local teachers. The purpose of this position is to increase the capacity of the school in the long term. In Liberia, the schools are overflowing, and volunteers are needed to help increase the school’s capacity to share best practices with local staff.
Please note: This position is classified as an internship due to the background and skills that the intern must have. But unlike other internships, we do not require a minimum of two months. In a short amount of time, qualified professionals can deliver training and workshops to local teachers. Training takes place after school, on weekends, and during school holidays.
Duration:
2 weeks +
When:
Year round
Language:
English
Who:
Teachers who are willing and able to share their expertise
Description of Activities:
- Learn about the social and economic factors affecting education in Liberia
- Learn how teachers conduct their work in Liberia
- Share best practices based on your experience
- Share pedagogical knowledge based on your experience
- Develop educational materials in partnership with local staff
To Apply:
-
Complete online application
The Need
In Liberia, you will be working in Monrovia, a city of one million people. Though scars of the past are still visible, considerable progress has been made in rebuilding since peace returned to Liberia in 2004. Monrovia is located on a peninsula between the West African coastline and the Mesurado River. Poverty persists, and efforts are being made to improve transportation, sanitation, and living standards in general. In Monrovia, you can complete a medical, human services & childcare, education, or community development placement.
While Liberia has successfully transitioned from civil war into a peaceful existence, it still bears many scars from its past. The United Nations Human Development Index, an indicator of wellbeing in countries around the world, ranked Liberia among one of the least developed countries in the world. This is an indication of widespread poverty. Over 45% of adults cannot read, and nearly 30% of Liberians do not have access to clean water.
With The Humanity Exchange you can directly affect development in Liberia. As a result of the civil war, there exists a huge amount of people that did not have a chance to go to school. This is exemplified by the aforementioned literacy rate. Now more than ever, youth are packing into classrooms to soak up all of the knowledge they possibly can.
Furthermore, substantial efforts are underway to improve women's rights in Liberia. The lack of economic opportunities has disproportionately affected women. There is a tremendous need to enable women to provide for themselves.
In Liberia, our partners focus on providing an education for children, improving the quality of life for youth, and improving women's rights.
History
American abolitionists of the 1800's chose Liberia as an ideal place to repatriate feed slaves to Africa. Ex-slaves arrived on Providence Island, located in present day Monrovia, in 1822. They soon colonized the area. Monrovia became developed as the rest of the country was set up to serve its interests. During the presidency of William Tubman, life began to improve, and Liberia experienced Sub-Saharan Africa's highest growth rate for decades. Unfortunately, significant disparity increased between descendants of ex-slaves and indigenous people. Despite attempts to improve the livelihoods of Liberians, Liberia fell into civil war. In 2004, Liberia regained peace. With a renewed sense of hope, it is easy to see how hard Liberians are working for the wellbeing of their country. They have made significant strides forward. Notably, by 2006, Liberians had elected the first female president in Africa.
Things to See & Do
-
Waterside Market
-
Silver Beach
-
Sapo National Park
Program Fees for Liberia
All fees are in USD.
|
Volunteer |
Intern |
2 weeks |
800 |
900 |
1 month |
1000 |
1100 |
2 months |
1400 |
1500 |
3 months |
1750 |
1850 |
4 months |
2100 |
2200 |
4 months |
2450 |
2550 |
4 months |
2800 |
2900 |
See program fees for all countries, and what they do and do not include.
