Are looking for a challenging opportunity away from the crowds and off the beaten African tourist trail? Want to experience the heart of Africa and understand both the daily challenges and strengths of the local people? Apply to volunteer in Cameroon.
We consider this destination ideal if you are open to living and working in a developing country, and if you are able to work independently with little support once introduced to an opportunity.
Programs
Some projects were established to encourage local people to find ways of solving their problems using the resources they already have. The project also aims to provide positive encouragement, advice and funding to small start ups from women’s groups to micro-businesses. New schools are currently under construction and some classes have already started running with some tables and benches donated by previous volunteers. There are also wildlife and conservation projects, some are incredible where you can help apes.
Where are projects based?
Some project’s headquarters are in the East of Cameroon in Kumbo approximately 6 hours from Douala, one of the two largest cities in Cameroon. This may be the heart of Africa but the scenery here is hilly and green with regular showers and warm days so you should not over heat here!
What’s it like to be a volunteer in Cameroon?
Volunteers are invited to help in the community with the various community groups, rural clinics or teach in the new school. No special educational background or work experience is required to work successfully in Cameroon.
Volunteer teachers take their own class or small group of students using the local textbook provided. You may wish to bring some additional Maths/English workbooks for the 10 – 15 age group to provide supplementary work should you run out of ideas. Mostly the teaching is fairly informal and local staff just want you to help create a positive learning environment.
Volunteers who would like to work in the community will be introduced by their coordinator to available opportunities in Kumbo and the surrounding villages.
Volunteering in Cameroon FAQ
Here’s everything you need to know about volunteering in Cameroon, including how to get there and visa advice.
Do I need experience?
Few volunteers heading to Cameroon have any volunteering experience. We recommend committing to 4 weeks if at all possible to get the most out of the experience of this unique experience in an undeveloped corner of Africa far away from the tourist trail where outsiders are still welcomed as a novelty.
When do I choose what I will be doing?
On arrival in Cameroon volunteers are provided with an orientation. Your coordinator will advise on all the volunteering projects available. Most new volunteers spend the first day with another volunteer to settle in before planning what area of work interests you. Most volunteers without a preference assist in the IT class, showing young people how to use a computer for the first time and teaching informal English, although there is usually a building project or clinic to get involved with too. Most volunteers will try out a few different things over the course of their visit.
What language is spoken?
Following World War One, Cameroon became a colony of both Britain and France which has left the country divided into two distinct language regions, the West speak English and this is where volunteers stay, live and volunteer. The East is French speaking. If you want to practise your French, head to the beach resort of Kribi to the south of the country at the end of your stay.
Do you offer medical placements in Cameroon?
Volunteers can get involved with the women’s healthcare centre and their maternity clinics although dates are irregular depending on when the local midwives are available. We therefore recommend at least a month’s visit to ensure enough time to make enough visits to be worthwhile.
Will I be met on arrival?
All volunteers on structured programs are met on arrival at the airport in Douala. Most flights arrive too late for a same day transfer to Kumbo so a hotel in Douala will be organised for you. There are a couple of options of hotel rooms depending on the level of comfort you would like for your first night in Africa. The next day you will transfer to Kumbo if your project is located here, the bus leaves at 10am and the journey takes about 6 hours depending on conditions, but what an adventure after a good night’s sleep!
What do I need to take?
A full kit list is provided after booking in the Welcome Pack. As a general guide, it can be warm during the day and chilly at night so bring a fleece/jumper/hoodie for evenings together with walking boots or strong shoes as the roads can be rough and muddy. The town is pretty quiet so you may want to get off onto the trails exploring even if you are not a walker at home. You may want to bring a smarter outfit for ‘official engagements’. There are often volunteer meetings with local dignitaries to discuss project work and presentations to children around exam time. An anorak and umbrella will also come in useful for when it rains. For building/repair work bring strong work gloves, sturdy footwear and clothes to get dirty. For clinic work; examination gloves, hair net, mouth cover, plastic aprons, smart casual clothes with a clean white blouse/shirt and sandals/shoes. If you can get hold of extra donated items from your local hospital to share out with the local midwives and clinic staff all will be fantastically appreciated and put to good use.
Where will I be staying?
All volunteers are grouped together in a shared volunteer apartment or at busier times when the apartment is full, volunteers are placed with local families.
Is Cameroon safe?
The region of Kumbo where volunteers are based is perfectly safe. This is a sleepy rural region and visitors are warmly welcomed, perhaps due in part to the novelty factor in this little-visited corner of the country.
Do I need a visa for Cameroon?
UK/European passport holders require a visa in advance for Cameroon. Detailed notes on how to obtain your Cameroon visa are in the Welcome Pack provider by your sending agency and should be following immediately after booking. Some organisations have an arrangement with the Cameroon Embassy in London to ensure a smooth application process for UK based volunteers so please read the information first before contacting the Embassy in London. For volunteers not based in the UK, organisations cannot guarantee that visa applications made through other Embassies will be straightforward so we would strongly encourage you to contact the nearest Cameroon embassy first for advice on what their requirements are and possible timeframes before buying flights. Organisations can provide letters of introduction from the project in Cameroon where required for all volunteers but we cannot guarantee that the letters accepted by Embassy in London will be acceptable in other countries. If you are outside of the UK you may also be expected to make one or two visits to your nearest Cameroon Embassy before a visa can be approved. You are strongly advised to check before buying flights.
Are there fixed arrival dates?
Yes. Please arrange flights to arrive on the 15th of the month. It is a whole day’s travel to Douala to collect volunteers so the less trips in a month the better so everyone can get to know one another more easily and focus on the month’s work ahead
Will I be placed with friends?
All volunteers arriving with friends are placed together in the same volunteer accommodation unless your group of friends is too big to squeeze in to the apartment!
Will I need any jabs?
This is Africa, so yes you will need to get quite a few jabs and probably some boosters to protect yourself. You should consult a travel health nurse at least 6 weeks before travel, although some independent travel health clinics (most large towns have one or two) can provide last minute jabs and boosters. Please remember that malaria tablets must be started before travel, not as you arrive and will need to be taken after you have left Cameroon too to ensure protection. Check with a good pharmacist (larger Boots chemists in the UK can advise).
What do I need to pack?
Once you have applied and registered, you will receive an Information Pack via email that will have further details on your trip to Cameroon; in this email there will be a list of items to take. In the meantime, you will need to bring a mosquito net, DEET mosquito repellent, layered clothing for warm days and cool nights including anorak and umbrella, strong walking shoes or sturdy trainers suitable for muddy footpaths and wet grass out of town footpaths. For health volunteers, bring a white apron or lab coat, a roll of disposable aprons, exam gloves and other medical resources you can bring from home which you think will be useful for a clinic without any resources.
How can I keep in touch with home?
Internet is available.
How will I get back to the airport?
Your coordinator will help you organise the return transfer for you back to Douala. Some volunteers like to leave a couple of days earlier than their flight to spend some time at the beach (popular resorts: Limbe, English speaking and Kribi, French speaking) and it is possible current volunteers will join you for a relaxing weekend and to see you off on your way.
“I felt like I was thousands of miles away from civilisation and I loved every minute – my month there went too fast!” – Jon, UK