Thinking of volunteering?
Who can volunteer? The Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer program is open to US citizens and permanent residents with professional experience in a wide variety of agricultural disciplines. If you’re an expert in agricultural production, post-harvest handling, marketing, cooperative development, financial management, food processing or any other agricultural area, we’d like to hear from you. There is no age limit for volunteers; however, assignments are physically demanding. The weather in Senegal can be very hot, with daytime temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. Volunteers must be able to stand for long periods of time and walk 2-4 miles per day over rough terrain.
What volunteer opportunities are available? You can see a list of available volunteer opportunities here.
How much does it cost to participate? NCBA's CLUSA International program pays all assignment-related expenses, including airfare, lodging and meals.
How long is a volunteer assignment? In general, volunteer assignments are 2-3 weeks long, including travel time.
How do I apply? Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and specify the assignment you want to be considered for. We will then share your resume with the assignment’s host organization and decide whether to invite you to do the volunteer assignment. If you’d like to participate in FTF, but don’t see a project on our available assignments list that’s a good fit for you, then please feel free to send in your resume anyway. We’ll keep it in our files and will be in touch when an assignment that matches your skills and experience becomes available.
Before your assignment
What travel documents do I need? Volunteers traveling to Senegal can enter the country without a visa as long as they have a US Passport that is valid for at least six months past their planned date of departure from Senegal.
What immunizations do I need? Volunteers traveling to Senegal will need an International Certificate of Vaccination showing that they’ve been vaccinated against yellow fever. The U.S. State Department also recommends that travelers to Senegal be vaccinated against meningitis. NCBA/CLUSA will reimburse volunteers for yellow fever vaccinations and malaria medications not covered by their insurance.
How will I get to Senegal? CLUSA purchases economy class tickets for all volunteers from the airport of their choice to the country of their assignment. While CLUSA makes every effort to accommodate volunteer preferences, we cannot always meet requests for specific flights, seats or other arrangements. CLUSA does not purchase upgradeable tickets, tickets for any class other than economy or tickets for anyone who is not a volunteer.
Where will I stay? Volunteers stay in accommodations arranged by our field staff and host organizations. The accommodations are usually a rented guest room or the volunteer may stay with a host family that will offer the same conveniences that the local people use. Accommodations will not be luxurious, but they will be safe and comfortable.
How will I get around? Our local Program Coordinators will arrange transportation within Senegal and will accompany you on your assignment.
How will my expenses be paid? CLUSA will pay for lodging in almost all cases. Volunteers will pay for meals and other per-diem expenses while on assignment, and CLUSA will reimburse these expenses after the assignment is over. To be reimbursed, the volunteer must complete and submit an expense report and provide receipts. Because it's not always possible to get a receipt in Africa, CLUSA will reimburse expenses of up to $25 without a receipt. Volunteers are welcome to stay in Senegal longer than required by their projects, but are responsible for paying their own expenses before their projects begin and after they end.
Rate of reimbursement schedule
Can I bring a companion? CLUSA does not allow non-volunteers to accompany volunteers during their assignments. Volunteers are welcome to meet with companions before or after assignments.
Is this safe? CLUSA is dedicated to providing volunteers with a safe, productive and enjoyable experience overseas. Our field offices have emergency action plans in case of an emergency. In addition, CLUSA provides volunteers with medical and medical evacuation insurance. In the event of an emergency, our program coordinators will help you leave the country.
Will there be a translator? Yes. CLUSA program coordinators will translate for volunteers while they are in the field.
