Do you want to spend a gap year in Africa and give back? Plan a trip to Ethiopia to experience the warmth of the local people, see some of the best tourism attractions on the continent and help really worthwhile causes.
Volunteer in Ethiopia
One of the most frightfully impoverished countries in Africa, Ethiopia was ravaged by a harrowing famine a few decades ago. Today, much of the country remains extremely poor.
One of the most popular ways to visit Ethiopia is through volunteering and there are lots of projects available to join all year round.
You could:
- Help build the educational infrastructure and learning opportunities for particularly disadvantaged groups and individuals
- Alleviate poverty by providing better housing and opportunities through self/employment and income generating projects, and improving sanitation for some of the community affected and disabled by leprosy.
- Build and furnished schools and libraries
- Provide financial help for the construction of homes and income generating activities such as the smoke-free stove making workshop
- Fund scholarships for very poor and disadvantaged young men and women.
- Work alongside local teachers in schools helping children improve their learning.
Spending a gap year volunteering in Ethiopia can be a really life changing experience, although this country is more rustic and underdeveloped compared to other destinations in the region like Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa so you need to be prepared for what to expect.
“I will never forget the time is spent in Ethiopia. I met the nicest people from all over the world, got the know a different and intriguing culture and did work which helped the local people. I would recommend Ethiopia to everyone who wants to spend a useful time in one of the most beautiful places in the world. It was, at least for me, a life changing experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. Just grab the opportunity and participate. You will not regret it.” – Incs Boukhalfa, Belgium
Teach in Ethiopia
Why not give something back and enrol yourself in a year-long teaching placement? You can live in a teacher’s compound next to a rural school, and receive a monthly living allowance of around £160 a month from the government to purchase food. The crux will be a 30-hour working week teaching English, business-skills, maths, science, and IT. And the good news is the only requirement is you have a degree!
Tours
Due to ongoing security issues the best and safest way to visit Ethiopia is on an organised trip.
There are trips which visit the top destinations in the country like Simien Mountains National Park, Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Danakil Depression, Omo Valley and the Bale Mountains National Park.
You can also book overland adventure trips in Africa which include Ethiopia in itineraries.