from 899€

Outstanding 4.9rating (15)

Microfinance Assistant

location
2 - 32 weeks  ·  Age 16 - 50+

rating  Outstanding 4.9  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Help disadvantaged people become economically independent
  • Work on granting loans to former talibés and disadvantaged women
  • Promote economic independence, social development and dignity in vulnerable people
  • Gain experience and knowledge on economics and financial plans
  • Visit the beautiful country of Senegal in your free time

Especially good for

Age 16+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

Work with women from poor backgrounds or young male adults, who have grown up on the streets, helping them build their own companies and gain their economic independence.

The Microfinance project aims to help disadvantaged young people who have little chance of entering the job market to become economically independent. The project grants loans to former talibés (Senegalese street children) and disadvantaged women. The loans allow the individuals to build their own ...

About the program

The Microfinance project aims to help disadvantaged young people who have little chance of entering the job market to become economically independent. The project grants loans to former talibés (Senegalese street children) and disadvantaged women. The loans allow the individuals to build their own businesses. The project provides not only financial support but also works to assess the needs and unique situations of the beneficiaries. The aim is to promote economic independence, social development and dignity in vulnerable people.

In this programme, volunteers work with local Senegalese staff at the centre in St. Louis. They will accompany beneficiaries on their path to becoming economically independent by training beneficiaries on business management basics, constructing financial plans and giving loans.


Typical day

A typical day will start with waking up and having breakfast at your host-family's house. After that, you will either walk (most host-family's are located on walking distance) or take a taxi to your project location. At 9 in the morning, you meet with your supervisor and other volunteers. Together ...

Typical day

A typical day will start with waking up and having breakfast at your host-family's house. After that, you will either walk (most host-family's are located on walking distance) or take a taxi to your project location. At 9 in the morning, you meet with your supervisor and other volunteers. Together you will continue on your task: where you get to work with the participants of the Microfinance project, and for example work on a financial businessplan together. 

At 12:30 PM,  you get to enjoy a long afternoon break, where you can have a nice West-African lunch, go to the beach, the market or swimming pool, or just relax with your fellow volunteers. From 16:00  untill 18:30 in the evening, your project continues. In the evening, you can have dinner with your host family or for example go to a restaurant with other volunteers, and afterwards enjoy a nice bar or do other fun activities.  Project days are usually monday till friday, so you have the afternoons, evenings and weekends to do sightseeing, relaxing, and exploring Senegal with your fellow volunteers! Off-days outside of the weekends have to be debated with the supervisors, all depending on the length of your stay. But once again: ASF always tries to be as flexible as possible, to meet the wishes of our volunteers!


Free-time activities

In your free time, you can explore Senegal or other neigbouring West-African countries with other volunteers! In Senegal, you can visit the beautiful beaches of Saint-Louis or Cap Skirring, the Loumpoul desert, the Pink Lake, the Seashell Island (Joal-Fadiouth), or Ile de Gorée which has a very ...

Free-time activities

In your free time, you can explore Senegal or other neigbouring West-African countries with other volunteers! In Senegal, you can visit the beautiful beaches of Saint-Louis or Cap Skirring, the Loumpoul desert, the Pink Lake, the Seashell Island (Joal-Fadiouth), or Ile de Gorée which has a very intriguing history of slave-trade. Also, you can visit several wildparks with exotic animals or beautiful bird-parks. Besides, the city of Saint-Louis is a very vibrant and lively city, with lots of art, beautiful architecture and history, and a vibrant nightlife with various clubs, good restaurants and bars.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 16 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 16 years old on the program start date.

Language Skills

You need to speak French (basic level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

Quite good knowledge of Excel, Basic French language at least.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Aider Sans Frontières

Aider Sans Frontières is a non-profit organisation, so all costs go towards your project, operating costs, staff allowances, accommodation and food. Prices include accommodation, food, water, staff support and transfer to and from the airport. The food included in the price entails three meals a day: so breakfast, lunch and dinner. Special food requirements such as vegetarian is often no problem! Pick up from the international airport in Diass (Thiès) to ASF and your host family in Saint-Louis is done by a very friendly and experienced staff member or driver of ASF. Transparency is an important value to ASF so for a breakdown of costs please contact us for further explanation.

Airport Pickup at Blaise Diagne International Airport

Transfer to and from the airport is done by one of our experienced and very friendly staff members or drivers. The drive to and from the international airport in Diass (Thiès) to Saint-Louis, where ASF and your host family are based, takes about 3.5 hours. 

However, this is optional and volunteers can decide to organise it on their own.

Accommodation

Our standard accommodation included in the price of your project is host family accommodation. We will match you with a local family who will look after you and give you three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) included in the price. Special food requirements such as vegetarian is often no problem! Our families are friendly, warm and welcoming and fully checked. ASF only works with host families who we've knows for many years and who get great reviews from former volunteers. Host family accommodation is clean but not luxurious. You have either your own room or you can share one with another volunteer if they are present in Senegal in the same period as you are.

Food & Beverages

Prices include food and water, meaning you get breakfast, lunch and dinner, so three meals a day. Any special food requirements, such as vegetarian meals, is often not a problem but should be indicated in advance.

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) in Dakar. We assist you to find cheap flights to Senegal. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Senegal provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Senegal you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Senegal. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

Flexibility is key! ASF always tries to be as flexible as possible, to meet the wishes of our volunteers!

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 899€
4 weeks 1,302€
8 weeks 2,299€
12 weeks 3,297€
16 weeks 4,291€
32 weeks (max. stay) 8,309€
Average fees 354€/week

Program fees

354€ per week 2 - 32 weeks Age 16 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 32 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Aider Sans Frontières during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Aider Sans Frontières

Outstanding 4.9 rating (15 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2011

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Moctar

Spoken languages: French, English

About the project

Aider Sans Frontières (ASF) is a charity organisation based in Saint-Louis, Senegal, founded in 2011. ASF runs a drop-in care centre in Saint-Louis for street children.

Meet your organization

Aider Sans Frontières is a charity organisation based in Saint-Louis, Senegal. It was founded in 2011. It focuses on humanitarian aid and national and international solidarity. Aider Sans Frontières runs a care centre in Saint-Louis where street children, known as ‘talibés’, are able to drop in and receive medical care, food and a basic education. ASF has also expanded to helping older talibés launch their careers and has started a programme focused on environmental protection. ASF believes that cultural and linguistic exchanges are important for social and economic development. We are proud to have worked in volunteerism since 2011 – we believe that, when done ethically and correctly, volunteers can have a vital impact in developing communities.

The projects of ASF aim to respond to the Talibé problem. Talibé children are street-children who are educated in koranic schools, by Marabouts, koranic teachers. The children live under difficult conditions in ‘schools’ known as ‘Daaras’ and are forced to go out begging. The problem is complex and rooted in the religious and social context of Senegalese society. Aider Sans Frontières responds to this complex problem by offering complementary projects, approaching the problem from different angles. In the city of Saint-Louis, Senegal there are around 15,000 street children, mostly aged from 5 to 13, known as talibés, who have no access to healthcare, food or education. Due to the fact that their births are often not registered, they legally do not have the right to these things either. These children have no contact with their parents and they live in the Quaranic schools known as ‘daaras’ with up to 200 other children in one dirty room meaning that diseases spread really easily. They are required by the religious leaders to beg on the streets and to meet a certain quota each day in order to avoid punishment usually in the form of a beating, but at the moment, with less people out on the streets, this puts the children in huge danger. There are a few, though not nearly enough, charity-run drop-in care centres in Saint-Louis that these children are able to go to daily to be fed, to wash themselves and clean their teeth, to wash their clothes, to receive first aid and to receive a basic education. Aider Sans Frontières owns one such care centre and the work done there is vital to the wellbeing of the children who visit.

ASF has six projects available for volunteers. Care & education; Microfinance; Renovation & construction; Environment & ecology; Language courses (French & Wolof); and Teaching. Hereby I will provide a description of the projects one by one.

Care & education:

In this project you will work in a drop-in care centre for street children, run by knowledgeable locals, and help to care for and educate young children. The Care and Education project addresses the Talibé problem with a social approach. Talibé children (Senegalese street children) often experience precarious conditions and little affection in their daily life. For this reason, the aim of this program is to offer the Talibé children a safe and protected environment in which they can rest and play, learn and also experience appreciation and care. The program combines primary health care with games and creative activities. At the same time it includes educational elements that are taught in a supportive and playful way. In this program, volunteers work together with local Senegalese experts in the drop-in care centre in St. Louis, where Talibé Children are welcome to spend time during the day. The centre also provides the children with a good meal every Thursday.

Microfinance:

In this project volunteers will work with young adults, who have grown up on the streets, helping them to build their own companies and find their feet. The Microfinance project aims to help disadvantaged young people who have little chance of entering the job market to become economically independent. The project grants loans from traditional financial institutions to former talibés (Senegalese street children) and occasionally disadvantaged women. The loans allow the individuals to build their own businesses. The project provides not only financial support but also works to assess the needs and unique situations of the beneficiaries. The aim is to promote economic independence, social development and dignity in vulnerable people. In this programme, volunteers work with the local Senegalese experts in the centre in St. Louis, accompanying beneficiaries on their path to becoming economically independent by organising loans and constructing financial plans.

Renovation and construction:

With this project, volunteers can make a lasting difference by renovating schools or building shelters for street children. The renovation and construction project aims to provide Talibés (and possibly other disadvantaged groups) with a better environment for educational and social development. The volunteers and the local staff will help paint, renovate and refurbish daaras (shelters for Senegalese street children) or build schools for the disadvantaged children and communities. An important aim is to create dignified accommodation in which the Talibé children (Senegalese street children) can find significantly improved living conditions.

Environment and ecology:

This project helps sustain the environment and nature in Senegal. Senegal is a country full of wildlife and national parks – help protect them in this ever-important project and play your part in saving our planet. Help our team to work on ASF’s garden. Our next environment project will involve the protection of the beaches in Saint-Louis!

Language course:

With this project, volunteers can learn French or Wolof in our intensive 1 on 1 language courses.

Teaching:
With this project, volunteers can teach English, French and Mathematics in schools, kindergartens and care centres to disadvantaged children.

15 reviews · rating4.9

Damian Kübler rating5

2024 at Microfinance Assistant

My almost three months with the Aider Sans Frontières microfinance project in Saint-Louis were definitely one of the most exciting and special times of my life. Just getting to know the Senegalese hospitality and positivity makes volunteering in Senegal worthwhile. What's more, I was able to meet ...
Kaleb Wever rating5

2024 at Microfinance Assistant

I had the opportunity to intern with Aider Sans Frontières earlier this year for just over two months, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. I not only gained insights into the local market and the economic successes and challenges faced by people in Saint Louis, but I also ...
Van Nguyen rating4.6

2023 at Microfinance Assistant

I did the microfinance program for two weeks and part of the program fee goes directly to providing one loan. I had the opportunity to help one beneficiary start her business (business strategy, visiting the market to inquire about suppliers, basic math/accounting courses) which was very rewarding. ..
Kate Chipman rating5

2020 at Microfinance Assistant

I had the most incredible time volunteering with ASF in St Louis, Senegal, at the care centre placement. Being only 16 at the time, and all the way from Australia, it is safe to say that many of my friends and family were apprehensive about me travelling solo (and so far away). However, from the ...
Abigail Hughes rating5

2019 at Microfinance Assistant

My volunteer placement with ASF in Sénégal was an experience that I’ll never forget and will impact me for the rest of my life. I made so many friends and met so many lovely people and truly immersed myself in the Senegalese culture which is so vibrant and friendly! I felt like I truly made a ...
Cori Green rating4.8

2018 at Microfinance Assistant

I had an absolutely wonderful time volunteering in both Madagascar and Senegal. I felt like I was truly making a difference with the volunteer work I did and I really enjoyed working hand in hand with the projects abroad employees. In free time, I had a wonderful time and made great friends. It was ...

Location

Africa > Western Africa > Senegal > Saint-Louis

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