Liberia - FAQ

Tell me more about Liberia.
Liberia is a country on the west coast of Africa, bordered on the northwest by Sierra Leone, the north by Guinea, the east by C�te d'Ivoire, and the southwest Atlantic Ocean. It is one of Africa's oldest republics, founded in 1847, shortly after the American Colonization Society established it as a country to send freed African-American slaves.

The Liberian civil war began in December 1989 and ended in 2003. In 2005 Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, former World Bank economist, was elected as Africa's first woman president. Although she has a lot of work to do, the country and the people seem optimistic at finally having a chance to rebuild. The unemployment rate is currently approximately 85%, the second highest in the world, and the per capita income is estimated at $144.00.

The UN Mission in Liberia is one of the UN's largest peacekeeping missions. It has completed its disarmament program though social and economic infrastructure reconstruction is ongoing. Progress is being made in resettling refugees and displaced persons, respecting human rights and creating a stable environment for economic development and fighting corruption.

What is the climate like in Liberia?
Liberia has a tropical climate and two distinct seasons - wet and dry. The wet season generally runs from about May through October and the dry season from November through April. The temperature does not change drastically during this time, staying between 26 and 31 degrees Celsius (80-89 Fahrenheit) during the day and 22 and 25 degrees Celsius (72-77 Fahrenheit) at night. Humidity levels stay high throughout the year, between 75-95% depending on the time of day and season.

What kind of work will we be doing?
There will most likely be a few days of volunteering in a school environment. School programs may include specific classroom activities targeting underdeveloped areas. Activities may include: creative workshops, science workshops (e.g. build-a-bridge competition) language programs etc. Participants will be given forewarning about target areas and informed which supplies are not available in Liberia. Another aspect of the trip will be gathering information. If a future program is viable, it will be necessary to know more about possible project sites. You may be asked to survey members of the community as part of this assessment process.

Where will we be located?
You will be based in Liberia's capital city Monrovia. If weather and road conditions allow, participants will also be able to embark on a short journey into the heart of Liberia's interior, visiting the South Eastern Counties of Grand Gedeh and Sinoe. If road conditions prevent this, a trip to the interior may still be possible, but a shorter distance away in a different county which has better road access. One thing quickly learned in Liberia is that a backup plan is essential!

Tell me more about flying into Liberia?
You should arrange to fly into Roberts International Airport, Liberia, and should aim to arrive on 4th May. The airport code is ROB. From there the participants will be driven to Monrovia, where the orientation will begin on the morning of May 5th.

When do I need to arrive in Liberia?
Please arrive on Sunday, 4th May so that you are ready to begin orientation on the morning of May 5th.

How do I get to the project?
From the airport you will be driven to Monrovia, where the orientation will begin on the morning of May 5th. Daily transport during the 10 days will be mostly as a group, in a vehicle or for shorter distances, on foot.

Tell me more about the accommodation.
While volunteering, volunteers will be accommodated in either a hostel or dormitory situation. Specific arrangements are made closer to departure. For now, you should prepare for amenities to be limited ie bucket showers and western toilets (bucket flush) in Monrovia. Outside of Monrovia, pit toilets are more common. Electricity is available in Monrovia, however it is not 100% reliable and outages occur.

Can vegetarians be catered for?
Vegetarians are fine if they are willing to settle for a limited selection of food. Breakfast is generally tea, eggs, some sort of oatmeal and bread. No problem there. Lunch is the main meal of the day and is served from a revolving menu of rice, potatoes, yams, beans or plantains, accompanied by a sauce on the side (which can often include meat). In the afternoon there is also fruit, such as pineapple, set out. You�ll need to supplement at your own expense if this is not acceptable to you.

Are there holidays or festivals I should be aware of when traveling?
There are many festivals in Liberia, however these are not expected to hinder your trip activities.

What age do you have to be to volunteer?
You must be 20 years or older to volunteer. There is no upper limit for volunteers we only require that volunteers are in good health.

What immunisations/vaccinations will I need?
This is a suggestion of what may be needed - please consult with your medical professional or travel specialist for more details.

• Hepatitis A & B
• Polio
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever
• Diphtheria and tetanus
• Rabies
• Meningococcal (meningitis)
• Malaria (needs to be closely discussed with doctor)
• Tuberculosis

What is the criterion for volunteers to be accepted into the program?
Each applicant is considered by the information they provide on the application. If further information is required applicants will be emailed to request this. Please refer to the program requirements listed on the program page which outlines the minimum expectations of what is required for volunteering in this specific program. We also look further at your application as to skills and experience specifically related to the program you have applied to. We look at volunteer experiences, travel experience and also your particular interest in the program to make our decision.

Do I need to speak English to volunteer?
Yes, you need to speak English to volunteer. You may have English as your first or second language. Kenya's two main languages are English and Swahili. Unless you are hopelessly lost in the bush somewhere, you will probably be able to find someone who speaks English. It is also useful for volunteers to have a working knowledge of Swahili, especially outside the urban areas and in remote parts of the country.

Are there more expenses once I arrive?
The in-country fee covers your accommodation and meals, your transfer to your program, and transport to your worksite if necessary. You will need to have additional money for bottled water, extra food, for days off, departure from the program, airport departure tax, and any personal shopping you may do.

How safe is it to volunteer in Liberia?
Despite the past two decades of civil war, Liberia is in a current position of stability. Peacekeeping forces are still replete throughout the country and their presence in Monorovia is highly visible. The peacekeepers, from across the world, are secondary forces in promoting and ensuring stability throughout the country. The presence of UN and Liberian military forces should be regarded positively and not feared; Liberia is considered safe to the extent the US removed Liberia from the "Advice against travel" government recommendation, and has reinstated the Peace Corps.

As in many countries, foreigners are perceived as wealthy in Kenya. Although the people are generally warm and friendly towards foreigners, as well as appreciative of the work done by volunteers, not every individual is the same. There is a certain amount of petty theft. It is therefore important that you do not leave valuables unattended especially on the beach or in a hotel room. Most hotels and lodges offer safety deposit facilities, into which you should place all valuables and ideally ensure that the valuables bag itself can be locked. If there are no such facilities, then we recommend that you keep everything locked in your suitcase. You should always keep a separate copy of your passport and travellers cheques numbers. Should you have something stolen, then report this to the police as soon as possible and also contact our representatives who will assist you. We work extremely hard to ensure you are placed in safe environments while in Liberia and security policies are in place to achieve this. However, as in any situation at home or abroad, there is no way to erase all potential threats. For additional travel advice you may like to check out AllSafeTravels - a provider of travel safety advice for anyone who travels internationally.

How many participants will there be on this trip?
We expect to have between 10 and 15 participants.

Is there the opportunity to take classes such as language or more cultural activities while on the program?
You should discuss this with staff if you are interested in using spare time to participate in activities outside of the program. They may be able to help arrange something for you before or after the program dates.

Are we able to do any sightseeing?
A Monrovia city tour will be arranged early in the trip by CBW staff. If possible, there will also be a visit to the national park. Tourist infrastructure is basically non-existent so sightseeing is best arranged with help from CBW staff.

What clothing is appropriate for the program?
Considering the temperature and humidity, we recommend light coloured, cotton clothing that covers you conservatively. Comfortable sturdy footwear as well as a pair of sandals/jandals for light walking is recommended. Don't forget sunglasses and a hat.

What resources will be available?
Resources at the schools are limited. You may like to take donations of goods with you to distribute or use in the program. If you do choose to fundraise or donate items, arts and craft materials, pens, copy books, stickers etc. are recommended and will be warmly received. Surveys for information gathering will be provided.

Can you tell me more about your partner in Liberia?
Children Better Way (CBW) is currently located inside Buduburam Refugee Settlement, near Accra, Ghana. In early 2008, CBW will be setting up an additional presence in Monrovia, Liberia. CBW have been operating in Buduburam for 7 years aiding a suffering community of primarily Liberian refugees, focusing their efforts on children through education, HIV/AIDS outreach, water and sanitation initiatives, and more. CBW was conceived in Liberia and has always intended to return home to assist in rebuilding their nation; a process that started in June 2007. CBW and the Buduburam community have benefited greatly from the work of GVN volunteers and believe that a Liberia program could have a similar effect.

Who organizes my visa for my volunteer placement?
You will organize your Visa through your travel agent or independently. Please contact your nearest Liberian embassy or consulate for more information.

Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, insurance is required. The Global Volunteer Network has arranged a comprehensive travel insurance package specially designed for volunteering. It includes excellent medical and accident cover as well as a 'loss of deposits' cover which covers all fees paid to GVN, Airlines etc (up to US$10,000). The cost is US$150.00 for the first month and then US$100.00 per month after that. If you would like to learn more just follow this link: http://www.volunteer.org.nz/insurance/.

How do I pay my fees?
Your application fee secures your place on the program. Your program fee is payable to Global Volunteer Network 8 weeks prior to the 1st of the month you wish to volunteer. Please note that all charges incurred by the payment of the program fee are at the volunteer's expense, e.g. if a bank transfer incurs a bank fee at the point of origin, that is at the expense of the volunteer. The program fee is non refundable, in accordance with GVN's legal terms of service.