Volunteer Work Burkina Faso

Free and paid volunteer work opportunities in Burkina Faso with details and listings of volunteer work programs and projects in Burkina Faso, a country ranked in 186th place out of 193 countries and territories in 2025 in terms of life expectancy, literacy, access to knowledge and the living standards of a nation, making it amongst one of the most deprived in countries in the world.

The landlocked nation in West Africa faces faces significant developmental challenges, including poverty, limited access to education and healthcare, and, more recently, complex security issues. These challenges, while daunting, underscore the critical need for international support and offer profound opportunities for individuals seeking to make a tangible difference through volunteer work.

As such, you might expect there to be many volunteer work placements and opportunities in Burkina Faso. In fact, there are very few ~ the country simply has no working infrastructure and those in charge are poorly educated. What volunteer work there is focuses on education and orphans as well as health awareness in an attempt to stop the population being further decimated by the AIDS virus.

Please note the country has experienced significant political instability of late, including two coups in 2022, and a worsening security situation due to frequent attacks by armed groups and terrorist organisations however, the volunteer work projects and progams that do exist are detailed below.

Volunteer Burkina Faso

Transform Burkina

Transform Burkina works to eradicate poverty in Burkina Faso through education, health and water provision.
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Red Cross

The Red Cross in Burkina Faso works to prevent and resolve humanitarian crises in the country.
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Help Burkina

A range of volunteer work projects in health, resource environment management and education.
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MSF

Médecins Sans Frontières run health clinics and also work with refugees from neighbouring Mali.
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World Friends Africa

Volunteer work empowering women and their childrenby providing education and training.
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Children's Lives

About daily life for a child in Burkina Faso in facts & information with details of support projects.
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Sponsor a Child

Another way to help is to sponsor a child in Burkina Faso with these child sponsor programs.
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Burkina Profile

Explore all about the west African country of Burkina Faso in pictures, videos and images.
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Types of Volunteer Work in Burkina Faso

Volunteer work opportunities in Burkina Faso are limited but nevertheless diverse, catering to a wide range of skills, interests, and durations. The most common areas reflect the country's developmental priorities:

Education and Literacy: This is a critical sector. Many volunteers assist in schools, teaching English, French, mathematics, or computer skills. Opportunities also exist in adult literacy programs, vocational training centres, and supporting educational initiatives for street children or those displaced by conflict. Volunteers might help develop curricula, assist teachers, or organise extracurricular activities.

Healthcare and Public Health: Medical professionals (doctors, nurses, public health specialists) are highly sought after to assist in clinics, hospitals, and rural health centres. Non-medical volunteers can support public health campaigns focusing on hygiene, sanitation, malaria prevention, HIV/AIDS awareness, maternal and child health, or nutrition education. These roles are vital in a country with limited health infrastructure and high health burdens.

Community Development: This broad category encompasses a variety of projects aimed at improving community living standards.

Agriculture and Food Security: Assisting with sustainable farming techniques, permaculture, irrigation projects, animal husbandry, and food processing to enhance food security and combat malnutrition.

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): Working on projects related to well digging, boreholes, water purification, constructing latrines, and promoting hygiene practices.

Infrastructure Development: Though often requiring specialised skills, some organisations need assistance with building schools, clinics, or community centres, or help with maintenance and repairs.

Microfinance and Livelihoods: Supporting initiatives that provide small loans or business training to women and youth, fostering economic empowerment and entrepreneurship.

Environmental Conservation: Burkina Faso faces severe environmental challenges, including desertification and deforestation. Volunteers can engage in tree-planting initiatives, sustainable land management projects, environmental education, or working with local communities to develop climate-resilient agricultural practices.

Women's Empowerment: Programs focused on gender equality are crucial. Volunteers can work with women's cooperatives, support initiatives combating gender-based violence, advocate for girls' education, or assist with projects promoting women's economic independence.

Human Rights and Peacebuilding: Given the evolving security landscape, some organisations focus on peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and human rights advocacy, particularly for displaced populations. These roles often require specialised backgrounds and a high degree of cultural sensitivity.