Volunteer Work Western Sahara

Free and paid volunteer work opportunities in Western Sahara with details and listings of volunteer work programs and projects in Western Sahara. The Western Sahara isn't technically a country, rather a territory and a disputed one at that. However here at the African Volunteer Network we don't get involved politically; the Western Sahara is a recognised term for a defined area and we'll go with that. We won't go into too much detail about the history and the causes of the tensions in the Western Sahara save to state that, as is so often the case, they are a legacy of the end of colonial rule in Africa with both Morocco and Mauritania eyeing up the territory that they saw as naturally theirs whilst neighbouring Algeria took the line that the indigenous and nomadic Saharawis people of the Western Sahara had the right to self determination, a view the International Court of Justice upheld in 1975.

It is in these Sahrawi refugee camps that most volunteer work in the Western Sahara takes place as, while remarkably self-sufficient, they still depend heavily on international aid. Gaps in essential services like education, healthcare, and sustainable development persist. Volunteers fill crucial roles, complementing the efforts of international organisations and local Sahrawi initiatives, directly improving living conditions and opportunities for thousands. Unlike large-scale development projects, where individual contributions can feel diluted, volunteer work in the camps often means witnessing the immediate and clear results of your efforts. Teaching a child English, assisting in a clinic, or helping to implement a small-scale solar project provides direct feedback on your contribution.

Below we provide listings for our current volunteer work projects and programs in the Western Sahara. If you run or know of others, please let us know by contacting us here. We look forward to hearing from you!

Volunteer Work

UWC Refugees

Teaching English in refugee camps in South Western Algeria near the border with Mauritania.
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Sandblast

Dedicated to building awareness and solidarity for the indigenous Saharawis of Western Sahara.
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Sponsor a Child

Details of how to sponsor a child with child sponsor programs in the Western Sahara.
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Territory Profile

For information, videos and photos of the west African territory of Western Sahara, check out our profile pages.
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Volunteer Work Programs in the Western Sahara

Types of Volunteer Work in the Western Sahara

Volunteer opportunities in the Sahrawi refugee camps are remarkably diverse, catering to a wide range of skills, professions, and interests. The needs are constant and cover various sectors crucial for the well-being and development of the community.

Education: Education is highly valued in Sahrawi society, and the camps boast a robust, albeit under-resourced, educational system. Opportunities abound for teaching English, Spanish (which is widely spoken due to historical ties), French, or other subjects at primary, secondary, and adult learning centres. Volunteers can assist local teachers, develop curricula, or offer specialised workshops. Other volunteer work exists in non-formal education which can include organising sports activities, art workshops, music classes, or vocational training for youth and adults. Educational support is also valued by assisting with the creation of learning materials, developing digital literacy programs, or helping with library organisation.

Healthcare: While the Sahrawi Red Crescent and international NGOs provide essential medical services, there's always a need for additional support. Doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other healthcare practitioners can volunteer in clinics and hospitals, assisting with general practice, specialised care, and emergency response while non-medical volunteers can contribute to hygiene education, nutrition programs, mental health support, or awareness campaigns for preventable diseases as well as assisting with medical supply management, data entry, and improving clinic organisation.

Infrastructure & Sustainable Development: Given the harsh desert environment, projects focused on sustainability and improving basic infrastructure are vital such as working on water purification projects, well maintenance, or developing efficient irrigation systems for small-scale agricultural initiatives. There are also volunteer work opportunities in assisting with the installation, maintenance, or education around solar panels and other sustainable energy sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and helping to build or repair community structures like schools, clinics, or women's centres. Other opportunities include supporting efforts to grow food in the desert, which might involve permaculture techniques, greenhouse management, or animal husbandry.

Social & Cultural Programs: These volunteer programs are crucial for maintaining community cohesion, empowering vulnerable groups, and preserving Sahrawi culture. THis can include organising recreational activities, leadership workshops, or skills training for young people. Supporting initiatives run by Sahrawi women, such as handicraft cooperatives, small business development, literacy programs, or health education tailored for women. Facilitating programs that share Sahrawi culture with the outside world and introduce new perspectives to the camps and assisting local media outlets with content creation, journalism training, or digital outreach to tell the Sahrawi story.

Logistics & Administration: Assisting local and international non-governmental organisations with data management, report writing, translation (Arabic/Spanish/English), and general office duties and helping to establish or maintain computer systems, network infrastructure, and digital communication tools.