Adama Jarju’s Horticultural Garden
The volunteer program in a small village near Brikama, in The Gambia’s West Coast Region, offers an immersive opportunity to experience rural life while contributing to community development, sustainability, and cultural exchange. Volunteers engage directly with daily village life, gaining insight into local traditions, values, and ways of living rooted in cooperation and self-sufficiency.
As a volunteer, you will live and work closely with a local host, her family, and the wider village community. Your activities may include supporting subsistence farming, working in a permaculture garden, and participating in community initiatives and social projects focused on women, youth, and children. Through hands-on involvement, you will contribute meaningfully to everyday village life while developing new skills and building mutual understanding based on respect and shared learning.
Role
Community Assistant
Partner Organisation
Adama Jarju's Horticultural Garden
Location
Sifoe, Brikama area, West Coast Region, The Gambia
Schedule
Mon–Fri, 08:00–16:00; typical volunteer shift 3–5 hours/day
Type of Travel
Study Visit / Voluntary Work / Group Expedition
Availability
Open year-round
Dates
Flexible start and end dates
Duration
Minimum 1 weeks; maximum duration is not limited.
About Adama Jarju's Horticultural Garden and Farm Stay
Adama Jarju’s Horticultural Garden and Farm Stay offers a hands-on volunteer experience that combines sustainable agriculture, cultural exchange, education, and youth development. The program is designed to create meaningful community impact while providing volunteers with practical skills and deep cultural immersion.
Why your help matters
Your help matters because it directly supports a rural community that relies on small-scale farming, shared resources, and collective effort. By assisting in the garden, supporting women’s and youth initiatives, and engaging with local children and sports programs, you contribute to food security, community empowerment, and knowledge exchange.
Your presence also brings encouragement, new ideas, and cultural dialogue. Through simple daily actions—watering plants, working alongside women, coaching or assisting youth, and sharing skills—you help strengthen community resilience while gaining a deeper understanding of life in rural Gambia.
Role overview (what you’ll do) — under staff supervision
As a volunteer, you will take part in a variety of community, agricultural, and cultural activities. Tasks are adapted to your interests, skills, and the needs of the community.
Your main activities may include:
- Gardening and farming support: watering, planting, and maintaining the permaculture garden and banana plantation;
- Community engagement: supporting women’s groups and participating in local initiatives;
- Work with children and youth: assisting with school activities, community programs, or sports training through the local football club and academy;
- Cultural exchange: learning about Mandinka culture and language, sharing meals, and taking part in daily village life;
- Creative and practical support: helping with eco-projects, basic maintenance, DIY tasks, or creative community activities, depending on your skills.
Through these activities, you will gain insight into subsistence agriculture, community structures, gender roles, youth development, and grassroots social initiatives in The Gambia.
Who we’re looking for
This opportunity is best suited for volunteers who:
- are open-minded and respectful of different cultures,
- are comfortable with simple living conditions,
- have a basic working knowledge of English,
- are independent, adaptable, and patient,
- are genuinely interested in community life, farming, culture, or social development.
Previous experience is welcome but not required. Motivation and willingness to learn are more important than specific skills.
Training & supervision
Upon arrival, volunteers receive an informal orientation from the host, introducing them to the garden, daily routines, and community expectations.
You will be guided through tasks during your first days and gradually become more involved as you settle in. The host and community members are available for support, and activities are carried out collaboratively rather than in a formal institutional setting.
How to prepare
Bring comfortable outdoor clothing suitable for gardening and village life. Closed shoes or sandals suitable for farm work are recommended. During the rainy season, a light waterproof jacket is useful.
Because you will spend time outdoors, bring mosquito repellent, sunscreen, and personal hygiene items. A power bank and flashlight are recommended due to occasional power cuts.
This is a traditional Muslim community. Modest dress, cultural sensitivity, and respect for local customs are essential. Reading a cultural guide before arrival will help ensure a respectful and enriching experience.
Program Goals
- To support sustainable subsistence farming and permaculture practices;
- To empower women, youth, and children through community engagement and sports;
- To promote cultural exchange and mutual learning between volunteers and the local community;
- To support grassroots initiatives aligned with social development and the SDGs.
Fundraising
Funds raised through this program are used to support community development and sustainable living initiatives within the village. This includes improving conditions for daily life through support for subsistence farming, maintenance of the permaculture garden, and development of shared community spaces.
Part of the funds is allocated to social and educational projects for women, youth, and children, such as learning activities, basic materials, and skill-building initiatives. Additional support goes toward essential resources and equipment that enable the host family and community members to carry out their work more effectively and sustainably.
How it works?
Click HERE to learn everything you need to know—in one place—about how volunteering with us works and how to prepare.
Stories of Our Volunteers
Zala Košir
This can’t be started differently than to say that the experience was amazing, and it truly warmed my heart. If you are thinking of going to The Gambia as a volunteer, don’t wait any longer – just go for it. You won’t regret it. I know I should start at the beginning, so I’ll go back now.