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Before you go to the country where you will be volunteering, you need to know which safety precautions to take. This is important not only for your personal safety or for your health, but also for the sake of your community where you will be the volunteer.

There are so many things to know that will influence your safety precautions. The first of these is what the health precautions are that you need to take. This would include making sure that your vaccinations are up-to-date. You also need to make sure that you get any additional vaccinations that may be required. As an Africa volunteer you need to know about Yellow Fever and get your vaccination for that. You also need to be very aware of the areas where Malaria is prevalent. There is no vaccination against Malaria and therefore you will need to take a Malaria net for your bed, cream mosquito deterrents and citronella oil and burners. Many of these things can be bought in the country that you are going to – just remember to take a small amount with you to tide you over until you can get more.

Apart from your health, there is also your physical safety that you need to take into consideration. As an Africa volunteer, you need to take note of the security status of the African country that you’re going to. The United States Department of State and the United Nations issue statements and lists of countries considered safe or unsafe. It is on their websites so you can easily look it up.

Your agency should also be able to give you an overview of the security status of your host country and give you exit instructions where the security situation is unstable. Along with this you (or your agency) should register with your country’s embassy in the host country. Should anything happen to you or in the country, the embassy will be aware of your presence in the country and be in a position to help you.

In addition to the above, the Africa volunteer also needs to be aware of the crime situation in the country. It is wise to have a money belt and to wear sensible clothes when out and about. It is also wise to go out in groups of two or more. Be careful of dark nooks and crannies and beware of un-asked for overtures or advances by the general population.

All things considered you can expect to have a rewarding volunteering experience if you take care of yourself and act responsibly. You can never predict what is going to happen - whether you’re at home or in your host country. Always be careful.