Volunteer Travel to West Africa (Sierra Leone & Liberia) – Episode 272

The Amateur Traveler talks to Chris Guillebeau from the Art of Non-Conformity about his years volunteering in West Africa with the NGO (non-governmental organization) Mercy Ships.

Chris and his wife volunteered with this organization in Sierra Leone and Liberia which gave them a very different view of West Africa.

For those not familiar with Mercy Ships, they provide medical services in under-served areas of the world from their floating hospital ships. Chris was in Sierra Leone shortly after the end of its costly civil war. This episode is not about travel to lie on the beach and work on your tan (although Chris does recommend bringing your sunscreen) but about life-changing travel. And no, Chris is not a doctor.

right click here to download (mp3)
right click here to download (iTunes version with pictures)

Show Notes

Chris Guillebeau
The Art of Non-Conformity
Mercy Ships
ReliefWeb
Sierra Leone
Liberia

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Community

Bill wrote in: “First let me say how much I enjoy your Podcast, and how envious I am as an aspiring amateur traveler myself. I found you podcast about 9 months ago and have listened to nearly every show. It’s great company on a 30 min commute to and from work. Some of my favorites include the shows on photography, world heritage sites, and of course the European cities shows. It’s so refreshing to get a point of view other than Samantha Brown, Rick Steve, or the likes of Frommers. :-)”

Dean names the Dunkleosteus