Volunteer overseas in Ethiopia with Projects Abroad

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Volunteer Projects and Internships Abroad in Ethiopia

Ethiopia Map

Ethiopia, in Eastern Africa, is a fascinating place to volunteer abroad and a destination where our volunteers can make a huge difference. Our volunteer projects in Ethiopia are available for anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world, including those on a gap year, career break or volunteer vacation.

Children in Ethiopia

Projects Abroad Ethiopia is based in the capital city of Addis Ababa. Our international volunteering opportunities are located in schools teaching English or on care projects in orphanages and care homes. Volunteers can also take part in physiotherapy and international journalism internships. Projects Abroad volunteers live with local host families during their time overseas, guaranteeing that they’ll experience another underrated aspect of Ethiopia – its friendly and welcoming people.

Addis Ababa is a rapidly growing city that combines elements of old and new Ethiopia. Located in the center of the country at an altitude of 2400m, Addis is the third highest capital city in the world and has a pleasant, temperate climate with warm days and cool nights.

Volunteering Abroad in Ethiopia

Children

It is impossible to think of Ethiopia and not recall the haunting images of famine from the 1980s and 2000s. With the unpredictable rains, a lack of food in the dry northern areas of the country will undoubtedly occur again. However, with an increased international presence and early warning indicators in place, famine on the scale of previous disasters should become an increasingly distant memory. This region of Africa still needs much support and it is a great location for anyone wishing to help by doing some international volunteer work.

Ethiopia is the size of France and Spain combined, so most first time visitors are amazed by the variety of lush landscapes and spectacular scenery the country offers. From the fertile countryside and multicolored lakes of the Rift Valley to the rocky backdrop of the world renowned Lalibela churches or the dramatic snowcapped peaks of the rugged Simien Mountains, most of Ethiopia is nothing like the parched and barren land that comes to mind from news reports

Volunteer Travel and Tourism in Ethiopia

Kid

During the weekends, you can take time off from your volunteer work to explore the attractions of Addis Ababa. It’s fascinating to see the mud huts basking in the shadows of lavish high-rise hotels. Priests in traditional dress hurry along the streets alongside suited businessmen chatting on cell phones, avoiding the passing donkeys and speeding Land Rovers.

The choice of entertainment is equally varied with plenty of activities to choose from. You can spend hours exploring the Merkato, one of the largest markets in Africa, visit a tej beat – a traditional local pub – or catch the latest Hollywood blockbuster at a movie theater. Addis Ababa is also home to some of the best museums in Africa as well as great restaurants, serving some of the most highly seasoned food anywhere on the African continent. Popular traditional Ethiopian specialties include the stew-like wat and the staple bread, injera.

At the end of your international volunteer experience, you can take the opportunity to travel to Lalibela, a place of pilgrimage with churches hewn straight out of the bedrock, located 2630m above sea level. Although Lalibela is one of Ethiopia’s main visitor attractions, it still remains very isolated and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back many centuries.

Independent travel in Ethiopia is hugely rewarding, even though the infrastructure of the country is fairly basic. You’ll get used to the curiosity that you attract as a Westerner and you’ll make many warm and genuine friends here.