About Us

Since 1963, Senegal’s government has requested United States Peace Corps Volunteers to help fulfill its development needs. These American volunteers serve in both rural and urban communities, devoting two or more years of their lives to grassroots community change. The Peace Corps approach serves as a global model for grassroots development and cultural exchange. Currently over 230 Volunteers work in the areas of Agriculture, Agro-forestry, Health, Environmental Education, Small Enterprise Development and Ecotourism.

Quick Facts

• Population: 12,855,153
• Dates Active: 1963-Present
• Number of Volunteers: 230
• Total Volunteers to date: 2,813
• Where We Work: 12 of 14 Regions in Senegal
• Languages Spoken: French, Wolof, Mandinka, Jaxanke, Malinke, Kalunka, Bambara, Pulaar, Pula Futa, Fula Kunda, Toukoulor, Seereer

Peace Corps in Senegal

Peace Corps Senegal Volunteers and staff are very focused on making sustainable progress in the communities where we work. We view our role as facilitators, helping to build long-term capacity in our communities and to serve as catalysts for collaborative development work among our network of partners including non-governmental organizations, the Government of Senegal, private sector companies, and the donor community. We take pride in our mission to make a tangible difference in the lives of the people with whom we live and work.

Peace Corps Volunteers in Senegal are deeply integrated into their communities. Almost all Volunteers live with host families and become fluent in local languages like Wolof,Pulaar,Mandinka and the national language French.

Peace Corps Senegal can support over 230 Volunteers because of its capable and informed staff. The staff focuses on program development and management, volunteer training, volunteer safety, security and medical support, financial management and logistical support.

The Peace Corps Senegal staff is led by Country Director Chris Hedrick. Program management is led by four Associate Peace Corps Directors (APCD) who focus on different Volunteer programs: Mamadou Diaw manages the Health and Environmental Education programs; Famara Massaly, leads the Sustainable Rural Agriculture, Urban Agriculture, and Food Security programs; Demba Sidibe manages the Agroforestry program, and Amar Sall manages the Business and Ecotourism programs.