Civil war has been the norm in Angola since independence from Portugal in 1975. A 1994 peace accord between the government and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) provided for the integration of former UNITA insurgents into the government and armed forces. A national unity government was installed in April of 1997, but serious fighting resumed in late 1998, rendering hundreds of thousands of people homeless. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost in fighting over the past quarter century. The death of insurgent leader Jonas SAVIMBI in 2002 and a subsequent cease fire with UNITA may bode well for the country. (Description by Wikipedia.org)
Visit the following organizations offering volunteer abroad opportunities in Angola:
Peace Corp - Peace Corps volunteers travel overseas and make real differences in the lives of real people.
African Conservation Foundation - A volunteer organization dedicated to supporting and linking African conservation initiatives, groups and NGOs, with the aim to strengthen their capacity, build partnerships and promote effective communication and co-ordination of conservation efforts. Offers volunteer opportunities abroad.
Institute for International Cooperation and Development – A private non-profit organization. Since 1987, IICD has offered volunteer programs to people of all ages and walks of life. People, with a desire to travel the world and do good at the same time.
