I a 19yrold white american girl and will be traveling to africa alone next summer to volunteer, is it safe????

I am a average looking girl, thin, long dirty blonde hair

You're gonna get hacked up by machetes... muahahahahah!

Safe? No. But then, walking down the sidewalk in your hometown isn't safe either.

The real question is "how risky is it?" That depends entirely on where in Africa you're going, what organization you're going with, are you small and cute or big and muscular, and many other factors.

Please expand on your question.

Hi Jennifer,

Who are you going with and where are you going? Has this group been to this location before? Are there orientation events prior to departure? Have you traveled to austere locations before? No air conditioning, running water, no or few toilets, sleeping on mats or cots are some of the attributes. If you tent camp for extended periods, you should be okay with the environment. If you haven't tent camped, it is time to start.

As far as personal safety, there are some basic rules that everyone should follow, when away from home:

1) Don't be an obvious tourist. (a) Cover up and dress down. (b) Don't draw attention to yourself by talking loud or chattering. (c) Do not walk around with expensive jewelry or electronics visible.
2) Always know where you are going and walk with purpose. 3) Travel in groups of no less than three. One or two need to be adult or older teen males.
4) Use only prearranged or officially licensed buses or taxi service. Do not accept a ride even though it may be at a cheaper rate or free!
5) Remember that you are not home and the views of religion can be in opposition to those you hold. Don't get into debates! (a) If you are with a religious organization, follow the instructions of your host.
6) Stay away from US policy questions or those of your host government. Peaceful leadership transition is not that common in most of the world and you do not know the alliance with whom you are talking.
7) Do not expect the local police to protect you. They are there to solve the crime, not to prevent it. That does include the USA!

To paraphrase Forest Gump, Safety is as safety does.

The list above is applicable to all travelers and is not picking on Africa. I was in Ethiopia last month and traveled there frequently, since December, and to the region over the years.

I enjoy international travel and have been to over 40 countries around the world. Predators sense fear and fear is removed with knowledge. I hope that I have helped.

Regards,

Michael

Safety depends on the social organization coordinating the volunteer experience and the target country in Africa. The questioni silent on these two points have direct bearig on the level of risks attached to the proposed travel.

General precaution would entail the traveller does some background check/desk research on destination, their people, culture and recent impact and implication of globalization on their culture and livelihood. The white lady may likely signify "threats" or "benefit" of globalization to the locals (directly, indirectly or by implication) and the tour planner or volunteer workers should envisiage and prepare for reactions from locals. It is then that risks earlier expressed by other respondents can be minimized.

no it isn't in africa they have rape gangs all over and they especially rape tourist because its less likely that you'll have AID's. now imagine a population of 100,000,000 people in an african country, now imagine 1 in every 4 women have been gang raped by arican rape gangsters who are infested with diseases including AID's. now imagine being snatched in to an alley and raped in broad daylight and people close by and walking can hear you scream as your every orifice is ravaged during your indignification and nobody come your aid. this is a reality!

many women in africa wake up and pray that someone doesn't force AID's infested semen into her and doom her .

i speak the truth here and i fear for your safety and your life.
choose another place if you can.