Ghana

Placement Overview

A warm welcome awaits you in Ghana where education is highly valued. Here your contribution however small it may appear to you will make a difference.

Spend your free time marvelling at local ceremonies, the savannah, tropical rainforest, castles and wildlife reserves of elephant, lion and buffalo.

Your Experience

If you would like to get stuck in with a rewarding project, are resourceful and would like the freedom and flexibility to try out your own ideas this placement is for you. Volunteers can choose to help build houses in a remote community and work with children of all ages from infants to teens from play work/sport at orphanages, organise activities at nursery schools, set up mini projects from scratch, teach in a variety of different schools from poor schools, Islamic schools to technical/vocational colleges.

For those looking to get off the beaten track, away from the crowds, perhaps you have teaching experience or have volunteered elsewhere before and are looking for a new independent challenge there are many more opportunities available. Perhaps you would like to live in at a remote orphanage or school or set up your own community project. Previous volunteers have started a poultry farm, improved toilet facilities, put on educational plays on different themes, donated water filters and repaired school walls.. Local coordinators can advise on what is currently available help you to make all the arrangements for a transfer as soon as you have settled in.

For those interested but not sure about going it alone there are still plenty of opportunities during your stay to get away for short day trips/weekends with your fellow volunteers to closer but still fairly remote locations to organise sports days, teach one off classes, build or paint. Local coordinators will advise what is currently available and how best to arrange.

Placement at a Glance

Age

18yrs+ on arrival

Project location

Rural community in hills close to Mpraeso in the Kwahu region.

Accommodation

Volunteer house in hamlet of Obo: Shared modern Ghanaian house house with kitchen, bathroom, flushing toilet.

Working hours

Variable (usually part time) depending on chosen area of work

Language

English is widely understood.

Getting to project

Volunteers travel in pairs or groups by local taxi (which serve as public buses) or on foot. Average cost per taxi journey is about 35p.

Minimum stay

1 week

Volunteers usually stay

2-3 weeks, longer stays possible

Project operates

All year round

When to apply

This is a very popular project with both first time volunteers wanting to experience Africa for the first time, second-project volunteers and returning volunteers. Register as early as possible to secure your place.

Costs

£37 per week payable on arrival includes accommodation

Airport Pick-up Service

£30 pick-up and transfer to volunteer house

We consider this project ideal for you

Want to experience Africa within a safe and informal environment. Would like to try something new and develop your skills and confidence. Want to try out your own ideas (sport/art and craft in addition to teaching)

Ghana at a glance

Ghana, a former British colony is one of the most peaceful in Africa. Its lush green plantations and dusty, sleepy roads will draw you in and make you feel you are at home. The people in Ghana warm and friendly despite forty percent living below the poverty line. There is great pride and energy which is clear to see in the classroom, during ceremonies and on the football pitch.

Not to be missed: Kakum National Park, Lake Volta (the largest manmade lake in the world), coastal forts and beaches, Elmina castle, Accra's bustling harbour area, elephants at Mole National Park, hippos at Weichau in northern Ghana, the stilt village of Nzuleo.

Visit the little visited neighbouring countries of Togo and Burkina Faso. Climate: 23-38 degrees Celsius. Religions: 63% Christian, 16% Muslim, 21% indigenous beliefs. Time difference from the UK: GMT +0 hrs (Ghana Standard Time is GMT)

To get involved with the building project volunteers will need to bring the following additional resources: Extra money for the raw building materials £100 - £200 will cover 1- 2 weeks worth of materials depending the stage of the build when you are there.