G H A N AVolunteer Program

G H A N A Volunteer ProgramCONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. ACCOMMODATION

3. PROJECTS: BRIEF DESCRIPTION

4. PROGRAM SERVICES

5. SAMPLE PROGRAMME ITINERARY

6. EXPERIENCE GHANA & SIDE TRIPS

7. FLIGHTS & INSURANCE

8. MAP OF GHANA

G H A N A Volunteer ProgramINTRODUCTIONGhana has long been one of USIT’s most

popular volunteer destinations and many volunteers find themselves changed by the

end of their experience.

It is one of our tougher placements due to a lack of western comforts e.g. Little hot water, Internet & Wi-Fi is rarely found in the rural locations and electricity can run out on occasion. But these are life’s little luxuries that we’ve got used to and volunteers surprise themselves at how quickly they adapt to more basic living conditions.

While the initial orientation is completed in the capital city of Accra, volunteers will be transferred to a range of project locations through local communities in Ghana.

Depending on the location of the placement the volunteer may find that they are the only western person living in their village and this can throw up

its own set of challenges, but at the end of it our volunteers say Ghana is a rewarding, enlightening & confidence building experience - well worth it!

ACCOMMODATIONThe Ghana projects put an emphasis on

volunteers immersing themselves in local culture so the accommodation provided while

on placement with these projects is Host Family style.

Volunteers will become part of the family and have a rare and valuable opportunity of experiencing life from the inside of an authentic Ghanaian community.

Each volunteer will have their own room but will share the bathroom and living quarters with the host family. Host families will also provide the volunteer with most of their meals.

G H A N A Volunteer ProgramPROJECT: BRIEF DESCRIPTIONSOCIAL CARE: CHILDREN’S HOMES & ORPHANAGES

This involves working with children on a daily basis in one of many orphanages throughout Ghana.

Children in these homes age from 2 to 17 years of age. We also have a babies home that takes in infants whose mothers have died in childbirth or have been abandoned for various reasons. The home aims to reunite these infants with surviving family members rather than see them move on to an Orphanage.

While not for the faint hearted the Children’s Homes & Orphanages are a great experience for volunteers who want to make a difference in these children’s lives.

DURATION: 2 to 36 weeks

TEACHING: COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL & EDUCATION FOR ORPHANS

While volunteers do not need any formal teaching experience it would be beneficial to have some previous

experience or qualifications for the teaching projects.

However past volunteers interested in pursuing a teaching career have found it to be a great experience.

The schools have classes for children of all ages and volunteers will really get a chance to make a personal impact on these projects.

DURATION: 4 to 12 weeks

MEDICINE, HEALTH CARE & HEALTH SANITATION

Volunteers will be placed in one of two hospitals, the region of Swedru or Tamale. It’s a great project for volunteers to see a

wide variety of medical issues, both acute and chronic. The most common treatments will be for malaria.

DURATION: 4 to 12 weeks

G H A N A Volunteer ProgramPROJECT: BRIEF DESCRIPTIONEDUCATION: LEARNING CENTRES & STREET CHILDREN SUPPORT

SPORT DEVELOPMENT

DISABILITY CARE

This project is similar to the teaching project except it’s in a more informal setting, volunteers will be dealing with children

in rural communities who have no access to a formal education. Tasks including teaching basic literacy programs, training of care givers, running arts & crafts classes, teaching English & Maths.

DURATION: 4 to 12 weeks

Volunteers on this type of project teach and coach sports in schools and community centres. Football (Soccer), Basketball and volleyball are the most popular sports. Volunteers will run classes both during and after school hours. The sports programme is used to address wider social issues, such as gender inequality and helps develop life skills such as leadership and decision making for the children. Volunteers would be wise not to underestimate the power of social change such a programme can have on the local community – it is much more than a kick about.

DURATION: 4 to 36 weeks

This project is looking for volunteers with a background or experience working with children with special needs. Speech and Occupational therapists in particular are in need on this project. There are also placements available to work with adults with Intellectual disabilities, Autism & Celebral Palsy. If you have the experience and you are looking to make a difference, your presence and help on this projects would be greatly appreciated by the local clients of these services. DURATION: 2 to 36 weeks

G H A N A Volunteer ProgramPROJECT: BRIEF DESCRIPTIONWILDLIFE, ECOTOURISM & ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION & RESTORATION Approximately 20% of Ghana is covered by forests and so the country has a keen interest in protecting its natural flora and fauna. Volunteers working on this project will gain experience in many areas – develop income generating initiative, develop locally managed tourist camps, reforestation projects such as tree planting, field research and raising local awareness about the importance of sustainable environment practices. DURATION: 2 to 36 weeks

PROGRAM SERVICES

• Airport Pick Up • Orientation in Accra (2 Day for Short

Programs / 3 Days for 4 Weeks Plus Programs)

• Hostel Accommodation while on Orientation• Breakfast & Dinner while in Orientation• Traditional Music & Drumming/Dancing

Activity • Twi Language Lesson • Transfer to local project • Local project orientation • Host Family Accommodation while on

placement • Daily meals while staying with the host family • Dedicated local programme coordinator

throughout the project

VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT INCLUDED SERVICES:

G H A N A Volunteer ProgramSAMPLE PROGRAM ITINERARY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

TIME

MORNING

AFTERNOON

EVENING

ACTIVITY

Welcome and introduction:

Staying Healthy in Ghana

City Tour of Accra:

Lunch at Osu Oxford Street

Dinner and Accra Night Life

Transportation in Ghana and Visa Processing and Extensions

Learning and Interaction about the Ghanaian culture. The objective is to have an increased understanding of family life and the various tribes in Ghana.

Language and Communication lessons. A historical overview of languages in Ghana with special emphasis on some often spoken Akan vocabularies in all parts of the country. Through an exciting and interactive course you will learn the basics of this wonderful and expressive language.

Lunch at the Beach

Dinner and Evening at the hostel

Traditional Music Drumming and Dancing in the afternoon at the Beach. You will experience some of the drumming and dance that is traditional to Ghana. The activities will include a practical lesson in drumming and dance, including songs and the meaning of the drum beats, as well as the uses of the various drums in the ensemble.

• About local volunteer organization• Code of conduct for volunteer participants

• National Cultural Center• Kwame Nkruma Museum• Scenic Drive passing the following:

Sports Stadium, National Conference

Center, Parliament House and Independence Square.

• Makola Market

1 hour

1 hour

5 hours

1 hour

1 hour 30 minutes

30 minutes

Varies

Free

2 hours

WEEK 1: ARRIVAL AND ORIENTATION

All orientations begin on Mondays.

G H A N A Volunteer ProgramSAMPLE PROGRAM ITINERARYWEDNESDAY- REGIONAL ORIENTATION

THURSDAY

FRIDAY- HOST COMMUNITY ORIENTATION

TIME

MORNING

MORNING

MORNING

AFTERNOON

AFTERNOON

EVENING

ACTIVITY

Transfer to Ashanti, Central and Northern Regions

Transfer to Ashanti, Central and Northern Regions

First orientation with Project

With Host Families

Scavenger hunt activity in the Community

Lunch and transfer to Host Families

Pickup and transfer to Regional office for regional orientation

Lunch

Lunch at the Beach

• Host Family and Work Placement Issues• Cross Cultural orientation and Language session

• Transfer to Host Families and Hostels• Dinner

• Free Time in the Evening

Varies

Varies

Varies

WEEK 1: ARRIVAL AND ORIENTATION CONTINUED

G H A N A Volunteer Program

Many of volunteers are so surprised by the travel choices that Ghana has to offer both at weekends for short trips and at

the end of their placement if they wanted to travel around for a week or two.

It has been labelled as ‘Africa for beginners’ simply because it is so easy for travellers to get around with an accessible transport service. Beautiful beaches, vibrant cities, diverse wildlife and rich culture await intrepid in travellers in Ghana.

Perhaps you want to travel further afield after your placement and head down to South Africa or Zimbabwe for example. USIT can arrange your flights around your adventure plans and you can choose to go solo or book a small group tour, make friends and experience new cultures.

Just talk with your USIT coordinator about how you want to spend your next adventure! One great example of our wide range of tours is this 21 Day Adventure tour travelling throughout Ghana and popping into Togo and Benin from €1,721.

This comprehensive 21-day adventure showcases these three wonderful countries and offers an unrivalled way to experience a healthy slice of West African life.

EXPERIENCE GHANA & SIDE TRIPS

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• English speaking local guide• All Transport • 3 Nights Bush Camping• 11 Nights Camping with facilities • 1 Night Guesthouse stay • 3 Nights Hotel stay • 2 Nights Lodge stay• Guided city of Togoville• Guided tour of Palace and Museum, Abomey• Dugout canoe trip on Lake Togo • Stilt Village Boat Trip • Tour of Tata Somba houses• Visit Akosombo Dam• Walking Village Tour

G H A N A Volunteer Program

All participants of a USIT Volunteer Project must purchase their flights & insurance through USIT.

Our Insurance policy is a Work & Travel policy tailored to the volunteer experience.

All flight itineraries will be discussed and agreed between the volunteer and USIT coordinator before finalising the details.

Your USIT coordinator can tailor make certain flight plans to include stopovers or multi stop itineraries should you wish to do some travel to other countries besides Ghana – just let us know where you want to go next!

FLIGHTS & INSURANCE

G H A N A Volunteer ProgramMAP OF GHANA

Sunyani

Bole

TamaleYendi

Bolgatanga

Salaga

Bimbilla

Obuasi

WinnebaTemaACCRA

Cape Coast

Sekondi-Takoradi

Koforidua

Ho

Lake VoltaMampong

Kumasi

IVORYCOAST

BURKINAFASO

TOGO

GULF OF GUINEA

BENIN