Description

Pele, Yeboah, and Essien, we are guessing those names do not mean much to you unless you are a die-hard soccer fan. But toss out those names to almost any child in Ghana, and you will soon learn that they are the some of Ghana's most idolized soccer players of all time.

At the 2010 World Cup, the Black Stars, Ghana's national soccer team, became only one of three African soccer teams in history to advance to the World Cup quarter finals. With the success of the Black Stars, the sport's popularity is reaching fever pitch. Because of its famed status, soccer is also the perfect enticement to help further the education and potential of street/at-risk youth in Ghana. In general, sports is also one of Africa's fastest growing career tracks.

Despite an 83 percent school enrollment rate, it is estimated that about 500,000 of Ghana's children do not attend school due to extreme poverty. Many of their parents cannot afford the basic learning materials that a proper education requires -- uniforms, books, backpacks, and pens/pencils. Not able to attend school, children are forced to work to help support themselves and their families. Some even resort to violent crime and prostitution.

In the small fishing village of Krokobite, the sport of soccer is used to motivate at-risk children to attend school so that they may have a better quality of life. Children are awarded scholarships to attend school based on their academic achievement. They are also afforded the opportunity to attend soccer camps in tandem with their academic pursuits. By learning how to train and play soccer, students develop their talents and learn valuable skills that will help them to gain college admittance or to pursue careers in professional soccer.

AMPED volunteers may be assigned the following responsibilities:

* Teaching children (7 - 11 years ) the rules of soccer and proper ball handling skills;
* Teaching children discipline, and how to properly train and condition for athletics;
* Organizing soccer games/matches.

Highlights

Authentic cultural immersion experience as participants live with a local host family in addition to having daily interaction with other locals in the community and at their project assignment. Project near beautiful sandy white beaches suitable for swimming and surfing.

Qualifications

Must be at least 18 years of age and possess knowledge regarding the game of soccer.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

From 709 plus registration fee

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Includes project set-up arrangements, airport pick-up and drop-off, orientation, host family accommodations, three meals/day, and 24/7 emergency in-country support

Experience Required

yes

Must be at least 18 years of age and possess knowledge regarding the game of soccer

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

While participation is not limited to this demographic, the average age is 18-26. Participants that are flexible and open minded when it comes to cultural differences, ways of life, and work pace are those that tend to benefit most from their experience abroad, as do those that demonstrate initiative with regard to recommending and implementing changes to improve the project and to assist the staff.

Age Range

18 and over

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

2-4 weeks

Year Founded

2008