Description

Ghana is a fantastic place to spend time volunteering abroad with children in orphanages and day care centers. Bordering the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, Ghana is a country of rich natural resources and ancient traditions. However, due to the onslaught of HIV/AIDS, which has left many children with no family members to care for them, there is a low life expectancy and a high infant mortality rate. Many of Ghana's children are struggling to survive, which is why our volunteer Care projects are so important.

The number of orphans in Ghana is a massive problem for the country's rudimentary social welfare services. In the orphanages that do exist, staff struggle with limited resources to feed, clothe and educate the children in their care. Staff all too often simply don't have the time to provide the individual love and attention that these children need to have as normal a childhood as possible.

Voluntary care work in Ghana is an ideal way to get involved and help improve conditions for the children. You can contribute towards this vital development work during a gap year, career break or just a holiday. Volunteers with qualifications and experience are welcome but you do not need to have either to volunteer. Energy, passion and commitment to the work at hand are all that you need.

We have various different volunteer options for you in Ghana, working in both orphanages and care homes with street children and those with special needs. We work in a number of areas, from the urban Accra, Ghana's capital city, to more rural locations such as the Akuapem Hills. There are also care placements in Cape Coast, Ho, and Kumasi.

Up to five volunteers work in the country's largest state-run orphanage in Accra, looking after around 150 children. Each volunteer is assigned to a particular house, or to the nursery, in order to get to know a small group of the orphans well.

We also have placements in smaller care homes, day care centers, and an HIV educational center.

In whichever volunteer care project in Ghana you find yourself, you need to be ready for a challenge. Many of the children are desperate for attention and there will undoubtedly be children present who have health problems and who need special attention due to disabilities.

For volunteers between the ages of 16 and 19 we offer this placement as a two-week summer high school special. And for our volunteers of all ages we also offer a two-week winter special.

Highlights

Living in vibrant, colourful Ghana will feel like an explosion; an enchanting sensory overload. Music is a central part of Ghanaian culture, so in the bigger towns - especially Accra - you will hear some great live bands and have some memorable nights out.

There are many, many attractions and places to visit. You will want to see the slave forts and spend a night in the rainforest at Kakum Rainforest Reserve, feed wild monkeys at The Boebeng Monkey Village or elephant watch at Mole National Park. If youre even more adventurous, consider the challenge of a journey to Timbuktu.

Travel across Ghana is cheap and easy, whether it be in a taxi, a tro-tro (a sort of minibus) or on a lake boat. There are clean, affordable places to stay and eat in all the main towns.

Ghana is a superb location for bird watching and is developing a good ecotourism philosophy. Its also an interesting place for history lovers and, once your overseas voluntary work is over, its a great stepping-off point from which to explore West Africa.

Qualifications

No qualifications, languages or qualifications required.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Food, Accommodation, in-country Transportation, Travel & Medical Insurance, Constant Support of Full-Time Staff.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Open-minded with a desire to travel.

Age Range

16-70

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Written Application
• Letters of Reference

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992