Description

Up in the rural Akuapem Hills, about one hour north of Ghana's capital city, Accra, our Community Farm Project offers volunteers the opportunity to work on a small organic farm. Whether taking part in a gap year, summer placement or career break, volunteers along with two local members of our staff are responsible for maintaining all aspects of the farm including animal care, crop-growing, flower-production, herb-cultivation and land-management. They also arrange school trips to the farm to educate the local children.

Volunteering in Sustainable Development and Organic Agriculture with Projects Abroad

The farm is based just ten minutes away from the Akuapem Hills regional office and all volunteers live with local host-families. This project is usually combined with another project in the Akuapem Hills as the work here only takes place in the afternoon. Volunteers working on the Community Building Project or on a Care or Teaching project in the region could also help on the farm.

Produce that is grown on the farm includes small quantities of oranges, plantains, papaya, carrots, onions, yams and herbs that are used as medicinal remedies. The farm is also home to rabbits, guinea pigs, geese and, once the pond is complete, fish.

Your Role as a Volunteer

Volunteers arrange trips for local schools to visit the farm. Children are then educated about the processes involved in growing crops in a sustainable environment. They also learn how to take care of animals and how to identify seeds and produce herbs. Volunteers receive training from local specialists in the different techniques involved and are given an agricultural text-book, which is part of the curriculum, to use with the school children.

Additional projects for volunteers include:

* Fencing and netting parts of the site
* Planting new seeds and herbs
* Helping to build enclosures
* Creating a display area for seeds and herbs
* Helping with the construction of a rest area for volunteers and planting trees to provide shade.

This project is a fantastic way to help develop sustainable, organic farming techniques while passing on a vital awareness of conservation issues to the new generation of children in Africa.

Highlights

Living in vibrant, colorful 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 you're 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. It's also an interesting place for history lovers and, once your overseas voluntary work is over, it's a great stepping-off point from which to explore West Africa.

Qualifications

none

Intern Types

• Social Work

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Community Development
• Gardening
• Organic Farming
• Volunteering

Typical Volunteer

Open-minded with a willingness to travel.

Age Range

16 and up

This Program is open to

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 of 2-5

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• 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