Description

Ghana is a beautiful, tiny country located in Africa, with an English speaking population. In choosing to volunteer in Ghana, you would experience a hospitable and warm group of people with a "feel free" culture as is often said in Ghana, where you should feel free to explore your interests and who you are. Volunteer opportunities include teaching, construction, and working on Aids projects. Excursions include a visit to a monkey sanctuary, a tour of Accra, and a visit to Elmina Castle, among others.

United Planet's Volunteer Abroad Quest program offers signature pre-departure and in-country training, personal volunteer support, meaningful volunteer opportunities, diverse cultural and learning activities, local excursions, a strong host family network, and much more.

Highlights

United Planet Short-term Quest (1-12 weeks) offers 16 destinations in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and Middle East. Volunteers can choose a project from a wide range of projects, such as: orphanage care, teaching English, environmental work, healthcare and more. You will be 100% immersed in the local culture though cultural activities, excursions, and host family stays. You will also be supporting essential community development work.

Long-term Volunteer Quests are available for 6 months and 1 year. Volunteers receive personal and customized support and take part in intensive pre-departure training and in-country orientations as well as mid-year and final year camps with other volunteers from all over the world. You do not need any specific skills or language abilities to take part. You will attain new skills, competencies, and broadened global perspectives through your involvement in the long-term Quest program!

As a long-term volunteer, you will have the exciting opportunity to gain an even deeper understanding and appreciation of a foreign land and culture through service, language and inter-cultural training, cultural learning activities, and exploration.

United Planet is the proud US and Canadian partner within the International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) Federation, the oldest long-term volunteering federation in the world. With over 60 years of experience, the ICYE Federation has a proven track record and upholds the highest standards for excellence in serving both the volunteers and the communities involved.

There are many interesting destinations both in developed and developing countries. You can support children in communities throughout France and Italy; assist in agricultural, environmental, and community projects in New Zealand, Nepal, and India; help with AIDS/HIV programs in Uganda, Russia, Nigeria, or assist in human rights issues in Brazil, Bolivia, Mozambique, and Lithuania. These are just a few of the many opportunities that we offer!

United Planet is committed to the accessibility of programs for all. For less than the cost of living independently in many of our program countries, you can participate in a fully supported and well-structured international voluntary exchange program with over 60 years of experience. We hope that you will recognize and take advantage of this special opportunity.

Ghana:

The Republic of Ghana is unique in so many ways. One of the first African nations to gain independence from colonial rule, Ghana is an English-speaking country surrounded by Francophone countries. The southern border is a stretch of beautiful coastline with inviting beaches. Each of its ten regions offers a unique experience - including historic slave forts, indigenous crafts, game parks and the only jungle canopy walk in Africa. Quest volunteers will have the opportunity to visit the beach, explore local neighborhoods, and listen to live music at local clubs.

Quest Program Briefs:

Short Term (1-12 weeks)

* Medical Center Quest: Volunteers on this Quest can work at a clinic and/or hospital in Ho. The aim of the centers is to provide quality and affordable medical care for the people of the Ho region and its surrounding towns and villages. The clinic and hospital both offer out-patient and in-patient services. This placement is mostly observational; however, the volunteer may be given tasks such as taking patients vitals, dressing wounds, giving injections and other tasks. Volunteers with a medical degree and experience will be very suited for this placement.

* Rural Health Care Quest: Volunteers work in a clinic that helps with the treatment and diagnosis of common health problems such as malaria, diarrhea and respiratory diseases, while giving prompt and timely access to health services in remote communities. This project is an excellent placement for nurses or nursing students, but other volunteers are welcome as well. Licensed medical practitioners are able to actively participate in the patient care.

* Teaching Quest: You can volunteer at primary and secondary schools in one of three villages in Ghana. The schools lack teachers and are in need of volunteers. There are around 300-400 students at each school but only 15-20 teachers. Therefore class sizes are very big. Volunteers are sought after to teach English, science, mathematics, geography, or even vocational skills.

* Community Education NGO Quest: Volunteers will work with a non-government organization (NGO) that aims to support people with disabilities in the Volta Region of Ghana. Possible tasks for volunteers are writing grant proposals, educating community members on topics such as HIV/AIDS and human rights, training grassroots groups, administrative work, etc.

Long Term (6 or 12 months)

* Education Quests: Volunteers work in local schools to assist teachers and enhance the experience for the children. Work includes teacher assistance, tutoring children, creating games and activities, homework assistance, and more. Volunteers may also focus on programs to encourage at-risk children to stay in school.

* Social Quests: Volunteers help children from a variety of disadvantaged backgrounds. The work can include supervising play, developing games and activities, and assisting the organizations with fund raising.

Option Excursions:
While in Ghana on your Quest, take the opportunity to experience some of Ghana's hidden gems - including Mole National Park, Ghana's largest national park, and Paga Crocodile Pond, where you have the opportunity to touch and pose with live crocodiles!

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees

Program Fees Include:

* Pre-departure support
* Airport transfers
* Travel Insurance
* Accommodations (host family or guest house)
* Meals (lunch and dinner not included in the Biakpa Guesthouse)
* Full Coordination while in Ghana
* Excursions
* Diverse cultural and learning activities
* Cell phone rental

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

People of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to join us. We are extremely proud of our international volunteers. Each and every volunteer strives to be a good ambassador through their flexibility, courage, open-mindedness, positive spirit, and genuine desire to make a difference. To help prepare you for the predictable and unpredictable aspects of your time abroad, you will be offered comprehensive pre-departure training and in-country orientations, as well as personal support from our Program Coordinators. We will work with you to help you gain the tools you need for a fun, safe and successful volunteer abroad experience.

Age Range

18+, minors must be accompanied by guardians

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone/Video Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

24hours

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

United Planet's Mission Statement

As an international non-profit organization, United Planet (UP) strives to create a world in which all people understand, respect, and support one another. United Planet's global network of leaders and volunteers fosters cross-cultural understanding and addresses shared challenges to unite the world in a community beyond borders. In 2008, United Planet was one of only ten organizations selected by CNN to be part of its "Be the Change" initiative.

Year Founded

2001