Care Work in Ghana with Projects Abroad

  Ghana

• Accra: 
Accra

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: All Year Round (you set the start and end dates)

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 high infant mortality rates. 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 doesn't have the time to provide the individual love and attention that these children need so they can 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.

* Voluntary Community Development work in Orphanages and Care Centers with Projects Abroad

We have various different volunteer options for you in Ghana, working in both orphanages and care homes. 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.

Whether you are taking a group out for an afternoon on the beach, helping older children with school homework or playing a game with the younger ones, you will be an essential part of their development. Any extra interests or skills that you have can be put to good use, and please let our local staff know about them when you apply.

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.

* Volunteering on a Special Needs Care Placement in Ghana

While we have a placement at a home specifically for mentally and physically disabled children, you may also find that there are some children with disabilities in the orphanages and other care placements sites as well.

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.

It is in your role as a volunteer - spending time with the children, playing with them and putting a smile on their faces that Projects Abroad volunteers are so valuable.

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: The Ghanaian people, in general, are the friendliest you will meet. They pride themselves as being the friendliest in Africa, sometimes in the world! In order to appreciate the sincere friendliness of them please make every effort to instigate conversations with your host family and workmates. Only by doing this will you really learn and therefore appreciate the Ghanaian culture.

For your accommodation, you'll live with a host-family. All the families involved are extremely supportive of Projects Abroad and are eager to experience an inter-cultural exchange so they can learn more about the lives of volunteers.

This project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications: No qualifications, languages or qualifications required.

Cost in US$: From US$ 2,345 up

Experience Required: no

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

Participants Travel to Ghana Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

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