Community Work with Children in Accra

  Ghana

• Accra: 
Accra

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: multiple start dates

Description: Be part of it with i-to-i!
Our goal is to achieve 400yrs of combined volunteering all over the world by the end of 2008.

So far we have achieved 325yrs which when broken down means we achieved the following:

- Over 5500 children cared for on our community projects around the world
- A minimum of 13,000 children and adults taught English in schools and community centres
- Hundreds of animals protected including Turtles, Pandas, Elephants, Monkeys and more
- At least 80 homes and structures built for families and communities in need
- More than 8000 trees planted which are enough trees to offset the CO2 emissions of over 2,000 cars

Want to use your talents for good?

In Africa, poverty and beauty seem to be different sides of the same coin; the climate that sustains diverse wildlife, golden sandy beaches and wild savannah also impedes the continent's efforts to develop and feed itself. You'll experience this for yourself on this project as you'll be working in the amazing city of Accra on the beautiful southern coastline with some of the city's most underprivileged children. The project exists to help orphaned and street children develop English and vocational skills through activities such as art and drama but it also aims to put a smile on their faces and show them a little fun. You'll go fully armed with our TEFL certification to make sure you don't run out of ideas to keep them busy.

Find out more about i-to-i, watch their short video here: http://video.i-to-i.com/site-videos/video.html

Highlights: What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?

"Everything! I wanted to talk about every little detail, my experiences were really hard to explain to others as I felt like I had changed when I left these amazing places. You meet the most wonderful group of people who are also there to volunteer. I have made a lifelong bond with so many beautiful people from all over the world." (Kelly Walton)

In 1996 a survey found that there were 10,400 street children in Accra, of which half were boys and half were girls. Compared to other African cities this may not sound like a large amount, but what is concerning is the speed at which the number is increasing. In 2003, another survey was conducted which discovered 20,000 children and 6,000 babies on the streets.

Volunteers are desperately needed to support the staff running the centers, and to provide some basic skills and companionship. Children with little formal education in Ghana do not tend to speak English or have only a basic knowledge. As English is the national language in Ghana, English teachers are a permanent necessity and by helping in these areas you can bring an invaluable skill to the children you work with.

Qualifications: Some experience working with young people would be helpful.

Cost in US$: $1790.00 for 4 weeks, $200.00 for every week thereafter

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: If you are interested in immersing yourself in another culture while giving your time to a worthy cause, then you are a typical i-to-i volunteer. We invite you to join the i-to-i community of dedicated volunteers aged 18-80 who are working on community development, building, teaching, and conservation projects across the globe. Together, we make a lasting impact that changes lives and helps preserve the planet through hundreds of worthwhile projects around the world.

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian and European Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ghana Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: Founded in 1994, i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 15,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 300 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994