Volunteer Placements in Ghana, West Africa

  Ghana

• Accra: 
Accra

Durations of Program: 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: Year-round

Description: The volunteer program allows participants to gain some work experience by volunteering their time to community projects, education, health centers, Aids testing, small-scale industries, public institutions or non-governmental organizations in Ghana.

Community Development Projects

    * Assist the Center Managers in carrying out day-to-day administration at the center
    * Teaching
    * Administration work
    * Facilitate/ Solicit Donor Support for Venture Capital Fund.
    * Common Need Research.
    * Educational Activities

Orphanages

There are many orphanages in Ghana. Volunteers and interns have contributed to the growth and quality services given by most orphanages in the country. Some activities they undertake are:

    * Helping to maintain children in the orphanage by giving them the necessary care and attention as their mothers would have given them. This can be done by feeding, bathing, and ensuring general cleanliness of the children
    * To supervise day to day activities of the inmates of the orphanage i.e., sweeping, bathing, washing dining in the morning afternoon and evening, fetching of water
    * Assist in maintaining the girls and boys dormitories clean, plan extra curriculum activities, physical education, music and culture, indoor and outdoor games, morning and evening studies, organize beach and farm trips, excursions etc.
    * Organize children for extra curriculum activities example sports and games etc.
    * Organize the children for extra-classes after school
    * Organize them for cultural activities such as singing, dancing, drumming etc.
    * Help prepare teaching and learning materials for the pre-school.
    * Teaching the children any subject that you will be interested in at the school
    * Teaching and hands on work, art, music, plays for 4 years up
    * Any other activities related to children

Ecotourism Projects

    * Helping Nursery Establishment
    * Organizing simple agronomic practices
    * Tree planting
    * Research
    * Establishment of seed banks for later distribution to other farmers.
    * Community work
    * Conservation projects
    * Education on conservation

Highlights: A peaceful and welcoming country with a stable democratic political environment, Ghana satisfies one's appetite for both modern and traditional life. Its wide valleys, low-lying coastal plains, and thick rainforests resound with the beat of traditional rituals, while her cities glow and vibrate with all the bustle of the modern world.

Ghanaians are the friendliest people in West Africa: warm, proud yet humble with a contagious and calming sense of humor. Just by observing life in Ghana, you will learn a great deal. If you make an effort to get closer to Ghanaians, they can teach you so many things. Take any opportunity that comes your way to see the real Ghana and learn the most about the people and the country .

Qualifications: Applicants must be:

* U.S., Canadian, Australian, or European Union citizens at least 18 years of age (Work & Travel Australia and Au Pair programs are only open to U.S. citizens)
* Native English speakers
* Able to provide references, proof of language proficiency, and other supporting documents if required
* In good health and covered by accident and sickness insurance (available if needed)
* Prepared to pay for transportation to and from the host country, visa processing fees, and all personal expenses while abroad

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18+

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

Scholarships are Available. InterExchange Foundation Grant awards are intended to defray the costs of transportation, participation fees, travel insurance, housing, and meals related to a work, internship, or volunteer abroad program. Recipients must submit a written report to InterExchange upon completion of their program, describing how the grant allowed them to gain international understanding through working abroad.

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Written Application

InterExchange's Mission Statement: InterExchange is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cultural awareness through a wide range of work & travel, language, teaching English, volunteer, professional training, internship and au pair programs within the United States & around the world. Our goal is to create affordable and exciting cultural exchange programs, each with an unparalleled level of support. We take great pride in the professionalism and service of our staff and work hard to ensure our programs provide a rewarding experience for all participants.