Hope for the Future Clinic Building, Ghana

  Ghana

• Accra: 
Accra

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: May 9-June

Description: I'm excited to share an amazing volunteering opportunity in Ghana, Africa from May 9th - June 13th, 2008! We are looking for a group of about 10 people to volunteer at a building project set about three hours from Accra, the capital city. This provides an amazing opportunity to work with a non-profit organization, experience Ghana's phenomenal culture, people, and geography, and explore the country on weekends.

Yingor Development Foundation is a non-profit organizaton that strives to help with community development, HIV education and civic education projects.
Through a series of programs in which they visit different communities, they work hard to educate as many people as possible in these areas.

"Hope 4 Future" is designed to be a clinic for HIV/AIDS testing and counseling. The aim is to not only provide free testing services, but hold educational classes as well. It is the belief at Yingor that the younger generations of Ghanaians need to be better equipped to fight HIV/AIDS, and therefore Yingor plans to help them by educating the youth and encouraging them to get tested.

Your main job as a volunteer will be to build part of the Hope 4 Future clinic. Tasks may include: assisting with the clearing of the land, pouring the foundation, producing bricks (It really depends at what point theproject is at). You may also have an opportunity to do small health promotion projects on the side. We will have knowledgeable individuals supervising and directing the building. All that is required of you is you willingness to work, positive attitude, patience and a reliable work ethic.

A team of Volunteer Abroad employees both in Canada and Ghana will give support both before and during the stay in Ghana. The program cost is $1995, which includes an orientation week, lodging, food, in-country and preparation support, fundraising ideas, pre-departure manual, and airport reception. Airfare, visas, medical vaccinations, and insurance is not included; however, the pre-departure manual will go through what is required in terms of visa and vaccinations.

There are also other programs available at different times and during different dates. Please ask!

Highlights: Your main job as a volunteer will be to build part of the Hope 4 Future clinic. Tasks may include: assisting with the clearing of the land, pouring the foundation, producing bricks (It really depends at what point the project is at). You may also have an opportunity to do small health promotion projects on the side. We will have knowledgeable individuals supervising and directing the building. All that is required of you is you willingness to work, positive attitude, patience and a reliable work ethic.

We found that most opportunities for international volunteers fall into five categories. These categories allow you to clearly determine where your skills would be best utilized or where your interests are best met. Keep in mind that though skills are important, a sincere willingness to learn and work is often all that is required to make a valuable contribution.

Health and medical placements provide volunteers the opportunity to work in small local health clinics or bigger hospitals in the city. Teach at an inner-city school or in remote villages teaching English, math, computers, environmental education, HIV awareness training, art and physical education. Conservation placements allow volunteers to work in National parks or with wildlife conservation efforts. Volunteers can assist in orphanages, in day care centres, in youth at risk programs or in one of our many social programs that focus on women and children. Building programs provide opportunity for volunteers to build homes, hospitals, clinics, schools or libraries.

Qualifications: We believe everyone can contribute by volunteering. Recent graduates from high school, college or university, professionals taking a career break, recent retirees, individuals or groups who are interested in a change and the chance to enrich their own life and the lives of others. If you are 18 years or older you can apply for any of the placements available. If you are from 16-18 years old you may apply for placements near our Volunteer Abroad Office and Residence, so that we are able to give you more support.

Cost in US$: 1995

You will have access to 24 hr emergency support and in-country western and local staff. You will also have accommodation and meals covered for your entire stay.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 16-65

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ghana Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Resume
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad

Volunteer Abroad's Mission Statement: We believe international volunteering promotes cross-cultural learning that helps create global awareness, understanding between cultures and provides the platform for positive change. Our volunteers have taught in schools, provided disaster relief support for the International Red Cross, conducted essential research to improve the management strategies of threatened environments, built homes for impoverished people, provided vocational training and programs for street kids and have worked in co-operation with hundreds of local organizations to distribute aid and improve the quality of life for people throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Year Founded: 1998