Save Larabanga in Rural Northern Ghana

  Ghana

Rural Areas

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: First Session: June 18 - July 6; Second Session: July 9 - 26

Description: Larabanga village is a Muslim community which is home to about 4,000 people, the majority of which are children. Historically, education in Larabanga has been poor due to the fact that education was provided to this part of Africa by Christian missionaries and since Larabanga was already a Muslim community, missionaries couldnt come to convert the people or thought the people wouldn't accept them. As a result the village suffered a lot. It is also the reason Larabanga didnt have a formal school for a long time. That is until the early 1960s, when Alhaji Mbemah from Larabanga thought it wise to challenge the idea that Larabanga people didn't want a school because of religious reasons.

In 1962, the first school was built in Larabanga. Most of the teachers at that time were Christian and because there were no churches in Larabanga, no teachers wanted to stay in Larabanga. Therefore, the school was not successful until 1992, when the Larabanga Development Community (LDC) was formed and spearheaded by the Salia brothers, Hussein and Al-hassan. LDC started development projects in Larabanga and the surrounding villages around mole National Park to uplift the community by providing social amenities, namely water projects, schooling, community education, and wildlife conservation education; promoting good relations between the communities and staff of Mole National Park; and improving attractions in the area to promote tourism. Since 1995, eco-tourism developments, such as the construction of Larabanga Visitor Information Center, have acted to maximize the economic benefits of the local people. LDC is now called Bambenninye Development Services (BCS), meaning "Those alive will benefit."

The present school of Larabanga now includes Primary Six (for children ages 7-12 years) to Junior Secondary School (12-16 years) and is administered as a public school under Ghana Education Service (GES). However there is still a lack of teachers. We, as concerned citizens, are trying to enhance the efforts of GES and help alleviate these teacher problems in the schools. Thus, volunteer teachers to the school are very necessary, not only for Larabanga, but for some of the other communities surrounding Larabanga and Mole National Park. Class work taught includes basic coursework and the writing and speaking of English (the local languages are Kamara and Gonja). In addition to the development of the school, Bambenninye development services, an NGO have developed a learning centre at the Larabanga community library. This development also includes day care facilities.

Beyond the need for school teachers, there are many other projects that are community run and are in need of volunteers. The community library is in need of a librarian and a person to introduce and help children to learn. Volunteers are needed to launch and direct micro-enterprises in the villages by organizing and facilitating workshops for capacity building. Enterprises could include the production of arts and crafts and shea butter in order to sell them, and the revival of ancient Zuoyeri culture practices, such as nyegbari (special drumming and dancing performed during important funerals) and dogor (ancient spiritual drumming and dancing). A knowledgeable volunteer is needed to educate the community regarding wildlife conservation. Everyone is welcome to take part in all of these projects. That is, teachers are invited to do things outside of teaching, if desired.

Short-term volunteers will camp at the Savannah Lodge. The camp will include traditional housing, built with log ceilings similar in construction to that of the ancient Larabanga Mosque. If there are many volunteers at one time housing may be shared. Mattresses/bedding is provided, along with the option to move your mattress on the flat roof to sleep under the stars. The short-term volunteers contribution to the project includes payment of $50 (US) per week, which will be used to enable our organization to accommodate the volunteer, feed him or her daily with basic, local food (such as dishes consisting of yams, corn, cassava, and meat or vegetable stews), and to be able to organize the materials needed for development project. Meals other than those made with foods grown and cooked locally would need to be purchased by the volunteer. All volunteers will be personally received from Kotoka International Airport in the capital of Ghana, by one of the Salia brothers ; Al-hassan or Hussein. There is also a one-time fee of approximately $30 (US), which covers a one-night hotel stay in Accra and transportation costs to Larabanga. Volunteers should bring their own mosquito nets.

Long-term volunteers will be given private housing. The long-term volunteer's contribution to these projects includes payment less than that of a short-term volunteer, and includes meals and accommodation and also somebody from the project to attend to them as necessary (cooking, laundry and cleaning). Exact costs would be determined based on the length of stay and what type of program the volunteer chooses.

Because this is a purely local, community initiated project, it is unfortunate that we are not yet in a position to pay for things such as plane tickets, medical insurance, and other travel related costs. Volunteers need to organize such items by themselves.

Our motto is "Dani suma nikanyiti" which means "With good intentions and patience you shall achieve your aim." We believe that a volunteer can be greatly enriched from the cultural exchange she/he would experience living and helping in our community.

Please feel free to contact us if you have further questions. We hope to hear from you again and get to know you in Larabanga sometime soon.

Highlights: There will be a registration fee of fifty dollars per week. This money will be used for food, accommodation and purchasing of the construction materials necessary for the projects. Keep in mind that you will need a tourist/volunteer visa to enter the country. We anticipate that our friends around the globe, as we call this program the "Build Global Village Project", will try and take part or if not, try to also create awareness in their own way to make the project a success. If you cannot take part yourself, encouraging others to get involved or even making a donation would be of great assistance. The project is divided into two sessions: The first session will run from 18th of June until 6th of July, and the second will run from the 9th of July until the 26th. Each session costs one hundred and fifty US Dollars and lasts approximately 3 weeks. Volunteers are welcome for either or both of the sessions. In order to be part of the project you must register before the starting date of the session that you are interested in participating in.

Raising local community members in one hand and international volunteers in another, we are striving to create a unique opportunity for the local and international community that will be culturally enhancing for both parties. We look forward to seeing you this summer!

Qualifications: Willingness to help.

Salary / Pay: Volunteer position. Private housing, accomodations at Salia Brothers Guest House, or homestay can be provided through the Larabanga Visitor Information Center. Low costs meals can be arranged.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.