Volunteer Ghana: Accra

We at Travel to Teach have wanted for a long time to expand our volunteer programs to areas within Africa. When a partnering organisation asked if we would like to work with them in Ghana, we at Travel to Teach jumped at the chance.

Accra is today a melting pot of several Ghanaians and other "foreign cultures." It is home to virtually anyone who identifies himself or herself with the city. That, in itself, is the bottom-line of traditional Ga heritage. The population of the Gas is relatively small. But today the whole city is filled with people from all walks of life.

The city of Accra has been Ghana's capital since 1877, it boasts fine public buildings reflecting its transition from a 19th century suburb of Victoriaburg to the modern metropolis it is today.

Volunteer Projects in Accra

Orphanages

There are many orphanages and foster homes within Accra and the surrounding areas. These orphanages and foster homes vary in size. Some have between fifteen and twenty children whilst others house over a hundred and fifty children. The ages of these children range from newborn babies to eighteen year old teenagers.

Our volunteers have the opportunity to care, support, and offer guidance to these children as most of these orphanages and foster homes struggle to give adequate attention and care, especially to the babies.

Health Care Work and Medical Clinics

Our healthcare and medical programs are a fantastic opportunity for anyone who is experienced, or who wishes to gain experience within the medical field. These programs are also suitable for medical students who wish to do a semester or more for academic credits.

Our volunteers have the opportunity to shadow doctors and nurses and also interact with fellow medical students within the hospitals in Accra.

Volunteers can also help in the following areas:

• Helping in the consulting room
• Shadowing fellow doctors in routine observations and medical practices
• Maternal and childcare
• Physiotherapy
• Helping in the dispensary
• Theatre and outpatient department

Teaching

Our volunteers have the opportunity to participate in teaching and assisting with the education and development of Ghana's young people.

By volunteering here, you will have a chance to make an important contribution to Ghana and you will also gain first hand experience of the country and its culture that will stay with you for the rest of your life. You have the choice of working in a primary (5-13yrs), Junior Secondary (13-16) or Secondary School (16-18yrs).

The schools will vary in their facilities, but generally consist of a few classrooms with wooden desks and a blackboard, so there are lots of opportunities for you to be creative in your role and make the lessons memorable for the children!

Special Needs Schools

The schools set up for children with disabilities are also in need of volunteers who can help support the children and develop their skills, coordination, and also provide much love and care. The various organisations and schools cater for both children and adults with mental and physical disabilities, including a school for the deaf.

There can be between thirty to over 130 members, depending on the scheme. Volunteers will be responsible for developing the full potential of each individual and to help them lead more productive and rewarding lives in Africa. You may be involved in specific workshops to help train young adults, in particular work areas so that they can also earn an income from their crafts. You can help teach the younger children in classes, to try to eventually integrate them into the normal schooling system.

HIV/AIDS Projects

According to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation 2005 HIV & AIDS foundation report, an estimated 350,000 people live with HIV/AIDS in Ghana. Due to this shocking number, education regarding the risks of HIV and AIDs to Children and Adults in Ghana is crucial.

Volunteers who choose to take part in the HIV and AIDS project will travel from school to school and will help educate children and work alongside them and also embark on educating the public. Training for young adults to be peer educators, provide support and counseling for victims through home visitation, and workshops is also an invaluable exercise.

We believe that HIV/AIDS victims need to be given the right information about their sexuality so as to avoid practices that lead to the further spreading of HIV / AIDS within their communities.

General Accra Info

Where Will I Stay?

Travel to Teach volunteers stay with local host families within the residential suburb district of East Cantonment and Labone. Volunteers have their own room and are able to use all the facilities within the home. The accommodation is more than comfortable with single beds, washing machines, western toilets, electric hot water showers and all modern amenities.

Food

Our volunteers will receive 2 meals a day (Breakfast and Dinner) at their home stay accommodation. Should volunteers want to eat out then there are local restaurants and eateries which charge just little under one US dollar for a meal.

Weather

Ghana has a tropical equatorial climate, which means that it’s hot all year-round with seasonal rains. In the humid southern coastal region, the rainy seasons are from April to June, and during September and October; the dry months, November to March or July and August, are easier for travelling. Throughout the year, maximum temperatures are around 30°C, dropping three or four degrees during the brief respite between rainy seasons. The humidity is constantly high, at about 80%.

Free Time

Being situated on the Atlantic coast Accra has a plethora of white sandy beaches, the most popular being Coco beach, which is situated only a few miles away from the city center. Volunteers can choose to top up their tans at the weekends or to peruse the many markets where they are sure to pick up a bargain or two with some great gifts to take home as souvenirs such as a wide selection of beads, carvings or batik.

Accra is also famous for its nightlife, it hosts numerous bars and drinking spots but its real highlight is the dance clubs which fuse western dance music with traditional African dancing and music.

For the culture vultures among us there is the impressive National Museum of Ghana which is situated in Accra’s center. With it’s large amount of fascinating exhibits that are a part of the country's historical past that range from pre-historic archaeological discoveries, to colonial antiquities and exhibits of contemporary African art, it really is a must see.

Where Is?/ Getting To Accra

Accra is the capital of Ghana and it’s largest city. It is lies on the Gulf of Guinea about 400 miles (640 km) north of the Equator and near the prime meridian (0º longitude).

Our volunteers will be met at Accra airport and taken to their home-stay accommodation.

Volunteers should arrange for their flights to arrive into Accra in-between the hours of 8.30pm and 10.30pm. If for some reason your flight is delayed then our coordinators will meet you the next day due to curfew laws.

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