from 789€

Brilliant 4.7rating (201)

Community Construction Support

location
1 - 20 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Assist local workers with construction and renovation efforts projects
  • Develop your teamwork and skills through hands on activity
  • Depending on skill level, you can get hands on in cutting materials and building walls/roofs, etc, as well as painting and brightening up the buildings
  • Work on projects, such as pitch flattening, local schools, community centres and sanitation facilites
  • Work alongside local skilled workers, who will guide you through the process

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

Help improve the infrastructure and increase the standard of living in small communities of Ghana. Assist local skilled workers with vital construction & repairs.

Help and assist locals on community construction projects, which are all selected by the community needs at the time. There are a variety of ongoing projects, that will keep changing once each is completed. Education and sanitation are of a high priority of the work needed, but there are also plenty ...

About the program

Help and assist locals on community construction projects, which are all selected by the community needs at the time. There are a variety of ongoing projects, that will keep changing once each is completed. Education and sanitation are of a high priority of the work needed, but there are also plenty of opportunities for volunteers to work on recreational projects, such as pitch flattening and community centres. These centres are the hub of the community.

You will join a team of other volunteers and locals, in which you will work closely together, using teamwork to get the project completed. The Ghanaian workers are skilled and know how to use the local materials, so they will guide you through the process and teach you everything you need to know on the trade. You will be supervised to ensure the construction is done quickly and efficiently. Since the projects vary, so do the tasks, but all will require a certain amount of physical work. Some days can be strenuous, but the reward you get at the end is 100% worth it. All of the volunteers on this project should be of reasonable physical fitness but you will not be asked to do anything that you feel you cannot do. Working outside, amongst a collaborative team, all working for the end goal can be a truly rewarding experience.

*Please be advised that you will be responsible for your daily transportation costs to and from your program. This could range from 2.50 to 4.40 USD each day.

Location
Accra is the capital and largest city in Ghana, with a population of over two million. Accra stretches along the Ghanaian Atlantic coast and extends north. Our accommodation is located in Teshie, a coastal suburban town on the east side of Accra. It is a quickly growing suburb that’s getting bigger and bigger every day. Teshie is rich in its diversity and has its own train station for easy transport.

Typical day

Volunteering will be 4-6 hours each day.
Monday
  • Breakfast
  • Introduction
  • Lunch
  • Introduction
  • Dinner
Tuesday to Friday
  • Breakfast
  • Working at one of the building projects
  • Lunch
  • Working at one of the building projects
  • Dinner
This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions ...

Typical day

Volunteering will be 4-6 hours each day.
Monday
  • Breakfast
  • Introduction
  • Lunch
  • Introduction
  • Dinner
Tuesday to Friday
  • Breakfast
  • Working at one of the building projects
  • Lunch
  • Working at one of the building projects
  • Dinner
This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
*Schedule possible to change due to the project and community needs at the time. Volunteer flexibility and adaptability is important to a positive volunteering experience. 


Free-time activities

Cape Coast
Cape Coast in Ghana has a colonial history, being the site at which many slaves were shipped over to the America’s. Michelle Obama is believed to have roots traced back here and herself and Barak Obama unveiled a plaque in their visit in 2009. Cape Cost is a fishing town, with a fort to ...

Free-time activities

Cape Coast
Cape Coast in Ghana has a colonial history, being the site at which many slaves were shipped over to the America’s. Michelle Obama is believed to have roots traced back here and herself and Barak Obama unveiled a plaque in their visit in 2009. Cape Cost is a fishing town, with a fort to look around and with an artsy vibe in the town centre. Many travellers use this location as a base to travel on to Kakum National Park.

Kakum National Park
Kakum National Park is a coastal rainforest covering an area of 357 kilometres. There are 40 species of monkey, 200 bird species and over 500 species of butterflies. The park is one of the most visited attractions in Ghana, with spectacular scenery and canopy walk for visitors.

Lake Volta
Lake Volta is a picturesque man-made lake, just North from Accra. The building of the Akosombo Dam resulted in lake Volta being formed. You can take a boat tour across the lake or even try kayaking over it.

Elmina Castle
Elmina Castle is situated in the Cape Coast region of Ghana and it has a dark past. During the height of the slave trade around 33,00 slaves were held here, before being shipped off and out of Ghana. Slaves were kept captive and tortured at Elmina Castle, which was built by the Portuguese. You can visit here with a guided tour, that will give you a better understanding of Ghana’s past history.

Manhyia Palace
Built by the British in 1925, Manhyia Palace was made to welcome back the ruler of the Asante state, after many years of banishment from the country. Rooms are still set up as they would have looked at the time, and you can book guided tours and watch a video presentation, explaining the palaces history. The small museum holds displays showing old royal objects, clothing, furniture and photographs.

National Museum of Ghana
The National Museum has been open since 1957 and has three main display areas; art, archaeology and ethnography. The museum is located in Accra and has some interesting exhibits displaying Ghanaian culture and history.

Accra Mall
This is where you can go for all your shopping and clothing needs. Accra mall is a large shopping centre that has clothes shops, a supermarket, restaurants and a cinema.

Bojo Beach
A great day trip from the city is Bojo beach, a large scenic beach, just 5 kilometres from Accra. Getting to the beach requires hopping on to a small boat over a small patch of water. Once here, you can relax and dine at one of the beach cafes. You can also try water sports such as jet skiing!

Aburi Botanical Gardens
Set amongst 160 acres, the beautiful Aburi Botanical Gardens are defiantly worth a visit, particularly for nature lovers. Situated around a 45 minute drive out of Accra, the gardens have a cooler climate and provide a peaceful escape from the city.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Required Documents

Yellow Fever vaccine

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Involvement Volunteers IVI

Accommodation
3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
1 day orientation
In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
Fundraising support
University course credits (where applicable)
Certificate of Completion

Airport Pickup at Kotoka International Airport

Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.

A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Kotaka International Airport (ACC). You must arrive between the hours 06:00 - 24:00 on Saturday or Sunday. If arriving during the pickup times on the Saturday, we charge an additional fee for the extra night’s accommodation.

If arriving outside the pickup times, we charge an additional fee for any extra night’s accommodation and for a private transfer.

Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).

From the airport to the Accra accommodation it takes 30 minutes by car.

Accommodation

Your accommodation in Ghana is situated at our volunteer centre in Accra. The accommodation is located within a gated community. Rooms are generally dorm rooms, with separate bedrooms for male and female. Volunteer projects are situated around 20 to 40 minutes away and you will be responsible for your own transportation costs to and from the project. Staff will be on site at the accommodation 7 days a week to assist with anything you need.

Your accommodation is close by any amenities you need, the closest shops are within a 15-20-minute walk. ATM machine is 15 minutes away by taxi. Restaurants and bars are a 20-minute taxi ride away.
*Accommodation may be in our local centre or in close proximity, depending on availability and time of year.

Food & Beverages

Your meals will be Ghanaian dishes mixed with Western style food, served at your accommodation. Typical Ghanaian food include rice dishes, beans, fruits, vegetables, chicken, beef and fish. They are typically stews and soups.

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ghana. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Ghana provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Ghana you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Ghana. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

Program starts every Monday. Arrivals on Sat/ Sun. If arriving on Sat, an extra night is charged.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 789€
2 weeks 906€
3 weeks 1,135€
4 weeks 1,388€
8 weeks 2,465€
12 weeks 3,342€
20 weeks (max. stay) 5,696€
Average fees 536€/week

Program fees

536€ per week 1 - 20 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

1 - 20 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Involvement Volunteers IVI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Involvement Volunteers IVI

Brilliant 4.7 rating (201 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 1989

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Lauren

Spoken languages: English

About the project

IVI are a non profit org with 28 years experience providing responsible volunteer placements in 15 countries worldwide. We help you connect with inspiring opportunities

Meet your organization

Involvement Volunteers International delivers positive social change to developing communities and vulnerable populations through local, national & international volunteering.  Our projects empower the skilled & un-skilled to catalyse the efforts of local partners in creating a better world.


WHO WE ARE

Founded in 1989, IVI is a pioneer of overseas volunteering.  Back when there was no internet and phones were a luxury in many parts of the world, we traveled to developing countries in search of credible NGO's in need of manpower and global volunteer resources.  Some of the many relationships we forged are utilized to this day. 

We are passionate about volunteering and giving back to society and in particular developing communities which are less fortunate than us.  In this way, we combine travelling with volunteering to help people make a positive impact overseas.

SOCIAL EXPERIENCES
All of IVI’s projects have a strong social element at the core.  With more manpower (& womanpower!) we can truly catalyse the efforts of our local partners.  This means you're sure to meet loads of like-minded people from all parts of the world.   This type of experience truly broadens your understanding of the world and yourself, opening your heart to new enlightened ways of thinking .   With your new found travel companions, you'll have plenty of opportunity to explore and have fun!  

Our projects create a unique platform to experience the true heart and soul of a destination rather than simply the tourist areas.   We'll involve you in meaningful & responsible volunteer work that really benefits the local communities.

AFFORDABLE VOLUNTEER TRAVEL
As a non profit org, we are not motivated by shareholder profits.  Our fee structure is fully transparent to ensure volunteers hard earned money is going directly to the areas where it is most needed.  It is vitally important to us that the presence of volunteers has a positive and sustainable impact on the local communities we work with.   

We charge a one off US$275 application fee per volunteer to cover the running of IVI including administration overheads, project inspection costs, marketing, and salaries.

The program fee starts at $150 p/week and goes straight to the in country management to cover arrival airport transfers, on the ground coordination, orientation, accommodation, meals, in country 24/7 project support, project development, donations and related administration costs.   

In comparison to many of our competitors, our programs are incredible value.

SAFETY & RESPONSIBLE PROGRAMS
With approx 80-90% of our volunteers being single young female travelers, volunteer safety is of the utmost importance.  All of our projects include a dedicated 24/7 in-country management support contact as well as a dedicated placement manager pre/post journey.  This ensures you will be cared for every step of the way.    The local teams are highly experienced and qualified to manage emergency situations.

All IVI projects have been personally inspected to ensure the standards meet necessary guidelines for quality and safety.  In addition, we monitor and maintain communication with local embassies to oversee potential issues in order to notify volunteers and their families accordingly.   

Our Australian team are available 24/7 and only a phone call away.

Our responsibility also extends to the local people which is why volunteers working in childcare related fields must provide a criminal background check before they travel.   Our ultimate goal is the long term development of the communities we work with, hence we work closely with our local partners to ensure that projects are needs driven and sustainable. 

SUPPORT

From your very first inquiry, right through to your welcome home, you'll have the same dedicated volunteer manager at every stage.  We are experts in the field and will provide you in depth insights about what to expect and how to prepare to ensure you have an amazing experience overseas.  Every project includes a detailed welcome pack which provides all aspects needed such as in country contacts, what to pack, cultural values, basic language guides and much much more.   

On arrival at your destination, you'll be greeted by one of our in-country team and in many cases 1 week orientation is provided to help ease you into the way of life and ensure you're equipped with the right customs to ensure a successful volunteer abroad experience.  

FUN!
Volunteering abroad is quite possibly the most rewarding experience you will have in your life!   We know this not only through our own experiences, but through the testimonies from thousands of volunteers we have successfully placed worldwide over 27+ years in operation.  Volunteering overseas is not only rewarding.   It's fun!   You're meeting new people, you're seeing new sights, and you're expanding your understanding of yourself and the world.  You're experiencing something real and life changing in many ways...  

GET INVOLVED WITH IVI TODAY!

201 reviews · rating4.7

What a fantastic trip. Getting the opportunity to live in a village for a week was so incredibly special, and all of our hosts quickly became like family. The work itself was challenging at times but very rewarding, and I felt like we were making a difference within the communities that we worked ...
The team of us who were placed in Moala were instantly taken in by the family we were living and were made to feel part of the family. I am grateful for this experience, for the people I met and for the wonderful people who cared for us throughout the 2 weeks. This trip has inspired me to pursue ...
What an incredible experience to be able to live in amongst the island community, fully immersed in village life. I really really enjoyed my stay and it was so amazing to explore the island in my free time. In the classroom, it was mostly helping kids one on one with the work assigned by the ...
I am so blessed to have been lead by amazing dietician and naturopathic professionals who have inspired what I hope to be in this field one day. Words and pictures could never capture how life changing this experience was, and what beautiful souls these people hold. Pictures also don’t capture how ...
There were so many highlights to this trip! However the one that stood out the most was living in Moala village for one week. The team of us who were placed in Moala were instantly taken in by the family we were living and were made to feel part of the family. The people we visited in Moala, Yako ...
hannah rupp rating5

2024 at Primary Teaching Support

I had such a great time in Zanzibar. The accommodation is really good, it’s clean, you have a very sweet balcony and the bedrooms are good. Also the roommates and coordinators are were really nice 🥰 I really enjoyed my time at the school and I loved to work with the kids 🥰 I made so many ...

Location


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Contact Lauren
  Excellent response rate
English

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