Swimming and Surfing Instructor

location
2 - 50 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Working in a local community, making impact like you are part of it.
  • Ensuring safety for the community by teaching them how to swim
  • Part of a family of dedicated Teach on the Beach members.

Highlights

  • Working in a local community, making impact like you are part of it.
  • Ensuring safety for the community by teaching them how to swim
  • Part of a family of dedicated Teach on the Beach members.
  • Working with different disciplines: we have construction work, an educational program and now this latest program; the safety and pleasure of the water


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples

    About the program

    Living on the coast makes it important that you can swim and play safely. We do our part with swimming and surfing lessons.

    Why Support Us?

    Over the past years, Teach on the Beach has been mainly focused on the academic development of its community kids and ensuring that less privileged kids are catered for in respect to their education and enrolment in school through scholarships. As we are growing and expanding our ...

    About the program

    Why Support Us?

    Over the past years, Teach on the Beach has been mainly focused on the academic development of its community kids and ensuring that less privileged kids are catered for in respect to their education and enrolment in school through scholarships. As we are growing and expanding our work, we realised there was the need to inculcate a swimming and surfing program into our work. The reason is that, there's been several deaths at the coast mainly because people are not trained to learn how to swim. Most people drown easily because they can't swim.
    So far in 2023, 4 people have drowned in the sea in the beautiful village of Busua. Being so close to the ocean, many locals rely on fishing and teaching surfing as a form of income, however, very little know basic water safety or swimming skills.

    What We've Done
    With the help of a former volunteer, Ellie Bunce, who has experience as a swimming teacher began using her skills to teach the students at Teach on the Beach basic survival skills in the water. This was made possible by hiring out a local pool to deliver swimming lessons.
    We have realised that most of the kids enjoy being in the water a lot and hence with this program, we are making education on swimming  accessible for children and to help them gain water safety skills as they live most of their lives on the beach.
    Moreover, this year we started having surfing lessons with the kids and it’s been very interesting to see the level of commitment from them. Our in-house assistant director is a qualified surf instructor. Benjamin Baba Haruna has been a surf instructor for the past 9 years and have participated in several surfing competition in Ghana and also provide support to local surfers in Ghana. 
    He has been giving free surf lessons and swimming lessons to children in Busua. Surfing has become popular in Ghana and most of all in Busua where it first began.

    Our Vision

    Since our project is in Busua, we believe as an educational NGO, we must do more aside working in the classroom and construction. We have the perfect opportunity to teach swimming and surfing lessons to children in the community and its surroundings. This way we are not only supporting them academically but also helping them to gain knowledge in the areas of swimming and surfing for self-development. They can become life-guards and surf instructors which can become a good job opportunity for them in Busua.

    Teach on the Beach wants to keep implementing swimming and surfing lessons as part of their program but we need your help!

    Your Tasks

    We need volunteers, experts in swimming, surfers, teachers/trainers to volunteer their time to help us educate the children in Busua and beyond.

     

     


    Typical day

    • You wake up and hear the ocean. Our chef will prepare breakfast for you and its ready at 8:00am. From the balcony you can see the coast and eat your breakfast in peace or eat together with other volunteers. The village is waking up, and you may already see the first surfers catching waves. Your day ...

    Typical day

    • You wake up and hear the ocean. Our chef will prepare breakfast for you and its ready at 8:00am. From the balcony you can see the coast and eat your breakfast in peace or eat together with other volunteers. The village is waking up, and you may already see the first surfers catching waves. Your day will be classified according to needs and possibilities, in consultation with us after your breakfast. Probably preparing a program and workshops for the swimming lessons and other fun activities to engage the children.
    • In the afternoon around 3:00pm the students come from school towards the building. This is the moment you’ll be very important to our children and educating them. Now you are the one in charge, of course with assistance from our side. You will work with them for two hours.
    • In the evening you are free to do whatever you would like to do. You can party or bonfire at the beach, but of course we would also love to welcome you joining our News Hour program. Other volunteers are teaching the children, and you can relax and watch the world news with the kids. 


    Free-time activities

    We can help you organize weekend trips to the nearest villages and other tourist places for an additional fee.

    • Besides Busua, our village is well known for great surfing. So we will make sure you can practice your surfing skills at one of the best surfing schools. 
    • Also we can hike to Butre, a ...

    Free-time activities

    We can help you organize weekend trips to the nearest villages and other tourist places for an additional fee.

    • Besides Busua, our village is well known for great surfing. So we will make sure you can practice your surfing skills at one of the best surfing schools. 
    • Also we can hike to Butre, a village nearby. 
    • Or visit Fort Metal Cross, also on walking distance. 
    In the evenings we sometimes have bonfires and nice music. So the perfect occassion to relax!


    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)

    Education Requirements

    Safety management, at University, High School level

    Nationality Restrictions

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

    Other Skills

    It is very important you really know how to respect the water and how to be safe in the water.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 11:00 - 15:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Teach on the Beach

    Program Fee includes:

    • Two meals a day from Monday-Friday 
    • Accommodation (a room at the Teach on the beach building, including running water, electricity &DSTV)
    • On-site experienced Director
    • Limited internet access: means, we do have internet possibilities but no WiFi. In Ghana it is possible to buy credit to use internet and bundle it. This is on your own cost, but works super well most of the time.

    Accommodation

    At this point we are building a new facility so we have limited dorm rooms available. 


    • Accommodation (a room at the Teach on the beach building, including running water, electricity & DSTV) 
    • We have bedrooms at our current facility (the famous green building at the beach). It could be possible you share the room with other volunteers if there are more volunteers around (male/female separate) There is a private shower and toilet.
    Please Note: Limited internet access means, we do have internet possibilities but no WiFi. In Ghana it is
    possible to buy credit to use internet and bundle it. This is on your own cost, but works super well most of the time.

    Food & Beverages


    • Two meals a day from Monday-Friday (Local food Some options: Pancakes, egg sandwich, milo, fresh seasonable fruit, red red with plantain, rice with stew, jollof rice, fried rice, banku, fufu, indomie, spaghetti.)

    We try to provide food for volunteers with special dietary requirement.

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Takoradi Airport

    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Takoradi Airport (TKD) in Takoradi. 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

    You are welcome throughout the year. Rainy season (june-sep) the ocean is more rough, so it can be more of a challenging to provide the surf lessons. Keep that in mind. 

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

    Program fees

    2 weeks (min. stay) 211€
    3 weeks 306€
    4 weeks 401€
    5 weeks 496€
    9 weeks 875€
    17 weeks 1,633€
    50 weeks (max. stay) 4,758€
    Average fees 100€/week

    Program fees

    100€ per week 2 - 50 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    2 - 50 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 Teach on the Beach during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Teach on the Beach

    Excellent 4.8 rating (30 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 2005

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Excellent response rate

    Coordinated by

    William

    Spoken languages: English

    About the project

    The organization provides education, love and basic necessities of life, food, clothing and shelter to those students that are in need in the village of Busua.

    Meet your organization

    Teach on Beach is currently 100% non-profit volunteer organization in Ghana, Africa. The organization provides education, love and basic necessities of life, food, clothing and shelter to those students that are in need. TOB international is a team of like-minded individuals with a common goal of equal education for all. We believe in empowering and inspiring youth in developing countries through education and cultural exchange.

     

    Teach on the Beach has worked with over 500 volunteers from around the world who are interested in working hard to make an impact in the lives of our students.  Volunteers will focus on teaching in only the After-School classes and the News Hour program. Volunteering at our local or private school in the community but this is also an option. Volunteer’s serve as a tool for social change in the fields of education, creative arts, music, dance and technology. We have managed volunteers from around the world and we will help you get the best service and support from our team members. We will help you connect with our students personally and make your experience in Ghana something you will never forget. We will help you every step of the way! “Live, love, experience, teach Ghana!”


    Who we are?

    In 2004 Aaron Adler and Alison Hannon met during a study abroad in Ghana. They shared a taste for adventure and need to get off campus and experience the West African country firsthand and meet its people, but their program didn’t offer them any opportunities to get off the beaten path.

    Just before they met, Alison had been invited by an organization called Madanfopa, ‘my good friend’ in Twi, to teach in a tiny little after school classroom. She braved a trek into the unknown slum of Madina, down dirt roads lined with shacks and trash, to find a group of children that had a real thirst for learning. She offered to bring Aaron with her, there were so many children and no one to teach them. Aaron accepted the chance to venture into the real Africa.

    Aaron and Ali bonded with a group of children from Madina and continued to teach them during their study abroad. While their study abroad would end, the two decided to return to Ghana, coordinating it so one of them, or someone else they had recruited to help teach, would be around to continue working with the children from Madina.

    In 2007 Aaron found a charitable organization to fund and expand their work. With the invaluable help of Mike Wagner, Aaron managed the construction of an orphanage/community center and a school north of Kumasi, Ghana’s second city. Aaron and Ali invited the students they taught in Madina to join them in Kumasi and for two years they all worked as a team to teach many more children. After school programs with junior high schoolers teaching primary students and our very successful NewsHour program were started during these two years.

    Unfortunately, after two years with this organization’s funding, it was inexplicable torn away from Aaron, Ali, Mike and the over 20 students to whom they extended scholarships and nurtured 24/7 like parents. Aankit Patel had joined the group as a volunteer as this happened. Together the team moved into Habitat for Humanity houses and continued running teaching programs in partnership with the local school, funding the student scholarships and other operations out of their own pockets.

    However due to the Ebola outbreak in 2014, the organization suffered a major setback in running and sustaining itself. A lot of challenges were faced by the organization both internally and externally.  The team and trained scholars have never given up their hope or vision of the organization. Their love for their people continues to grow and so does the reputation of Teach on the Beach! We are proud to say it is one of the top 10 places to volunteer in Ghana!

    What we do?

    It is important that we have an impact on different layers within the community. For that reason we focus on the future: the children. We ensure that children have access to education and resources to continue their school career. In addition, we take care of the children in our building by supporting them in basic needs such as love, food and drinks. A successful school career requires support on different levels. For example te children can do their homework with us and we try to give them the facilities and possibilities to do it succesfully. We also provide scholarships. 


    Where we work? 

    Busua (Ghana) is a beach resort and fishing village in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region in Ghana, about 30 kilometers west of the regional capital, Sekondi-Takoradi in the Gulf of Guinea. Busua is classified in the category of towns with more than 5,000 inhabitants, with a paved road from Sekondi to reach the town. The inhabitants speak the Akan language dialect Ahanta Busua fishing village is known for blue marlin and tuna fishery.

    Ghana is currently a very safe, stable country with relatively low crime levels compared to other West African countries. The risk of Malaria is high throughout the whole of Ghana. Because of the very high risk of malaria in Ghana antimalarials are advised.

     

    Our mission/vision:

    Like Nelson Mandela once said:“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” We believe this is what we have to do to make a change and impact lives.



    Our goals:

    Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) is our education goal. It aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

    Who are we looking for?

    we are looking for you if you:

     

    - are enthusiastic

    - be patient and decisive

    - have an affinity with education

    - are convinced that you can make an impact

    - you dare to take responsibility

    - you like to live on one of the most beautiful beaches in Ghana and join the community

     

    Why choose us?

    We know that there are many different organizations in (West) Africa that are committed to education. What distinguishes us from the rest is that we focus on solidarity with the entire community. In addition, all children come of their own free will, they want to be part of the ‘Teach on the Beach-family’ and are motivated to work on their future. We want to offer a good balance between learning and relaxation. For that reason we do not only focus on studying, but also on leisure activities such as yoga & sports and games. If you can reinforce this with us, we would like to welcome you to our team.

    Volunteers can expect quality assistance and help from directors and staff, ensuring safety, help them to have a great experience not only the classroom but also the community and Ghana at large. We are interested in use of multiple talents to inspire and organize fund raise in support of teaching and learning.


    30 reviews · rating4.8

    julien rivoiron rating5

    2024 at Swimming and Surfing Instructor

    it's been a really amazing experience at Teach on the beach. the whole team was truly amazing and welcoming. i had a really good time with the locals also. i really hope to see you soon and i will come to visit you again for sure. thanks to ...
    audrey Maurice rating5

    2024 at Swimming and Surfing Instructor

    Je suis allée à TOB en Janvier 2024. C’était une expérience très riche en émotion et incroyable, je suis vraiment heureuse d’avoir fait partie de la famille et j’espère pouvoir revenir ! ...
    ALVARO ALVAREZ PEREZ rating5

    2024 at Swimming and Surfing Instructor

    We recently had the opportunity to spend some time at Teach on the Beach and we can confidently say it was one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives. From the very first day, we felt welcomed by a team that is incredibly passionate and dedicated to their mission. The work they do here is ...
    Angelika Wall rating4.8

    2024 at Swimming and Surfing Instructor

    Working as a volunteer at Teach on the Beach was a very special experience. From day one, you felt at home and part of a big family. William was always available to answer questions and Cantona put a lot of effort into organizing the weekend trips. We were in Cape Coast and in the Floating Village ...
    María Eugenia Parodi Sabatte rating5

    2024 at Community House Construction Assistant

    When I decided to collaborate with TOB I was very excited but worried at the same time about what I might find. Now I can't be happier to have joined them, it has been a fantastic experience. The work it does in Busua has a real and significant impact on the community. I became fully aware of this ...
    Greta Luzie Kuhlmann rating4.4

    2024 at Teach and connect with Busua community

    Ich habe an dem Projekt Teach on the Beach für drei Monate teilgenommen. Ich habe wirklich jeden Tag genossen und hätte mir kein besseres Projekt vorstellen können. Es hat mir super viel Spaß gemacht die Kinder zu unterrichten. Aber auch alle Mitarbeiter vom Haus sind super lieb und hilfsbereit. ..

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