About The Placement
We run a grassroots NGO operating at two bases within Ghana. Our flagship site based in the Abetifi district, on the Kwahu mountains in the Eastern Region. Our newest site is at Cape Three Points overlooking the beach within the Western Region. Our programs include Education, Sports, Community Development, Environmental Protection and Conservation.
You will work hand in hand overseeing our international volunteer team and our working alongside our local coordinators to ensure the weeks scheduling is efficiently planned, the relevant logistics setup in place and logging of impact goals and targets to achieve a smooth and meaningful week for all.
Why This Placement?
In addition to our local support team, we like to have an international volunteer as part of the support team to help bridge two cultures together and ensure both local counterparts and volunteer team feel represented and understood. We pride ourselves on working directly with members of the local community so liaising with these counterparts is a critical part of the role. Ensuring that workloads are setup in advance in an impactful manner.
What Is Included In This Placement?
This program includes;
- First 1 month volunteering at our core programs (Education, Sports, Conservation, Environmental etc)
- Accommodation in shared volunteer house.
- Welcome orientation and breakfast.
- Local support team
How Do I Get To The Placement?
Our volunteering project sits are spread across the Abetifi district. You will join the volunteers in getting local taxis to the project sites - this can cost 20 to 60 cedi per day depending on location of site. For example on planting days with reforestation, this is a further distance to Kotoso whereas a normal Education/Sports day would be a shorter trip from Aduamoah to Abetifi. Time spent at the Cape 3 Points site there will be no transport cost as it's within walking distance.
What Will I Be Doing?
For your first 1 month, you will join the rest of the volunteer team on our tasks so that you get trained up in the relevant fields and have a strong understanding of the various projects that we run. To ensure a fair spread, it can vary depending on the tasks needed at the specific time of year however you would spend the week split across Education (Tutoring sessions or class support, Sports (PE lessons or overseeing the football academy), Reforestation (Upkeep of the nursery/Planting dependant on time of year), Community Development (Renovation, Community Farmer Support), Environmental (Plastics Recycling) & Conseration (sea turtle beach patrols).
After your initial training/experience month, you will then help the coordinator team as a supporting role.
On a morning, you will ensure the volunteer team set off to their project sites smoothly and spend the days on site with them at project. Ensuring that the days run smoothly and we're achieving as impactful time as possible.
After project you will then help arrange the weekly activities for example; team meetings, weekly planners, 1 to 1 check ins, team building nights and reporting. When time allows, you will also help with introduction chats before a volunteer arrives to Ghana.
Who Will I Be Working With?
You will work hand in hand with our local coordinators and support team. A member of our support team lives in the volunteer accommodation too so there is always someone closeby should you need support or guidance.
What Do We Expect From The Volunteers?
For this role we require;
- Outgoing and positive attitude
- Ability to work with a variety of different nationalities and cultures
- Empathy and strong communication skills
- Ability to embrace a different culture and understand differences in timekeeping, social values etc.
- Ability to produce basic documents and reporting
- Regular access to a smart phone, tablet or laptop
What Can You Expect From Us?
We
will be on hand any time of any day to support you in your placement
and trip as a whole. There will always be someone you can speak to or
get a hold of should you want to discuss anything or require any
guidance, from organising extra activities in your free time to guidance on your work duties. Our team living in the volunteer house will also be able
to offer advice regarding travel plans and the local area so you will
soon feel at home.
What Should I Bring?
You will receive a more detailed packing list when booked onto the program however a basic packing list can be found below:
- Selection of lightweight clothes. Both long and short sleeves. As a member of the support team you will be required to dress appropriately when at project especially when visiting the school sites or local communities offices. Think summer smart casual rather than vest tops or short shorts. You will also appreciate having some clothes you don't mind getting messed up when painting or on reforestation projects in the forest. Most people also appreciate bringing some nicer clothing options to wear on evenings or when travelling at weekends.
- Sandals and a sturdy pair of trainers or boots for when in the fields for farming, reforestation or hikes in your free time.
- Ghana guidebook is useful for travel inspiration and weekend trips.
- You may wish to bring social games or activities, boardgames, movies etc for when spending the free time with your fellow volunteers.
What Happens During School Holidays?
As the school holidays will not directly affect this placement you will be entitled to normal annual leave with the other foundation staff however exceptions can be made if you wish to travel with the other volunteers for long weekends etc.
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