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Ghana Summer Volunteer Program 2012 - 2013

Summer Volunteer Program in Ghana with weekend tours - Starts on 04th June 2012 and 02nd July 2012
 
The Summer Volunteer program in Ghana from Volunteering Solutions starts with an orientation and dinner. It covers informative session on the needs of local communities, language, currency, and how to be safe and street wise in Ghana. As a part of the Summer Program, you will have the opportunity to see famous sights such as Monkey Sanctuary, Kintampo Waterfalls and Mole National Park.
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Program Details & Itinerary - Week 1

 
Day 1 - Orientation and Welcome for the volunteers. Arrival will be at Kotoka International Airport, Accra. You will be met by Volunteering Solutions coordinators on arrival. Volunteers will need to arrive on day prior to the program start date. On the day of arrival , accommodation will be provided in a hotel or guest guest house in Accra.
 
Day 2 - Transfer to Project Location - On the second day, volunteers will be transferred to the project city , Tamale by air conditioned bus.After arrival in the evening, volunteers will be taken to their accommodations.
 
Day 3  - Local City tour and Project Introduction - Volunteering Solutions program coordinators will provide important information about the safety, culture and give a tour of the markets and the city to the volunteers.Volunteers will also be introduced to their respective projects and given their roles and duties.
 
Day 4 – 5 Continue with the Volunteer project work. Evenings are free to travel with other volunteers and explore the shopping markets.
 
Day 6 - 7 -  Visit to Traditional Ghanaian Village to witness local traditions and customs
Over the weekend, volunteers will be visiting the local villages surrounding Tamale to witness local traditions and customs.You will be meeting the local village chief, exchanging greetings and seeing their traditional way of living.During the evening the volunteers will be taking part in learning sessions with regards to the social activities in the village. These include drumming, cooking and language lessons. In the evenings, the villagers offer an entertainment program for the guests to watch and participate. Among others, there are options which include drumming and dancing with the whole village, or listening to a storyteller who narrates old animal fables around a bonfire.

Week 2

 
Day 1- 5 - Volunteer work at the Project
 
Volunteer Teaching in a school in Tamale - GhanaVolunteers will be involved in doing both skilled and unskilled work such as digging, mixing sand and cement, carrying rocks, sand and bricks, fetching water, and painting the school buildings. They will work together with local skilled people who will be providing free labour for the improvement of their communities. The volunteers will be working in hand with the local community members. 
 
Volunteers will also be given options to work in orphanage placement as well as Teaching project. At these projects, volunteer duties will include :
 
  1. Teaching the school going children and helping them to do their homework after school. 
  2. Keeping the children busy and organizing educational and recreational activities for them (games, art, music, etc.) 
  3. Helping with and monitoring the cleanliness of the children. 
  4. Teaching the children common courtesies, moral education etc. 
Day 6-7 - Weekend Tours
 
Volunteers at Mole National ParkVisit to Mole National Park - Largest Wildlife Refuge in Ghana: - Over the weekend , volunteers will be visiting Mole National Park which is located 135 km west of Tamale. While on the trip volunteers will be accompanied by the local coordinators.Mole National Park covers approximately 4,840 square km and is the largest and most prestigious protected area in Ghana under the aegis of the Wildlife Department. Mole National Park was the first Wildlife Protected Area to be established in Ghana.Mole National Park represents a fairly undisturbed guinea Savannah ecosystem dominated by open savannah woodland. The park has very rich flora and fauna. Over 93 species of mammals, about 400 species of birds, 9 amphibian, 33 reptilian and several insectivorous species and 5 endemic butterfly species have been recorded.

Week - 3 

 
Day 1- 4 - Volunteer work at the Project
 
Day 5 -  Visit to Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary and Kintampo Waterfalls.
 
Boaben-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary is a community based Sanctuary located at Boaben and Fiema a twin community in the Nkoranza district of Brong Ahafo Region. The sanctuary protects the headwaters of the streams that are consumed in the locality. It has a good number of the Black and White Colobus, Mona, spot nosed monkeys and a variety of birds. The monkeys in the reserve are regarded as the children of the gods of the community; therefore they are neither hunted nor killed. A system of traditional taboos and their community enforcement protected the monkeys for generations. 
 
Volunteers will also be visiting the famous Kintampo waterfalls on their way back to Accra.
 
Day 7 - On the last day of the week, volunteers will be taking their flights from Accra.

Program Fee

 
For 3 weeks program :  $805 per person / £ 560 per person
 
Please note: An application fee of $200 / £140 is charged over and above the program fee.

Start Date

The Summer Program starts on 4th June and 2nd July 2012. Volunteers need to arrive on the Saturday prior to the start date.
 

Program Costs

Volunteering Solutions strives hard to keep costs low and offers one of the most affordable volunteer abroad programs. Compare our prices and services to other organizations and you would be surprised to see the difference. 
 
USD GBP EUR
3 WeeksExtra Weeks
$805$100
Please Note: -An application fee of $200 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.
3 WeeksExtra Weeks
£564£70
Please Note: -An application fee of £140 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.
3 WeeksExtra Weeks
€644€80
Please Note: -An application fee of €160 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

    What are you Paying For ?

    • 24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
    • Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
    • Airport Pickup from Accra
    • First night hotel stay in Accra,if required
    • Transportation from Accra to project city by Bus
    • Orientation 
    • Food - 2 meals a day
    • Weekend Sightseeing Tours
    • Accommodation 
    • Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost) 

    What's NOT Included ?

    • Airfare
    • Vaccinations 
    • Local Transportation
    • Visa
    • Return Airport Drop(Can be arranged at an extra cost)

What are the Program locations in Ghana?

Volunteer projects are available in Tamale, capital of Northern Region.

Does Volunteering Solutions help with Visa?

Receiving a tourist visa for tourism purpose is the volunteer's responsibility. Volunteering Solutions strongly recommends all volunteers to apply and get a tourist visa before departing for Ghana. If needed, Volunteering Solutions do provide with written document which would help volunteers in getting the Visa.

When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Ghana?

We are able to offer placements on the first and third Monday of each month year round. Because of the increasing volume of applications, participants are requested to apply in advance to secure their spots.

How long does it take to process my application?

Once you have applied, we will send you details of your placement usually within 7-10 working days.

When do I need to arrive in Ghana for my program? What will happen once I arrive in Ghana?

All volunteers need to arrive one day before their program start date. Volunteers are picked up from the Kotoka International Airport in Accra by the local coordinator or representative. Those volunteers who are arriving overland or are already in Ghana will be picked up from the bus station or at a meeting point decided beforehand.

How do I get to the program location?

Your country coordinator will take you to your placement and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program/city/culture etc.

I want to know more about accommodation arrangements?

Volunteers will be staying with a standard Ghanaian Host family. Accommodation is either provided in an individual or shared room along with other volunteer. By staying with a family you will experience the local Ghanaian culture, language customs and traditions. All accommodations have running water and electricity available.

Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Ghana-based volunteer programs?

The only qualifications are: -
 
-- Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the beginning of the program
-- Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.
-- The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
-- Be in good health.

What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?

We recommend you speak to your doctor before coming. The following are recommended vaccinations: - 

  1. Yellow Fever
  2. Hepatitis A and B
  3. Typhoid

Are there more expenses once I arrive in Ghana?

Your program fee covers you for food, accommodation, airport pick up, Orientation, Pre departure information and in country staff support. You will need to cover yourself for your personal expenses, such as traveling, telephone, internet, shopping, sightseeing etc. However, you should carry around $50 per week for your basic personal expenses, such as water, local transport, phone etc.

Is there phone and internet available on projects?

Yes there is usually a phone at every placement we provide. However you will have to use Internet café’s to use Internet. It is strongly recommended that you carry a mobile phone while travelling to Ghana. You can get international roaming or can simply buy a local sim-card from the airport when you arrive.

What hours will I volunteer every day?

Volunteers usually work for 5 to 6 hours a day depending on their program. You will have weekend off so you can go to travel on weekends. However some organizations will need you to work on some Saturdays as well.

Where can I change my money in Ghana? Are there ATM’s in Ghana?

You can change money in any bank or at the airport by showing your passport. There are ATM's located all around the Tamale city. However, most of the ATM’s accepts only Visa cards.

Can couples or families join the volunteer program?

Yes, couples and families are welcome to join our programs. We make special provisions for families joining our volunteering programs; we will be able to provide them with program placements and accommodations together.

What will be the food arrangement?

The host family provides two or three meals per day. Depending on your host family you will be provided with two or three meals a day. Lunch and dinner will be rice, a bowl of soup, fried meat (chicken, beef. pork or fish) and a lot of vegetables. Ghanaian food is light and healthy and is not very spicy and hot.

Do I need to buy health insurance?

Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions. To buy insurance from Volunteering Solutions, please click here

What sorts of clothes are required for Ghana?

Lightweight clothing and rainwear is recommended. A pair of walking shoes and sleepers is highly recommended as well.

Do you recommend any cheap airlines flying into Ghana?

Cheap airline flying into Ghana is: -
 
KLM, Delta Airlines connects through major Asian airports or Australia or United Kingdom. People coming from USA or Canada can visit, http://www.kayak.com, http://www.orbitz.com

Alice Baxter (United Kingdom)
Alice Baxter-Summer Volunteer Program 2010 I loved every second of it. It took me a few days to get used to the work and the routine though. Fred and his friends helped me in every way in getting used to the culture and work. They have been great!..... read more
Valerie Wenc (USA)
Valerie Wenc-Summer Program I researched so many organizations before I chose VS and discovered that this is the most well organized , structured, accessible and affordable volunteering organization. I am so happy with my journey and have a whole new outlook on life!..... read more
Alberte Karmark Larsen (Denmark)
Alberte Karmark Larsen -Summer Program I absolutely loved staying at Tamale, Ghana. I felt safe at all times. the people I met were so wonderful and friendly. All the African charm in one city. Go to Ghana and you will want to come back...... read more
Saskia Sophie Wills (United Kingdom)
Saskia Sophie Wills-Summer Program I loved working at the high school, it was so encouraging to have children so eager to learn and the orphanage was very rewarding, I felt like I could make a difference and learnt a lot. I felt in good hands throughout my trip and I am already planning to use this company again!..... read more