Volunteer Projects in Ghana for Community Development

Under the community development volunteer program in Ghana, volunteers have the option to work for several different projects. A day to day work for the volunteers under this program would include;

• On weekday mornings, volunteers work in the Girl's Education Project or in local schools in the village. 
• Volunteers assist the Ghanaian teachers by working with small groups of students on their English and math skills. 
• Volunteers who are willing to do some physical work can assist in the construction project for the school building. 
• Volunteers work along with local villagers and can do the painting or renovation work in the school building.
• Volunteers working for the healthcare program aim to educate villagers about prevention, symptoms, and treatment of various diseases; especially for children. 
• Through the Water Project, volunteers assist with education programs in 15 villages, to inform villagers of issues surrounding their water supply, including diseases and treating water properly.

Volunteering Solutions provide accommodation in Tamale with a local host family. The schedule for the volunteers remains as follows;

• Saturday - Arrival at Accra 
• Sunday - Transfer to Tamale + showing around the accommodation neighborhood 
• Monday - Orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, covering topic areas; such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behavior, food, and other suggestion over things to do in Ghana.
• Tuesday to Fri - Volunteer work 
• Breakfast - 06:00 am onwards (provided at the accommodation)
• Working hours at the placement - 07:00 am to 01:00 pm and 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
• Lunch - 02:00 pm to 03:00 pm (volunteers need to manage lunch on their own)
• Dinner - 06:30 pm to 07:30 pm (provided at the accommodation)

The same volunteer work schedule continues from the second week onwards 

Weekends - Free to explore the city and take short excursions trip to some of the best hotspots in and around Tamale, such as; Mole National Park, Monkey Sanctuary, Kintampo Falls. Learn about their elaborate festivals, the local cuisine comprising of Banku and Fufu - Ghana's most famous dishes, their colorful dresses, and the music and dances.

Note: Please note, the schedule may vary depending on the particular project the volunteer is participating on.

Volunteering Solutions strives to provide best of the living and other arrangements to its volunteers. Like we keep saying, just pack your bags and arrive at your placement destination. From your airport pickup, stay, meals, weekend tours and other nitty gritties, VolSol manages everything for you.

Airport Transfer

You will be met by our representative at Kotoka International Airport in Accra from where you are transferred to your project location. Volunteers will stay overnight in Accra at hotel accommodation provided by Volunteering Solutions and travel to Tamale the next day. For those volunteers who are arriving in Accra in the morning, you can also take a connecting flight to Tamale directly from Accra. You will be met at Tamale airport and transferred to your accommodation in that case.

Accommodation

Volunteers will be staying at a standard Ghanaian volunteer homestay managed by the local program coordinator. In case space is not available in the volunteer home, you will be accommodated with a 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. There are separate rooms for male and female volunteers with shared toilet facilities. Participants should note that living is of basic standard and you should not expect luxuries. Power cuts are common in Ghana and most rural houses do not have running water during times of drought. Bedding is provided, however volunteers need to bring their own towels and mosquito nets (these can also be purchased in Ghana). Air conditioning is available in the volunteer house and the participants need to pay extra charge to avail the facility in country.

Orientation

An orientation and briefing session will be provided by your local coordinator. Areas like culture, safety, locations, transportation are covered in the Orientation. After your orientation is over, you will be introduced to your project and also given a tour of the local market and town of Tamale.

Meals

Volunteers are provided with 2 meals (breakfast and dinner) at the host family house. Ghanaian cuisine consists primarily of starches, soups, beans, meat and fish. The Starches consist mainly of rice and doughy balls made from mashed cassava, plantain or yams.  Famous Ghanaian dishes include Banku and Fufu.

During your Free Time

On the weekends you can head out to explore places such as Mole National Park and Monkey Sanctuary. Volunteers also visit Paga to visit Crocodile Park or further south to Cape Coast to enjoy the beaches. On weekdays, participants have free time in the evenings and spend time relaxing at their accommodation or socializing with other volunteers and the local people.