Start Date: Year Round

Age:  18+

Skills:  No skills, but those who are Passionate about the work

Language:  English (basic level)

Nationality Restrictions:  No restrictions.

Time Commitment:

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

High­lights

Stay with other volunteers in a rural setting

Discover Ghana’s incredible natural beauty and wildlife

Make positive and lasting impacts on a rural Ghanaian community

Make memories and new pictures you will never forget

Description

Working in community development is perhaps one of the most in-demand, challenging, and diverse volunteer opportunities available on a global scale today. What could be more rewarding than immersing oneself in a new culture and empowering communities by helping them achieve the awareness necessary to have greater control over their environment?  Community development breaks down into many different categories, but is generally defined as social groups of people working together towards a common goal to build a stronger community.

Community Development projects offer a variety of opportunities for international volunteers that are often unique to the location they are set in but the shared purpose is to improve the circumstances of local communities. The work is often quite mixed and requires initiative to get projects off the ground as well as interaction with different groups of people.

Samba community development volunteer programs seek to empower individuals and groups of people by providing them with the skills they need to affect change in their own communities. Samba Ghana works with local communities around Ghana for upliftment of the society.

Volunteer Activities

Responsibilities includes working in schools, contributing to Construction and renovation work, taking part in health awareness programs, water hygiene efforts amongst others

Volunteers will help improve infrastructure throughout communities, focusing on children’s homes, clinics, community centers, toilet facilities, and schools.

Volunteer tasks will include painting, brick laying, plastering, digging, block shaping, carpentry, steel bending, mortar mixing, and much more.

Work is carried out on weekdays and participants can visit tour attraction centers during weekends

The day starts early with breakfast in the Volunteer home, Host Family, then off to work at your project. They tend to start early so as to make the most of the cooler times of the day and then in the hotter afternoons the time is used to plan for the next day and logistics resupply etc.
Depending on your experience, needs and background, you will be allocated to a project that suits Volunteer. Each volunteer has the opportunity to talk to Daniel, the Project Coordinator before they start their placement. He will ensure that you have a clear understanding of the needs of the projects and that you are fully prepared for your program and life in Ghana.
The buildings are usually made from Sand blocks, mud bricks that are produced by using a press, some mud and water, and then left to harden in the sun.

Additional Info

After the participants arrive, there will be a Program orientation (of at least 2 days)

Program Orientation takes place the day after arrival day. It includes introduction to Ghana, introduction to the work program, and introduction to the living and working environment.

Transportation costs during orientation are covered by SAVO, culture, lifestyle of the people, food, safety measures etc.

Introduction to Ghana: The following areas are covered: communication, transportation, safety, travel opportunities, the culture of Ghana, survival language, health matters, socially accepted behaviours, and work ethics in Ghana.

Introduction to the work program (including the expectations of the institution and the host project) for volunteer/internship program participants.

Introduction to the Living and Working Environment: The participants will be shown how to take bus from home to work place, to town, to the nearest supermarket, to the nearest internet cyber, to the nearest ATM, etc.

The participants will be given a print out of the completed program detail form (including 24/7 hotline for support, work place address, work phone number, typical duties at work, host family address, host family phone number, useful contacts and other program details).

Free-time activities

Weekends, are free days to volunteers. You may choose to travel out of town to see the many interesting sights and sounds in other parts of Ghana or hang out with your fellow volunteer(s) and/or locals in the neighbourhood. (At their own expenses)

Weekend trips available include visits to Mole National Park in the Northern Region of Ghana. This National Park offers a great Safari-like experience and is one of the biggest Elephant Sanctuaries in Africa with the chance to spot Lions, Leopards & Antelopes in their natural habitat.
Volunteers can also take a trip to Cape Coast in the Central Region of Ghana to relax in the beautiful beaches and see the famous Cape Coast castle, the Kakum Canopy walkway and Elmina castle, where slave trade begun.

Programs Fee

What’s Included?

Airport pickup upon arrival

Hotel and meals in Accra upon arrival, before transfer to project site

Transportation to project site first day

Accommodation

Utilities

Meals – Breakfast, lunch and super.

Certificate

Info on Airport Pickup at Kotoka International

On the day (or night) of your arrival, SAMBA AFRICA VOLUNTEERING (SAVO) staffs will be at the Accra Kotoka International airport to welcome you and transfer you to a hotel with air-conditioned rooms and restaurant only in the night of your arrival, Orientation and transportation to your assigned placement will be done the next morning following your arrival day but arrival in day time you will be transported to your destination (Kumasi).

Accommodation

Accommodation belongs to the host-families. There are always other people in the house as well; and they would be willing to give you some assistance. You would be placed in the same location with another volunteer – unless you specifically state that you like to be stayed alone. Participants coming as couple or pair will not be placed with other volunteers in the same bedroom. Volunteer have their separate room – with a lock and key. It is advisable to come along with mosquitoes nets.

Bedroom (Double)                                                  Bedroom (Single)

Bungalow                                                                 Guest Family

Food & Beverages

Host families will provide volunteers with breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

Breakfast is usually ready by around 7am; however volunteer can eat later if you prefer to get up late. Lunch is usually packed by your host family in a lunch box so that you can eat at your project if you wish. Dinner is usually served around 6pm.

If you have special eating needs, you can inform us. Even though special eating needs are not something we can guarantee, we will do our best to meet your needs.

What’s NOT included?

Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations, Internet are NOT included in the program fees.

Airport

Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ghana.

Travel Insurance

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

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.