Start Date: Year Round

Age:  18+

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

Language:  English (basic level)

Nationality Restrictions:  No restrictions.

Time Commitment:

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

Description

Coach basketball to young and enthusiastic players in Ghana, who do not have the opportunity to play and train in a structured environment.

Challenge yourself as you work on delivering new and fun coaching sessions for the children as well as organising basketball games and building lifelong friendships through sports. Basketball is said to be Ghana’s next up-and-coming sport event. There is an abundance of raw talent within the country and the Ghana Basketball Association has worked hard to implement an intricate training and development programmed.  Basketball placement will give interested participants the opportunity to access some of Ghana’s finest athletes and take part in their coaching and training. However, this is only one side of the game and you can choose how involved you want to be. A basketball placement will allow you to work with young and enthusiastic players on a more relaxed level where the emphasis is on fun and developing strong friendships. At this level, the placement is about building worthwhile relationships, rather than creating Ghana’s next big star.

Volunteer placement can be done in the big cities of Ghana as well as in the rural areas where volunteers will be living among the local families, gets to know their rich culture, food and make new friends.

Samba Basketball project is link to numerous number of local schools and league teams where there is a competitive, as well as a more relaxed, attitude towards the game.

Volunteer Activities

Coach basketball to disadvantaged children at a basketball club

Research and plan new, creative coaching methods

Develop personal skills like leadership, team building, planning, and motivating others.

Typical day

Volunteers will teach basketball in Ghana, from Monday to Friday for 6 hours per day. These hours can be split up in either the mornings or afternoons. Training could start as early as 6:00am for the morning sessions and 4:00pm for the afternoon sessions. However, these times could be varied depending on your requests and overall convenience for everyone involved.

Daily lessons will focus on enhancing the players’ fitness and improving their technical basketball skills.

In the evenings, you will return to your host families to get a taste of living like a Ghanaian. Share stories from your day with your host family and fellow volunteers, and chat about life in your home countries.

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.