Project details

The Ghana projects each provide their own set of challenges, but all have the potential to be very rewarding.  As they are all based in schools of some sort, volunteers spend a lot of their time dealing with children.

Schools
If you decided to volunteer in a Ghanaian school, your responsibilities will include working with both primary and secondary age pupils across a variety of subjects. Volunteers are encouraged to teach English and any subject they are more familiar and confident with. Volunteers are also encouraged to support other areas such as, (English includes literacy) maths, French, environmental studies, sports, music, art and craft, etc.  Volunteers also help organise some extra-curricular activities. Many past volunteers have been inventive and championed such activities as the development of teaching materials for the use of the school; organisation and implementation of classes in sex education and HIV/AIDs; set up of special needs classes for small group of learners and organised drama clubs.

Schools / Caring
These projects give volunteers the opportunity to help in orphanages or nursery departments at local schools.  A typical day might involve some limited teaching, playing with the children and organising activities.  Many of the children will be quite young, so experience of working with younger age groups is beneficial. Most schools that Lattitude have placements with in Ghana have a crèche section.

Is it for me?

Locations
All Lattitude placements are located along the south coast between the capital, Accra and a medium sized town called Takoradi,  There are frequent bus services between the two cities, so volunteers shouldn’t have any trouble getting about.  Some of the projects are based in rural communities, but all have good transport links and access to amenities.

Accommodation
This can be fairly basic and will be located either in or near to your institution.  Facilities vary between placements, but in most cases food will be provided for you by the host organisation.  Be warned, though, Ghanaian food can be very spicy, but there’s plenty of delicious fruit around to top up your diet.

Qualities / Skills
In Ghana, people are naturally very outgoing and friendly, so it’s important to be willing to reciprocate.  Although English is widely spoken in the country, a willingness to embrace and try the local language is also desirable.  As facilities and accommodation can be a fairly basic, it’s also important to be ready to adapt to your surroundings.  Finally, many of the placements involve helping children, so experience of working with young people is a bonus.

PREREQS

MINIMUM AGE: 18

DEPARTS: Sept / Feb

LENGTH: 5 Months

WHAT'S INCLUDED 

• Interview (face-to-face or
   by phone)
• Pre-departure briefing
• Teaching Skills Course
• Food & accommodation
• Airport pickup
• In-country Orientation
• In-country support
• 24/7 emergency support
 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER 

•  Return airfare

• Travel insurance

• VISA

• Police check

• Additional travel money