Volunteer Abroad: Ghana Western Region Orphanage Assistance HIV Awareness, Teaching, Medical Dental Program

http://www.abroaderview.org

236 Glen Place Elkins Park, Pennsylvania 19027 United States

Call Us

Phone: Phone US: 1-215-780-1845 Toll Free: 1-(866)-423-3258 UK phone: (020) 8123-9781 AU phone: (02) 8003-6807

Fax: 12158870915

Description

* Children Orphanage Assistance:
The children come from a variety of situations including loss of one or both parents, physical and sexual abuse, extreme poverty, and more suffering than many of us can imagine. Many of these children have been denied the chance at an education as well as the basics for survival-food and shelter. The orphanages we support strive to provide a better future for some of the most vulnerable children in Ghana by providing love, food and informal education. As a volunteer, you will primarily assist with the daily care of the kids; including feeding babies, playing games, teaching songs, reading activities, creating arts & crafts projects and sharing your affection and attention with these wonderful children. Many volunteers also get involved in repairs and painting as the facilities are in constant need of upkeep. Prior experience not necessary, volunteers should demonstrate patience, an open mind and a sense of compassion. Come prepared with ideas and be a creative self-starter who can handle situations where schedules do not exist.

* HIV/AIDS Awareness and Care:
Ghana, like all of Africa has been hit hard by the HIV epidemic. Volunteers work with a local organization that provides HIV/AIDS education and support to rural communities around the Western Region. The project is to advocate for women, children and families in the fight against preventable diseases as well as mobilizing communities, strengthening their capacity and using their own resources for acceptable and sustainable projects. The organization's key areas of focus are: HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support, and reproductive health. Some of the activities for this program include: Visit local schools to promoting safe sex and HIV prevention, assist with local workshops, awareness programs and support session, and help create woman empowerment projects for surviving widows of the community. Experience in this field is not required. Volunteers with a strong interest in making a difference are welcome.

* Teaching Program:
Volunteers have the opportunity to make a lasting difference in Ghanaian rural communities through education. Based on government decree, all children have the right to free, compulsory, universal basic education on all levels. We offer placement in pre-school, primary and secondary schools teaching math, science, geography, business education, computer training, English, art and music. The objective of this program is to contribute to the academic development of the Ghanaian school in order to provide the best opportunity for sustainable quality education. Volunteers are not required to have teaching experience, but need to be resourceful and take initiative as materials are sometimes scarce. Ability to plan and be self-motivated is important, as often you will not have direct supervision. Due to the school schedule, placements are available beginning of January until the end of March, beginning of May until the end of July, beginning of September until mid-December. Minimum two week program suggested.

* Medical and Dental Care:
Health care volunteer placements are open to medical professionals including doctors, dentists, nurses and EMTs. This program is also open to nursing and medical students in all medical fields. As a medical volunteer you will work with local staff in support of the health care efforts. There is a wide variety of cases but disease such as malaria, HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and syphilis, as well as childbirth/maternity needs are most common. Volunteers with medical training participate in direct patient care such as diagnosing, injections, IV starts and lab work. Nursing and medical students are welcome and assist with tasks like dressing wounds, record and immunization chart keeping, helping dispense medications, helping to screen and organize patients and assisting with administrative needs or seminars. *Medical volunteers must submit a copy of their credentials or nursing certificate, or university/medical school letter verifying enrollment.

Program Includes:

Airport arrival transfer, first night accommodation in Accra with orientation. Transportation to volunteer project with ABV staff. Volunteers stay with a local host family, or can live at the orphanage. Meals included daily. 24/7 hour support by the project coordinator. Departure transfer back to Accra at the end of the program.

Highlights

The Western Region of Ghana is the gateway into some of the most unspoiled lands of West Africa. This region offers a striking contrast between colonial times and the present. This region is dominated by rural villages, lush green hills and includes some of the most fertile land in Ghana. The inland economy of the region is largely linked to agricultural production and it is common to see roads lined with rubber and cocoa plantations farms. Along the coastal towns there are a large number of castles and forts built in the 1500s by the early European traders. These forts overlook what is considered by some to be the best beaches in Ghana, including Busea and Dixcove.

Life in the rural communities can be quite difficult with limited access to health, paved roads, education and other everyday facilities like clean water, electricity and sanitation. There is a great need for health care professionals, teachers and child care assistance throughout the rural communities in Western Ghana. Our volunteer projects are located in Agona Nkwanta, the capital of the Ahanta District, near the famed Cape Three Points.

The busy market town of Agona Nkwanta is about 4-5 hours from Kotoka International Airport in Accra.

Our programs provide you the chance to discover the wonders of rural Ghana, while doing meaningful and rewarding community service work. This is a great opportunity to explore life in rural Africa, live and work amongst the locals and realize one person can make a difference.

Qualifications

- Proactive: Jump in and maintain a positive attitude.
- Patient: Life in your host country moves slower than one might be used to. Relax and enjoy the slow pace. Remember, not everything is as organized and predictable as life in the US or UK.
- Flexible: Plans change, roads get flooded, and electricity goes out. Realize that not everything goes as planned, but good intention is always there.
- Considerate: Respect those around you and be a reliable worker at the program site. Tell your host family if you will be late. Advise the Project Coordinator if you are sick and can not work.
- Respectful: Remember that the local people you are working with, side by side, do so with little or no salary. They do this work because they believe in it. There are times when you may not agree with or understand the organizations decisions or direction. Although your suggestions are always welcome, your faith, respect and consideration for their long term work and commitment is appreciated.
- Friendly: In order to truly help someone you must get to know them. Do not be afraid to make friends with the local people. Smile, wave and see how fast you are welcomed into the community.
- Tolerant: The food, the culture, the smells and the sounds will be unfamiliar to you at first. We recommend that you dive in and experience life head-on. You will be surprised at how quickly you will adapt.

Languages

English

Cost in US$:

820 - Check Our Website for updates

Cost Include Description:

- Pre-departure Orientation Guide. Includes detailed travel, safety and cultural information and many tips that will make your trip planning easier.
- Detailed Fundraising Guide that will help you raise the funds needed to travel, as well as provide donations to the project. Ask us about a Widget
- Accommodations: Home stay, shared volunteer residence, guesthouses. Safe, clean, comfortable local housing, inspected by our local coordinators.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Special meals at request.
- Airport meet and greet by our ABV project coordinator (At any time, any day!)
- First night hotel accommodation *some programs
- Guidance and support of a local project coordinator, 24/7 in case of emergency
- Orientation/city briefing on arrival by our ABV project coordinator.
- Placement in a quality project, allowing you to maximize your time and efforts in a good cause.
- Transportation to project site with our ABV project coordinator. Includes introduction to local staff and community members with whom you will be working with.
- Volunteer Program: Half day (4 hours only) Spanish refresher Lesson. Part of volunteer orientation on arrival. (*Some countries)
- Departure transfer by our ABV project coordinator.
- A Feedback page on our ABV website with pictures of your trip.
- The Presidents Volunteer Service Award lapel pin (Bronze, Silver or Gold)
- Personalized Presidents Volunteer Service Award certificate of achievement.
- Letter of completion from A Broader View Volunteers Corp -- By request, A Letter of Recommendation provided by the local organization detailing the activities developed by the volunteer during his or her stay.

Credit Available

no

Volunteer Types

Academic Reinforcement
Agriculture
AIDS
Building Maintenance
Building/construction Projects
Childcare/children
Community Centers
Community Health
Conservation
Culture
Digging
Education
Elderly
English Teaching
Environment
Fixing Fences

Food
Gardening
Grassroots Organization
Handicapped
Health
Health Care
Health Education
Hospital
Human Rights
Income-generation
Nursing
Organic Farming
Orphans
Painting
Planting
Popular Education

Primary Education
Professional Services
Public Education
Recreation
Renovation
Repairs
Sanitation
Secondary Education
Social Services, Social Work
Street Kids
Teaching
Tree Planting
Volunteering
Water
Women
Youth

Age Range

18 to 65

This Program is open to

American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, Worldwide Participant. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

Dormitory
Group living
Home-stays

Participants Travel to Ghana

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

Online Application plus Application Assessment
Resume
Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

24-48 hours

A Broader View Volunteers Corp's Mission Statement

Decided to create an affordable, safe and worthy program so that anyone who wished to travel and volunteer - could easily afford to do so.

Year Founded

2007

Boomers Abroad

Program Photos

Program Videos

Ghana Western Region Orphanage Assistance HIV Awareness, Teaching, Medical Dental Program