Gap Year Expeditions, Global Volunteering & Conservation Projects – Greenforce

Live and work in the lively capital of Ghana - Accra! Here you will get the chance to work with young Ghanian children to help improve their education and bring a bit of creativity to the classroom!

Your role will be to offer inspiring and exciting lessons that will improve the literacy, numeracy, and communication skills of your class. Help with issues such as lesson planning, discipline and cultural courtesies will be available from a number of sources, including school teachers, the in-country staff and other volunteers. However, it is important to remember that your role is intended to be as independent and self-supported as possible. This will enable you to develop greater self-confidence in your own organisational skills. In addition to regular class-teaching, you will be encouraged to introduce your own ideas and get involved with extra-curricular activities which might include art and design, drama, music, sport or the production of a school newspaper. Above all, we want to give you the flexibility to decide how you can best contribute to the school environment and education in Ghana.

Essentials

Ghanaian schools are structured in three main levels and operate under the Ghana education service. They include the Nursery/primary schools, the Junior High School and the Senior High School. Our main focus is on the primary and the junior high schools level as its an area that needs more help in volunteer activities. Under the primary school division, you will have the opportunity to teach basic Maths and English, and sometimes History to help them better their English speaking / writing and expression and also to enlighten them on some of the important history.

With the senior side, the level of teaching and learning skills are a bit higher and that has made more provision for broader and additional subjects. The current syllabus include Maths, English language, Integrated Science, Social Studies, IT, Religious and Moral Studies, Pre- Technical skills, Foreign Language, Pre-vocational Skills and Art and Design. Extra curriculum activities will also be available to get involved in. There are countless opportunities to take advantage of and you will leave your school having had a truly eye-opening experience.

Equipment Donation.
As part of our development package to the community, part of your fees goes into providing related equipment needed for placement. These equipments are left behind as that forms part of sustaining development in the community. Cash donations are made sometimes when there are sufficient equipment already.

Flights

Please book your flight to arrive into Kotoka International Airport (airport code ACC) on the advertised arrival date to ensure your airport pickup.

Accommodation
The accommodation is basic but comfortable and you will stay in room or two’s or three’s sometimes.  The accommodation is also centrally located to the placements. Shops and other useful amenities are either a short walk or taxi ride away.

What's included?

• A Meet Your Team briefing day and BBQ in central London.
• Being met at the airport by a staff member and airport drop off.
• All meals and accommodation during your stay. .
• Orientation

• 24/7 local support and back up by from the UK

• Social Activities

Points to note:
• On receipt of deposit, you’ll receive a Welcome e-mail with access to your personal page.
• We give you helpful advice about equipment, recommended flights, insurance and more.
• You will gain access to your very own personal website that allows you to input information and also has valuable information about fundraising, vaccinations and country information.
• A staff member is in the region all year round.
• International phone cards are available at all towns and cities throughout Thailand.

Country Information

Social Life in Ghana
There are a lot of things to do when it comes to social life in Ghana. Even though the placement forms the core of the reason of your trip, we have also made provision for you to relax and enjoy the fun and excitement Ghana has got to offer when it comes to social life. In-country staff will organise regular social activities/events for you. These usually include weekend always to bring volunteers together to share ideas and to know more about each other, sporting activities, night outs in Accra etc.

Travel and Adventure in Ghana
You will get the opportunity to take some time off placement to do your own travelling in Ghana at your own free time to visit some of the amazing places and sites Ghana has got. Accra the capital has got few interesting places you can visit including the art and cultural centre which showcases the rich culture of Ghana’s products such as drums, crafts, beads, the Kwame Nkrumah Museum ( first president of Ghana) etc etc. Also prepare yourself for some African drumming and dancing as you will have the opportunity to visit places to experience and learn the true culture of Ghanaian Dancing. bars and restaurants that provide authentic African live music and dancing. And, if you fancy a football experience to remember, then prepare yourself for watching Hearts of Oak at the National Stadium where the locals wave flags, blow horns and dance on the roofs of the terraces! 

There are countless places beyond Accra that you might want to visit. Why not visit the Lake Volta (the biggest man-made lake in Africa) or you might want to visit the history-laden slave castles of Cape Coast and Elmina. You may want to take a walk on the wild side with the elephants at Mole National Park or spot tropical birds in the rainforest canopy at Kakum National Park. Then there is the 60-metre-high Wli waterfalls, the Buabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary (where monkeys are preserved as 'sacred' creatures!) and the endless palm-tree beaches lining the Atlantic coastline! The captivating places, intriguing people and diverse landscapes will make Ghana one of the most enlightening experiences a traveller could wish for.

Spending Money

Even though you will be provided with food and accommodation in-country, you will need money to conduct your own travelling and for other social events we organise. There will be plenty of things to do. Depending on the duration of your stay, we recommend a budget of £30-£40 a week.

Currency: Ghana Cedi
Symbol: GHC
Exchange Rate (approx.): $1.00 = GHC 1.40/ £1.00= GHC 1.90

Visa

Travellers to Ghana (outside the West African region (ECOWAS)) need to acquire Visas to enter Ghana. This includes travellers from Europe and the USA. You are required to arrange your own visa before departure - either a Holiday or Visitors Visa. This can be done by applying in your country. Visit the Ghanaian Visa section on the address below if you are applying from the UK. It is important to contact the nearest Ghanaian embassy or High Commission for your visa which normally takes a week or two to process. The Ghanaian High Commission can be located at:

UK:
Passports & Immigration
104 Highgate Hill London
N6 5HE
Tel: 020 8342 7580

The cost of Visas may vary. Pricing is available from the Ghanaian embassy or High commission in your area.

Maps

Itinerary

Upon arrival to Accra, you will be met by our staff, who will then take you to the accommodation. After your orientation, which involves learning about the cultural side of Ghana you will then learn about your program and be introduced to your school. After this you can expect to work Monday-Friday; 4-6 hours a day. There may be occasional work at weekends generally weekends are free for personal time and travel. Please be aware that some public holidays may cause some disruption to placement times / days during your trip.

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