Put a spark in the lives of vulnerable children at an orphanage in Ghana and help out to the diligent local staff. Turn out to be the children’s friend, mentor and carer as you make an important contribution to their daily life.
The orphanages where volunteers are place are basic, under resourced and in need of volunteers backing. Not all children at the orphanages have lost their parents, some are taken into care as their parents cannot afford to look after them and others arrive from abusive homes. Like so many developing nations, Ghana has a large number of children who find themselves in the care of an orphanage.
You will work alongside local staff to help out with teaching the children, general childcare and the daily outfitted running of the orphanage. Providing the children with the necessary skills in life will help them on their way to thriving futures free from poverty and filled with the same opportunities as others. As a volunteer you will turn out to be a big sister or brother to the children. The children will have their food and accommodation provided for them, but with limited staff resources, it is individual attention that the little ones yearn for so much. OGVO also encourage volunteers to instigate their own activities by organising structured activities and games for the children.
OGVO volunteers are placed across the ten regions of Ghana including Kumasi Children’s Home – in the Ashanti Region. The Kumasi Children’s Home was established in 1965 by a private organisation and later turned out to be a government run organisation. The home accepts street children, children of unstable parents and abandoned children. They even occasionally care for children whose families are traveling. Many of the children arrive at a very young age, as their mothers die at childbirth and have no one to glance after them.
The home is now run and supervised mainly by the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) and their supervisor is a government employee. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) provides a substantial amount of grant each year, and additional support comes from cash and in-kind donations from private citizens and organisations. However, the government pays the wages of most of the workers; much of the home’s grant still comes from other sources. The children stay at the home for varying lengths of time depending on their situation.
Experience of working with children is not necessary but it does help. Working in an orphanage will require heaps of patience and a real sense of self-direction. This role is perfect for someone with a big heart and who has the craving to do something meaningful with their time abroad. Your level of impact is based on your willingness to get involved and make the most of your time.
Children’s rights and the methods of discipline used often greatly differ from what is the norm in the Western World. This can be quite shocking, but it is important to remember that physical discipline is ordinary throughout Ghana. It is very important that volunteers join this program with an open mind and understanding of cultural variations. While maltreatment of children is never condoned volunteers should be aware that physical discipline does happen in Ghana. Our team will concise you on these matters during your in-country orientation, with the intention that you are entirely geared up for your placement.
Highlights
- Earn international volunteering experience working with children at an
orphanage or a community in Ghana.
- Share stories with orphans and act as mentors to them.
- Guide children in acquiring a variety of skills, such as household chores and proper diet and hygiene.
- Improve you understanding of the world
- Live and work in Ghana for a few weeks to a few months and immerse in the
local culture.
Qualifications
There are no special qualifications needed for a person to become a volunteer in an orphanage but you should have passion, enthusiasm and care for children. Most of all, applicants must have the willingness to share their time and space as well as to show their compassion, patience and flexibility.
Location of OGVO Volunteer/Intern Programs
We have volunteer and intern work placements in both urban and rural areas in Ghana including Accra, Koforidua, Kumasi, Cape Coast, Kwamoso, Salt Pond,Swedru,Tepa, Boaben-Fiema, Bibiani, Boako, Wassa Akropong, Wale Wale, Mampong, Asafo, Buduburam, and many more.
Start Dates and Durations
We pride ourselves for our flexibility. Volunteers or interns can arrive any day of the year with advanced notice. You can volunteer or intern for periods of 1 week to 6 months. Extension can be arranged with advanced notice as well.
OGVO Program Prices
Our fees are extremely affordable as compare to other organisations. Our program fee starts as small as US $250. Program fees mainly help us cover the variable costs, such as food, accommodation, airport pick-up, placement, program orientation, etc. Program fees vary according to the length of your program. To see program fees and what it covers, please click here.
ACCOMMODATION
All accommodation with a Ghana home-stay family is included. Rooms are private and have all the basic furnishings you could expect, including running water, electricity & clean bathrooms. The home-stay families have been specially chosen by OGVO and have hosted many volunteers over the course of several years. Our home-stay families form some of the most memorable parts of Volunteer/Intern Programs and provide amazing insight into traditional Ghana life, as well as creating friendships that last a lifetime.
MEALS
Three meals a day are provided by the home-stay families and consist mainly of traditional Ghanaian meals with some flexibility for home comforts when available. If you have special eating needs, you can indicate that while applying. Even though special eating needs are not something we can guarantee, we will do our best to meet your needs.
Working days and hours
You will work 5 days a week, leaving you two free days (Saturday & Sunday) to explore the area. You'll work around 4 to 9 hours per day.
FREE TIME
During weekends Volunteers/Interns have the opportunity to visit all that Ghana has to offer. 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.
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