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The Global Volunteer Network currently has opportunities to help in the areas of community peace education cells and community school projects in rural Ghana.
In this program we work with a humanitarian non governmental organization dedicated to the well being of vulnerable people in West Africa. The purpose of a Peace Village is to help strengthen trust and friendship within and between local communities. In this project, volunteers are called to work in the village of Aboansan, an underprivileged community that is home to over 300 people. The project’s long-term plan is to establish a school and community action center which will include a health clinic, vocational skills-training center, guesthouse, and community meeting space for peace and conflict resolution training. Initial funding has been secured and work is in its first phase with teaching and peace groups established, and construction starting on the school.
As none of these projects are full-time volunteers participate in a flexible schedule which includes some or all activities offered by the program.
Program Location
The program is located in the village of Aboansan, with a population of less than 1500 people. Aboansan is near the township of Awutu Bereku, in the Awutu-Senya District in the Central Region of Ghana, about 40km west of Accra.
The Programs
Community School and Peace Cells Program
Volunteers have the opportunity to work in the areas of community peace education cells, teaching, and grassroots organisation development. As the projects are not full-time volunteers take part in a flexible schedule which includes some or all activities offered.
Peace Cells Program
Peace education cells encourage non-violent conflict-resolution training, and facilitate dialogue and reconciliation between competing priorities within and between the family group, neighbourhoods and communities. Cell discussions are based on topics that villagers feel are affecting them, such as domestic violence, tolerance and intolerance, and women's empowerment. The conflict-resolution training includes anger management strategies, cause of and solution to tribal prejudice and hatred, practical pathways to forgiveness and reconciliation, basic mediation and negotiation strategies to use in relationships and neighbourhoods, and causes and solutions to domestic violence.
Volunteer opportunities include assisting in mobilising and organising villagers into cell groups, helping to facilitate community cell discussions, contributing to topics discussed, and helping to take notes and prepare reports from discussions to track the success of talks. This role is suitable for a mature, caring, motivated and self-directed person who is interested in conflict resolution, relationship counselling and/or related work and life experience.
Community School Program
Volunteers assist local teachers in preparing weekly lesson plans, teaching students and organizing sports activities for children three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). Volunteer teaching opportunities include providing literacy, numeracy, peace education, and creative activities, such as drama, dance and art, to children aged 3 to 9 years. Volunteers may also assist in fundraising and planning for the construction of a new school, and in an agricultural project. There may also be opportunities to implement your own ideas and projects.
This role is suitable for a caring, motivated, and self-directed person. A teaching qualification is not required but volunteers need to be confident in the above subjects and preferably have or are studying towards a university degree.
Please note, as most teaching materials will not be available volunteers are requested to bring or purchase in Ghana any items they wish to use in their work.
(Please note the above may change depending on the current need of the community).
About Ghana
About Ghana
Full country name: Republic of Ghana
Area: 239,460 sq km
Population: 23 million
Capital city: Accra (pop 1.97 million)
People: Akan (44%), Mole-Dagbane (16%), Ewé (13%), Ga (8%), Guan, Gurma, Gonja, Dagomba
Language: English (official language), Ewé, Ga, Twi
Religion: Christian (60%), Muslim (15%), traditional African religions (25%)
Government: Constitutional democracy
Major industries: Mining, lumber, gold, cocoa, light manufacturing
Major trading partners: US, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea
© Copyright 2008 Lonely Planet Publications. All rights reserved. Used with permission. www.lonelyplanet.com.
Applying
Program Requirements
Volunteers for the Ghana Peace Village program must:
- be between 18 and 65 years of age
- be able to walk long distances and be able to tolerate heat
- be a self-starter and able to work under your own direction
- be experienced in either mediation, counseling, grassroots development or conflict resolution
- be able to speak English fluently
The Application Process
Your application process is free and seamless, and if you are successful we will provide you with a choice of application fee payment options that include a secure online service. We also are one of the few organisations that allow you to transfer your application fee to another program at no extra cost.
Communication & Support:
Throughout the process, we are committed to working with you to answer any of your questions or concerns. During your placement we are also available as a form of support to you as a volunteer and will email you while in country to discuss how the program is going.
Cost
A US$350 application fee (fully transferable) will secure your place on the program, with your program fee due for payment eight weeks before you begin your placement. You only pay your application fee once and then you can access any of GVN's volunteer programs over the next 5 years.
Your application fee includes the following benefits:
5 Years Access
You will have access to any of GVN's volunteer programs over the next 5 years, as many times as you like without having to pay another application fee!
Personal Staff Support
We will provide you with a quality placement, accurate information and specialist support while you are preparing to volunteer; and 24hr/7 day in-country support during your
placement.
Lock in your fee
Confirm your placement now, and lock in your quoted program fee for a 5-year period, providing extra assurance and flexibility to fit your timeframe.
Ghana (PCO) Program Guide
Your online resource guide that covers topics such as country information, details on your placement, travel links, visa application process, and much more!
Fundraising Guide
Your Fundraising Guide and Software which provides you with proven fundraising strategies, letter generating software and other resources to help you raise up to 100% of the cost of your trip.
Your Online Journal
Which help you to communicate effectively and easily with your family and friends back home.
Once your application fee is paid the remainder of the cost for your time in the Ghana (PCO) program is:
- Cost for 2 weeks - US $779
- Cost for 3 weeks - US $969
- Cost for 1 month - US $1159
- Cost for 6 weeks - US $1539
- Cost for 2 months - US $1919
- Cost for 10 weeks - US $2299
- Cost for 3 months - US $2679
- Cost for 4 months - US $3439
- Cost for 5 months - US $4199
- Cost for 6 months - US $4959
The in-country fee covers airport pickup, transport to placement, meals during placement, and our partner organization's administrative charge and supervision cost. Please note that your accommodation is provided free by the school.
The other costs you will need to meet are your flights, visa, shots, travel insurance (compulsory), departure tax, and your bus trip back to the airport. You will need to budget for your other expenses like bottled water, personal costs, beverages, and entertainment. If you are willing to live on a tight budget you can get by on $US20 per week.
Schedule
The program starts on the 1st and 15th of each month. You will need to fly into Kotoka Internatioanl Airport in Accra, the day before your placement begins. Volunteers can stay for a period of two weeks to six months. Volunteers wishing to stay longer than this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
You can volunteer at any time throughout the year.
FAQ
We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions which we receive at the GVN inbox. This is a great place to start if you have questions about Global Volunteer Network and our placement process. This information should answer the majority of questions you may have.
Question not covered here?
Please check the generic FAQ, and if still unanswered, please ask us a question here. (We aim to answer all email within 48 hours).
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