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GVN Home > ghana > community

Volunteer in Ghana (Community Development)

The Global Volunteer Network currently has opportunities to help develop communities through our partner organization in Ghana. Volunteers will help our partner strengthen the organizational skills of local groups who are making efforts to reduce poverty in their region. For example, you could assist a small group of Ghanaian seamstresses and tailors in setting up a sewing training program for local youth. The local youth would then provide the labor for an Orphan Fund project that sews new school uniforms for orphans in the region. By helping the group of seamstresses and tailors be more effective, you are actually helping all the youth they come in contact with and giving them the skills to build other projects in the future. In this way you are volunteering for a short time with a long-term effect. The ultimate goal is to help local groups get to the point where they can approach and collaborate with the international development community as solid partners. In order to do that, we need volunteers with a wide range of skills and a strong belief in the value of sustainability.

.: The Program

This is a program for those interested in development projects who wish to play a leadership role and get highly immersed in a local project. Volunteers will bring the most value in their organizational skills, reliability, project and people management, and basic enthusiasm. You will work with one of the various local groups our partner is connected with. These groups each have their own individual goals which include educating orphans, providing vocational training, protecting the local environment through eco-tourism initiatives, or starting a youth center. With the help of volunteers, even more projects can be added over time. Each volunteer is provided with specific assignment objectives, a local Counterpart who will help assist in achieving project goals, access to the regional office for technical support. In addition, weekly stipends are provided for partners attending committee meetings or field trips. These stipends are important as it is so easy to lose hope in areas where poverty and closed doors abound. The stipend provides a further incentive to local community workers to follow through on their initiatives, motivating and inspiring others along the way.

.: Program Location

Our partner's regional office is in the town of Ho, the capital of the Volta Region. Volunteers typically work and live in the same community, not more than 15 miles from Ho. You will be accommodated in a homestay situation, usually living with your assigned Ghanaian Counterpart and his/her family.

.: Program Requirements

Volunteers for the Ghana Community program must:

be between 18 and 60 years of age
be able to walk long distances (up to 1 hour continuously) and be able to tolerate heat
be available for a minimum of four weeks
be able to speak English fluently

.: Program Schedule

You can volunteer at any time throughout the year.

Volunteers can stay from a period of one month to six months. Your stay can be extended beyond six months on a case by case basis.

.: Program Cost

The cost of the program are as follows:

Global Volunteer Network - Application Fee: US $350.00. The application fee covers administration, marketing, program information, and communication. (This fee is paid to us before you leave for Ghana).

Ghana Community Development Program Fee

Cost for 1 month will be US $750.00.
Cost for 6 weeks will be US $1050.00.
Cost for 2 months will be US $1350.00.
Cost for 10 weeks will be US $1650.00.
Cost for 3 months will be US $1950.00.
Cost for 4 months will be US $2550.00.
Cost for 5 months will be US $3150.00.
Cost for 6 months will be US $3750.00.

The program fee covers accommodation and meals during placement, an administrative charge, airport pickup, transport to placement, support for local community workers, and supervision costs (this fee is paid to GVN at least 8 weeks before the 1st of the month you arrive in Ghana).

To see the cost in your local currency, we recommend that you look here.

The other costs you will need to meet are:
Your flights, visa, shots, travel insurance, departure tax, accommodation and meals on your first night, 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 US$20 per week.

:: Frequently Asked Questions

We have put together the following page, which answers the majority of questions people have.
Click here

.: Volunteer Journals

If you would like to read about the experiences of some of our volunteers who are currently in Ghana, you can do so here. This journal service is provided free to all our volunteers.
Click here

.: Book Resources

We have a selection of books available that you may find useful if you decide to volunteer in Ghana.
Click here

.: Application Process

All, applicants will be notified by email as to whether their application has been successful.

1) Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form via the link below. Upon receipt of the form we will assess your suitability for the program.

2) Contact You: If you are successful we will then email you a letter of acceptance.

3) Decision Point: Once you have read through the letter of acceptance and we have answered any questions or concerns that you might have, it is time to pay your application fee to secure your place on the program. Please note that we will refund your application fee if you decide not to go.

4) Confirmation: Once the application fee is paid, our volunteer partner will contact you to ensure everything is organized. We will also send you the link to our program guide which covers topics such as: country information, travel links, visa application process, fundraising ideas and much more!

5) Communication & Support: Throughout the application 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.

Click here to apply for the Ghana Program.

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