 |
 |
|
|
|
||
|
Liberia Refugee Camp - FAQTell me more about the Ghana and the Refugee Camp?What is the climate like in Ghana? What kind of volunteer work is available? What age do you have to be to volunteer? Do I need to speak English to become a volunteer? When do I need to arrive at the camp? What immunizations/vaccines will I need? What are the living arrangements when volunteering? Can I bring my family/children to this program with me? What is the criterion for volunteers to be accepted into the program? Are we able to do any sightseeing while volunteering? Are there more expenses once I arrive? How safe is it to volunteer in Ghana and at the camp? How many volunteers are there on site at the same time? What resources are available for teaching when I'm volunteering? Do I need to bring my own? Can you tell me more about your partner in Ghana? What is the course content of the training? How are couples accommodated while volunteering? Who organizes my visa for my volunteer placement? Do I need travel insurance? How do I pay my program fee? Can vegetarians be catered for in this program? ------ Tell me more about the Ghana and the Refugee Camp? Ghana is a vibrant and alluring country, steeped in rich tradition and a frequently tragic history. Free from the trappings of mass tourism, this former British colony has much to offer the visitor. Tropical beaches abound but there's so much more: feed the sacred crocodiles at Paga, plunge into the waterfalls of the eastern highlands, marvel at the game-rich savannah of Mole National Park, or relive the chilling story of the coastal slave forts. For more information we suggest that you purchase the Bradt Travel Guide to Ghana. If you wish you can purchase a copy from our bookshop. The Refugee Camp is home to more than 40 000 Liberians who have been displaced from their home country because of the war that began in 1990. The camp itself consists of dirt roads and very modest homes or huts with no running water or electricity available at all. It is about a 45 minute bus ride from the camp to the capital city of Accra and it is just a ten minute ride to the major market of Kosoa. The camp itself has its own market stalls scattered all over where you can purchase fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, eggs, etc. What is the climate like in Ghana? Since Ghana is only a few degrees north of the equator, the only seasonal changes are distinct wet and dry seasons. The best time to visit is during September-October when the weather is relatively cooler and it rains only occasionally. During December-February it is the dry season, when day temperatures are in the 80s-90s F/27-36 C and nights in the 70s F/18-26 C. Another dry season occurs in July and August. A dry northeast wind known as the harmattan blows for about 10 days in January. The eastern coastal belt is warm and comparatively dry; the southwest corner has the highest humidity and rainfall, while the north is frequently hot and dry. Don't forget to take along an umbrella during the rainy season. What kind of volunteer work is available? PCO has a wide range of programs and activities, in which international volunteers can, according to experience and education, become involved. There is space for volunteers to put forward their own ideas in the implementation of PCO's existing programs. In addition, PCO is open to the input of international volunteers with regard to the establishment of new programs. The following programs are already conducted by our partner in the Buduburam Refugee Settlement PCO Refugee Children Learning Center Established in May 2004 in the Buduburam Refugee Camp, the PCO Refugee Children Learning Center is promoting a culture of peace and non-violent way of life while providing literacy and numerical skills to Liberian refugee children between the ages of 6-17 years. The number of students at the Center in the past has ranged from 15 to 84, depending on the availability of teachers. As of September 2004, there is a basic teaching curriculum previously designed by PCO and volunteers. The international volunteer will conduct classes in basic peace education and also assist with general teaching according to experience (i.e. English, Math, etc.) Community Peace Cells PCO has established 14 "community peace cells" throughout the camp, responsible for conflict-resolution training and facilitation of dialogue and reconciliation in the broader Buduburam community. As you can imagine, this is the most difficult activity to get people to work through, considering the emotional elements involved. These peace cells are sometimes successful and sometimes not. To improve on this, volunteers with specific knowledge (and enthusiasm) are needed to inform and motivate all parties involved. The international volunteer will do the following: 1. Help train community peace cell leaders to facilitate, monitor, and guide community peace discussions. 2. Support the peace cells with academic expertise on conflict resolution and other peace and conflict related topics. 3. Help record and analyze sensitive information from the meeting. This data will be constructed into social and psychological quality indicators. 4. Serve as the eye from the outside world, giving the participants confidence to openly disclose hidden fear, hatred, and desire for revenge. 5. Help in the door-to-door conflict resolution process within the camp. Drama Group and Cultural Troupe PCO also maintains a cultural troupe and a drama group and regularly stages live performances throughout the camp. Performances and the guided discussions that follow help people think about the causes of conflict in the Liberian community and provide conflict resolution knowledge. The international volunteer can do the following: 1. Train PCO dramatists in theatrical arts 2. Train PCO cultural artists and dramatists peace-building and conflict-resolution skills 3. Help IEC officers to lead, monitor, and guide peace discussions after cultural and drama performances 4. Observe the implementation of the conflict-resolution aspect of the groups' performances and assist the groups with his/her expertise in the area of conflict resolution and other peace and conflict related topics. Research Unit The Research Unit's task is to collect raw data on issues such as fear, desire for revenge, ethnic hatred and violence, etc for the purpose of compiling PCO peace-building educational materials and programs. Data already available on these issues is still limited. The volunteer's responsibility will include assisting the research unit in the collection and analysis of data, and the analysis of working papers for the peace program. Liberian Tribal Leaders Reconciliation Forum In collaboration with the Liberian Refugee Welfare Council, PCO runs the Liberian tribal leaders reconciliation forum, begun in September 2004. The forum meets regularly every month and brings together Liberian tribal leaders in Buduburam to discuss broad ranging issues focused on sharing an understanding of the causes of tribal conflicts in the Liberian society and the way forward. The overall aim of the forum is to develop an action plan for tribal reconciliation to be implemented at the community and national levels. The international volunteers will do the following: 1. Help to facilitate the forum 2. Help to facilitate reconciliation workshops for tribal leaders 3. Serve as the eye from the outside world, giving the participants confidence to openly disclose hidden fear, hatred, and desire for revenge. 4. Help in the compilation of the action plan for reconciliation in Liberia. PCO Refugee Mothers' Skill Training Center At the Skill Training Center, refugee mothers are trained to sew. This project has been running since July 2004, starting with 10 women. Currently the Center is producing beautiful African quilts and bedspreads. PCO is establishing transport and distribution systems in Europe for these products. Money derived from their sale will be used to expand the skills training program and will also be given to the refugee mothers working at the Center. PCO plans to include other vocational skills such as tie dying, beauty care, soap making, typing and 'grass root' industrial technologies. The aim is to provide women with vocational and/or employable skills and an income with which they can support their families and provide a more stable and healthy environment for their children. According to experience, the international volunteer can: 1. Provide counseling and teach basic life skills to refugee mothers 2. Improve the capacity of the teaching staff 3. Train refugee mothers in Child Rights and child rearing skills 4. Teach refugee mothers basic adult literacy 5. Train refugee mothers in micro-business management skills PCO Sanitation Project The Sanitation Project's motto is "creating a better living environment for Liberian Refugee children." The refugee population within the Buduburam Settlement is presently facing a critical sanitation situation that carries problematic health consequences. The Sanitation effort of PCO began in February 2004 with a Sanitation team of 24 volunteers. Whether rain or shine the team has been working to improve the sanitation conditions in the Settlement. In order to maintain a clean and healthy environment in the camp, PCO has established a volunteer sanitation team, which physically cleans parts of the Buduburam Settlement every weekday morning by sweeping and removing garbage and dirt. Currently PCO is working with the camp authorities to plan and develop a major sanitation awareness campaign. According to skills, the international volunteer can: 1. Provide training in health and sanitation works 2. Help to monitor the health impact of PCO sanitation works on the lives of the refugee community in the camp. For example, monitoring how the effort is helping to reduce sicknesses that are associated with contaminated environments in the camp. 3. Help to further improve the work of the sanitation team Capacity The international volunteer can furthermore assist the staff of PCO with his/her expertise in organizational and administrative work. This task includes organizing workshops, fundraising, recruiting volunteers, establishing relationships with universities abroad, mentoring the organization's staff and other general tasks related to PCO's work in the Buduburam Refugee Settlement. School in the Aboansan Village Recently, the chief of Aboansan village, nana Kwame Korblan and his people including all the sub-chiefs, elders, interest groups and all his people, called on PCO to extend its programs to the village. They especially invited the organization to establish a school and women skill training programs in the village. The people of Aboansan village narrated that there is no school in the village therefore their children have to walk to Chorcha town and Adabra town about one-hour walk to school. They pointed out that it was very dangerous for young children to walk along through forest because wild animals, snakes, etc may attack them or they may involve into play that may cause harm for them. As a result of this many children in the village are not in school. Aboansan village is about a 30-minute drive from the township of Awutu Bereku where the volunteer guesthouse is located. 306 Ghanaian villagers inhabit Aboansan village. More than 70% of the villagers are women and children. Most teaching materials will not be available from PCO so please bring with you (or better yet, purchase in Ghana) anything you need if you plan to help with this project. Tasks for international volunteers: 1. Help to organize and construct school in the village 2. Help to train a teaching staff 3. Help to teach the students 4. Assist in the establishment of vocational skill training programs for Aboansan village women 5. Provide counseling and teach basic life skills to Aboansan village women 6. Train Aboansan village women in child rights and child-rearing skills 7. Teach Aboansan village women basic adult literacy 8. Train Aboansan village women micro-business management skills Buduburam Central Mosque PCO has also established its presence at the Buduburam Mosque, the only mosque in the settlement. International volunteers have been promoting peace education, literacy and numeric skills to Muslim children in the mosque. What age do you have to be to volunteer? You must be 18 years old and above. There is no upper limit. You just have to be in good health. Do I need to speak English to become a volunteer? Yes it would be helpful if you speak English. You may have English as your second language and that is also fine. While there are many local languages spoken in Ghana, the majority of people speak English and everyone at the camp speaks English as well. When do I need to arrive at the camp? You can start the program on the 1st or the 15th of each month. Typically, volunteers will be greeted at airport in Accra upon their arrival. What immunizations/vaccines will I need?
Malaria is prevalent in Ghana so we strongly recommend medication for this. A Yellow fever vaccination is legally required to enter Ghana and you will need to provide a certificate to prove you have had it to obtain a Visa. Consult the following links for more information about malaria: http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/faq.htm http://www.cdc.gov/travel/regionalmalaria/wafrica.htm What are the living arrangements when volunteering? You will be staying with other volunteers at a volunteer guesthouse in a private room. The guesthouse is located outside the camp. Running water and a western toilet are available, and all meals and bedding are provided. Can I bring my family/children to this program with me? Due to limited placements in this program, the spaces in the accommodation are reserved for volunteers only. If you are volunteering and would like to bring your family, you will need to arrange separate accommodation for them outside of the camp. As the demands of volunteering are quite strenuous, physically, mentally, and most of all, emotionally, we recommend volunteering on your own so that you may focus on the community and your personal health. What is the criterion for volunteers to be accepted into the program? Each applicant is considered by the information they provide on the application. If further information is required applicants will be emailed to request this. Please refer to the program requirements listed on the program page which outlines the minimum expectations of what is required for volunteering in this specific program. We also look further at your application as to skills and experience specifically related to the program you have applied to. We look at volunteer experiences, travel experience and also your particular interest in the program to make our decision. Are we able to do any sightseeing while volunteering? Yes. Any time that you are not expected to be on your project you are free to do as you please. Teaching hours very from 2 - 5 hours per day. You may want to spend some time in Ghana before or after volunteering to see more of the country. You can survive on as little as $20 (U.S) a day in Ghana. You can also spend much more if you want a bit of luxury. The Bradt Guide contains many traveling ideas and is very through in detailing places to stay along the way. Are there more expenses once I arrive? The program fee covers all meals during your placement. If you arrive early or intend on staying on in Ghana for longer than you are volunteering then you will need to have spare money for this time. Also some money may be required for your days off depending on what you intend doing. Other costs include buying bottled water, departure tax and any shopping you will do personally. How safe is it to volunteer in Ghana and at the camp? Ghana is one of the safest countries in Africa. It has a democratic electoral process and a stable economy. We work very hard to ensure you are placed in safe environments while volunteering. The people are very warm and friendly towards foreigners, so you will be well looked after. The camp is a gated community and has an UNHCR outpost. The atmosphere in the camp is very community oriented; everyone looks out for everyone else and all of the Liberians are very family centered. They love foreigners and are very grateful for all the help volunteers bring to the community, therefore, they are welcoming and will always look out for your safety and comfort. How many volunteers are there on site at the same time? This depends on how many people wish to volunteer at any one time, the maximum number being 8. What resources are available for teaching when I'm volunteering? Do I need to bring my own? Any teaching resources you have that would be of benefit to you in your teaching subject would ideally be taken with you. You can discuss ideas with our partner at the camp via the email. You need to understand that all schools are very under resourced and much of the teaching is rote learning with the teacher up the front talking to a whole class situation. Many students may not have books or pencils to even work with. Do not expect to have many resources provided at the school. What is the course content of the training? There is no actual training in this program in the way of project work. You will be bringing your skills and experience to the organisation so that they may increase their effectivity. Who organizes my visa for my volunteer placement? You will organize your Visa through your travel agent before you leave for Ghana. Do I need travel insurance? As with any overseas traveling, insurance is recommended. The Global Volunteer Network has arranged a comprehensive travel insurance package specially designed for volunteering. It includes excellent medical and accident cover as well as a 'loss of deposits' cover which covers all fees paid to GVN, Airlines etc (up to US$10,000). The cost is US$150.00 for the first month and then US$100.00 per month after that. If you would like to learn more just follow this link: http://www.volunteer.org.nz/insurance/. How do I pay my program fee? Your program fee is payable to Global Volunteer Network 8 weeks prior to the 1st of the month you wish to volunteer. Please note that all charges incurred by the payment of the program fee are at the volunteer�s expense, e.g. there is a 5% surcharge on credit card payments. Bank transfers also incur a bank fee at the point of origin that is at the expense of the volunteer. The program fee is non refundable. Can vegetarians be catered for in this program? Vegetarians are fine if they are willing to settle for a limited selection of food. Breakfast is generally tea, eggs, some sort of oatmeal and bread. No problem there. Lunch is the main meal of the day and is served from a revolving menu of rice, potatoes, yams, beans or plantains, accompanied by a sauce on the side (which can often include meat). Often there is also fruit, such as pineapple, set out. You�ll need to supplement at your own expense if this is not acceptable to you. ------ Question not covered here? Please check the generic FAQ, and if still unanswered, please submit your question here. (We aim to answer all email within 48 hours). Click here to apply for the Ghana refugee camp program. |
|
Machu Picchu