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Volunteer in Ghana (Liberian Refugee Camp: Peace and Education)
.: The Program
Volunteers who join this program will be working with one of our partner organisations in the Buduburam Refugee settlement. The organisation was founded in May 2003 by Liberian refugees who saw the need and potential for peace among their people who have been ravaged by many years of civil war. This need has directed their primary focus to peace and reconciliation for Liberians who have been traumatised by the conflict in their home country. Our partner has a wide range of projects in which international volunteers can become involved. There is space for volunteers to put forward their own ideas in the implementation of our partner's existing projects.
This project has a great need for volunteers who have training or experience in peace education and conflict resolution, however volunteers with other skills are welcomed also. According to education and experience volunteers will have the opportunity to work with children and adults of all ages in the following projects:
- Tribal Leaders Reconciliation Forum: Facilitate reconciliation forum/workshops and act as an eye from the outside world giving people confidence to open up.
- Education: conduct classes in basic peace education and also assist with general teaching (for volunteers staying longer than one month)
- Peace cells: train community peace cell leaders, support the peace cells with academic expertise and help in the door-to-door conflict resolution process within the camp.
- Refugee Mothers' Skill Training Centre: help train mothers in life skills, child rearing skills, adult literacy and micro-business management.
- Capacity: help staff develop administration and organization skills, organize workshops and fundraising.
.: Program Location
The volunteer work is located inside Buduburam Refugee Settlement, just west of the town of Kosoa, and about 30 miles (45km) from the capital city Accra.
.: Program Schedule
Volunteers can stay from a period of four weeks to three months. Your stay can be extended beyond three months on a case by case basis (depending upon our partner's requirement). You can either start on the 1st or the 15th of each month.
Volunteers will share a room with one other volunteer in the volunteer house: the house is located off the camp. Electricity and a western toilet are available, and all meals are provided. There is no running water.
.: Program Requirements
Volunteers for this program must:
- be at least 18 years of age
- be able to walk long distances and be able to tolerate heat
- be available for a minimum of four weeks
- be able to speak English fluently
.: Program Cost
The costs 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).
- Cost for 1 month will be US $600.00.
- Cost for 6 weeks will be US $850.00.
- Cost for 2 months will be US $1100.00.
- Cost for 10 weeks will be US $1350.00.
- Cost for 3 months will be US $1600.00.
The program fee covers administrative charge, airport pickup, transport to placement, meals during your placement, and supervision (this fee is paid directly to GVN at least 8 weeks before you travel).
To see the cost in your local currency, we recommend that you look here.
You will need a weekly budget of approximately US$25 to cater for all your other expenses like bottled water, internet, personal costs, beverages and entertainment.
The other costs you will need to meet are:
Your flights, visa, immunisations, travel insurance, departure tax and your bus trip back to the airport.
.: 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) If you are interested in this program, then let Charisse Gebhart our Africa Coordinator know.
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.
To apply for this program, click here.
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