Clinical Medical Placement
Community Development at Urban Slum
Orphanage Volunteering: Is it Right?
Ghana Summer Camp
July 21st – August 5th 2012
Akwaaba! Come join us this summer for a once in a life time experience volunteering with children in Ghana, Africa! Whether it’s a memory of your first time learning a sport, or your favorite sing-along tune, camp memories are unique and something to be cherished for life.
You and your fellow volunteers will provide the opportunity for many Ghanian children to experience camp for the first time. Camp will allow them time to spend with friends outside of a classroom setting, and a chance to both explore their artistic & athletic talents, as well as their team building skills! In addition to volunteering with local children, your trip will include exciting weekend excursions such as venturing in a dugout canoe ride to one of the most unique stilt villages in the world, spending a day in the beautiful beach town of Cape Coast, and stepping back in history while visiting a world renowned slave castle! You will also have plenty of time to freely explore the local area, and learn more about the cultures around you. This program is generously sponsored by Endeavour Mining. We’d love to have you join us!
Overview
During a period of two weeks, our team will set up and run one-week long summer camp programs in 2 local communities with limited or no access to after school programming. A team leader will be on site to ensure the program is running smoothly, yet our volunteers are given opportunities to foster their own independence. Top-quality amenities including food, bottled water, accommodation, and in-country transport are all provided.
As a camp counselor, you will have the opportunity to learn about different cultures of local communities, share your skill sets with the Ghanian youth, share your passion for helping others, and who knows what else? Maybe explore a new hidden talent at teaching arts and crafts! Here are some examples of the activities you may be a part of:
- Work with the team in creating a schedule
- Organize a camp sing-along & dance
- Run an arts & crafts station
- Teach a new sport
- Assist in leading an all-camp morning and afternoon assembly
Itinerary
You must apply online. You will then be contacted via phone or email within three business days for an interview. Upon acceptance you will be invited to register, and will then be provided with in-depth program information as well as pre-departure guidance on flights, insurance, visas, & vaccinations. Please note, exact itinerary is subject to change based on local needs.
Saturday July 21st
Volunteers are responsible for booking their own flights, and should arrive on July 21st. If you can not arrive exactly on July 21st, please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate an earlier arrival.
Upon arrival, we’ll bring you from the airport to the team’s hotel in Accra. After some time spent settling in and meeting others, your Team Leader will provide you & your fellow volunteers with a small group orientation in order to get better acquainted with one another.
Sunday July 22nd
The team will depart Accra for their first excursion on the way to the Western Region. Traveling along Ghana’s beautiful coast, we’ll first visit the lively waterfront town of Cape Coast, a town filled with Victorian-era buildings and small local shops, followed by a tour the historic Cape Coast slave castle and lunch.
Cape Coast is known as the 1st capital of Britain’s Gold Coast colony and is the capital of Ghana’s Central region. In the late 17thcentury, Cape Coast became one of the largest and most important trading post in West Africa. It is best known for the Cape Coast Castle, one of the largest slave-holding sites in the world. In the colonial era, thousands of Ghanian slaves were held here before being put onto merchant ships to be traded for alcohol and guns.
Following the tour, the team will have some time to shop and take in the breath taking coastal views, before having lunch and heading to the Western region. There, the team will have free time to rest, and will then meet to work on a schedule for the upcoming exciting week of camp!
Monday July 23rd – Friday July 27th
For the next 5 days the team will be working alongside local staff, running a camp at an elementary school in the Western region.
Saturday July 28th
The team will enjoy a well deserved day off! Volunteers can relax at the beach or visit Axim town. Axim Beach has a picturesque rocky beach and a sandy beach perfect for swimming, relaxing, and sports such as volleyball.
Sunday July 29th
The team will travel to a local village of Beyin, where they will then venture to the village of Nzulezu on a 1 hour dugout canoe ride through the Amansuri swamps, the largest intact swamp forest in all of Ghana. This is an experience you will surely never forget!
The unique Nzulezo stilt village lies on the freshwater Lake Amansuri, 5k from the town of Beyin. With a population of around 500 people, this fascinating village consists solely of wood and raffia walkways, with a few dozen houses alongside of it. The uniqueness of the culture among the communities, families, school children, & church-goers of Nzulezo is so intriguing as well as truly inspiring!On the way home the team can watch the sunset at Monkey Hill, a vibrant beach hangout where you can learn to dance with the best of them.
Monday July 30th – Friday August 3rd
For the next 5 days you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside local staff in our 2nd site, a local elementary school in the Western region we will be working with.
Saturday August 4th
The team will enjoy a well deserved day off! Volunteers can relax at the beach or visit Axim town. Axim Beach has a picturesque rocky beach and a sandy beach perfect for swimming, relaxing, and sports such as volleyball.
Sunday August 5th
The team will depart Western Region for Accra. Volunteers depart throughout the evening.
Leadership
Alana Shamah
Team Leader
Alana Shamah is a school social worker in Harlem, New York. She has a passion for helping others, and advocating for children’s rights. Alana has years of experience working with children of all ages in school, summer camp & clinical settings. She enjoys learning about new cultures and people from around the world. In her day to day work, Alana provides counseling to at-risk youth. Though it’s a challenging job, she loves knowing that every day she’s able to help make a difference in at least one child’s life. Since she was a child, she always dreamed of taking her passions to the next level by going to Ghana to help those most in need; last summer she embarked on her first visit, and felt such a strong connection to the local communities we worked with. She is so excited to return to Ghana this coming summer as a Team Leader of our program! While in Ghana, she will assist our team of volunteers by providing logistical support both before & after the trip.
Who You Are
You are outgoing, positive, and are someone who has a passion for helping others. You are adventurous, interested in taking risks, and are willing to try new experiences. You enjoy learning about new places, cultures, and meeting people from around the world. Most importantly, you are non-judgmental, and are open-minded to others different from you. You are someone who acclimates well to new environments and is flexible in adapting to change. You enjoy working with children and have the patience, kindness, and energy it requires!
Though some of our volunteers may have more experience working with children than others, we are looking for applicants who overall have an interest in & are comfortable working with children of all ages. Whether you are an undergrad, or graduate student considering a career in child and family studies, a professional working in fine arts, theater or dance, or are a social worker, school teacher, or counselor working in a school, clinic or other setting, this is a great opportunity to build on your skill sets. It will also provide you with a meaningful, learning experience and an opportunity to further grow as an individual and a team player!
If you think this sounds like you, we’d love for you to join us. Apply now!
Where We Are Volunteering
We are volunteering in the villages of Teleku Bokazo & Nkroful in Western region. These villages are located 300 Kms west of the capital city, Accra. The area is home to the Nzema people (pronounced inzima), who have their own unique culture and language.
Where We are Staying
We are staying nearby at the Axim Beach Hotel. The hotel is safe and secure. Situated on a tropical beach, the hotel has modern amenities in traditional Ghanaian style accommodation.
Click here to see a map of the area and for in-depth country information.
Passport & Visa Requirements
- Is a visa required?: Yes
- Allocation of Tourist Visa: Before Departure
- Duration of Tourist visa: 1 to 3 months
- Cost of Tourist Visa: Varies, but you can expect to pay 60CAD
- Tourist Visa Extension: Possible up to two years
- Cost of Tourist Visa Extension: Variable
- Passport validation: 6 months required before expiry
- Return/onward flight ticket: Required
- Confirmation of Funds: May be required
- For more information visit the websites of Ghana representation abroad:
Program Fees
Volunteers are responsible for covering the cost of their flights, Ghanaian visa, and any personal medications and vaccinations associated with travel.
The program fee covers a donation for the purchase of school supplies, administrative support, and tours. The cost of food, accommodation, and in-country transport is generously provided by Endeavour Mining
The program fees for the Ghana Summer Camp is $890CAD
What’s Included
- Pre-departure support: You will have a staff member available to support you throughout your time preparing to go abroad. In addition, you will be provided with all the resources you need including your Pre-Departure Manual & Culture Matters Workbook. The pre-departure manual includes all information you need regarding your destination, as well as advice on blogging and fundraising. The Culture Matters Workbook is a self-study course focused on:
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- Culture shock
- Issues power and race
- Managing politics, religion, and gender
- Working effectively in a cross-cultural setting
- Preparing to reintegrate as you return home
- All in-country transportation
- Oceanfront accommodation in hotel
- Three meals daily*
- Tours to Nzulezu Village, and Slave Castle in Cape Coast
- Reference letter and/or compliance with your college or university for course credit (Upon request; 90CAD fee applies for students obtaining course credit)
*Please note that lunch on August 7th & August 20th, and meals on August 21st are not included. Volunteers can budget 3CAD-5CAD per meal depending on food preference, though an excellent fresh seafood meal can often be had for 7CAD.
What’s not Included
- Airfare
- Insurance
- Vaccinations
- Pocket money
Other Costs to Consider
| Cost in Cedi | Cost in CAD | |
| Meal at a Restaurant | 3.00-7.00 | 2.00-5.00 |
| Bottle of Pop | .50 | .35 |
| Bottle of Beer | 1.50-3.00 | 1.00 -2.00 |
| Minute of Cell Phone Usage | .10 | .07 |
| Half Hour at Cyber Café | .50-1 | .35-70 |
| Shrimp & Lobster Dinner | 10 | 6.50 |
| Taxi to anywhere in surrounding area | 3.00 | 2.00 |
Click here to see program fees for all programs with The Humanity Exchange.