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Ambassador in a Children's Home
Coordinator | Guillaume
Coordinator | Guillaume
You'll be working in a Ghanaian orphange - the Jiko Foundation, helping with the day-to-day running and spending valuable time with the children.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
Orphanage volunteers will be placed in either at the JayNii Foundation or in another partnered children’s home, caring for children aged between one and fourteen years.
In the morning, the kids will be away at school, so you will spend this time helping at a local school before heading to the orphanage in the afternoon to meet them as they come back. At the home, you will be expected to engage in a wide range of other activities, depending on the specific needs of your placement. This will include plenty of practical work, helping with the everyday running of the orphanage, such as cleaning, laundry, cooking and the dishes; as well as helping with development of the home’s facilities (i.e. painting classrooms, gardening).
Some of the most valuable work you’ll do, of course, will be spending time with the orphans: playing with them, helping with homework and getting to know them. As a volunteer you can help to provide more individual care and attention for each child. As you will be spending time with the children on an informal basis, we encourage you to organise games and evening activities.
Forming friendships and helping to foster a sense of family and community is hugely important – some of the children will have lacked these all their lives. However, this can be difficult if you are volunteering for weeks rather than months. Remember that you will be passing through these children’s lives and ensure you work with placement staff to be a positive presence. Look to longer term volunteers for guidance.
If you have childcare experience or training, please share your experience with other volunteers and guide them in their work. Share your knowledge with placement staff as well – that way, your impact can live on even after you return home.
Orphanage placements are hard work, what with chores and entertaining and caring for large groups of children – so plenty of enthusiasm and a lot of energy are a must!
Typical day
Volunteers in Ghana orphanage programs are generally expected to work at their placement five days a week. Weekday mornings will start with breakfast with other volunteers, before you start working at around 9am. Children tend to learn best during the mornings, so your initial duties may well involve teaching a small class of children. At around 12pm you’ll get a break for lunch, which you can take with other volunteers and local staff. Afternoons are often devoted to games and activities and it will be your job to help run these.
You will generally finish your placement at around 5pm, though you’ll find that the children will often want you to stay around to play more! After your placement you’ll get a chance to unwind with other volunteers and local team members over dinner.
Free-time activities
All of Agape's volunteers in Ghana also get the opportunity to take part in a free tour during their stay in Ghana. This will typically be of Jamestown, a historic area of Accra which is now the site of a fishing village. You’ll be guided around the area, and get the chance to understand a little more of the country’s rich cultural history, as well as seeing what life is like in Ghana’s capital today!
Our extra trips in Ghana include something for everyone, such as jungle trekking, cultural excursions, and visits to a variety of National Parks and animal sanctuaries.
Safari/
Zoo
Zoo
Hiking
Sports
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (intermediate level)
required
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
experienced in childcare
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
from
09:00
- 17:00
What's Included
Your fees include accommodation and two meals a day - six days a week. They also cover your transfers to and from the airport in Accra, in-country support from our staff, a dedicated trip adviser, a Jamestown tour, your orientation, and all your administrative costs. It funds a donation to your placement and Agape Insurance, the most comprehensive package provided as standard in the industry.
You will be picked up at the airport by a member of Agape staff. It is a three-hour drive from Accra to Takoradi, where the placements are based.
Most of our volunteers in Ghana live at the local centre for street-children, which also acts as Agape’s base in Ghana. Set right on the beach, it’s a great place to live, with plenty going on. You will most likely be sharing dorm-style rooms with other volunteers, and these are typically single-sex.
Beyond that, you will have access to showers, toilets and a kitchen, though food is provided.
The centre can be a very vibrant place, with a great mixture of volunteers and local team members, and the beach-side setting provides the perfect opportunity for a host of unique activities.
The fees include two meals a day, six days a week. Breakfast tends to be fairly simple, consisting of bread and butter or jam, coffee and tea. Lunch will be your own responsibility and you can eat very cheaply near your placement. For your evening meal, expect to eat lots of rice and banku (a corn/cassava based dough with a consistency like mashed potato) as a staple. These tend to be served with beans, meat and cabbage, in stews or curry sauces.
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ghana.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Ghana provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Ghana you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Ghana.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
Shortly before your departure we will be in contact to give you some information about airport pick ups and safety procedures.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
4 - 50 weeks
Program fees
4 weeks
(min. stay)
$ 1,043
5 weeks
$ 1,172
6 weeks
$ 1,301
7 weeks
$ 1,430
11 weeks
$ 1,945
20 weeks
$ 2,847
50 weeks
(max. stay)
$ 5,938
Average fees
$ 190
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated and subject to exchange rate fluctuations.
Agape Volunteers
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with Agape Volunteers during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
Why book with Volunteer World
Volunteer World is the world's leading comparison platform for international volunteer opportunities. We guide you through a safe and easy
application process
- including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
Quality Assurance
High ethical standards & transparent social impact
Flex Option
Change your reservation at no extra costs
Refund Guarantee
We refund your fees if Agape Volunteers cancels your trip
Support & Mediation
We cover your back no matter what happens
Our services are free of charge!
All program fees are charged directly by Agape Volunteers.
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Ambassador in a Children's Home
You'll be working in a Ghanaian orphange - the Jiko Foundation, helping with the day-to-day running and spending valuable time with the children.
$190/week
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