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Excellent 4.89rating (1850)
  • Quality Education

Ghana Disabled Children Volunteers

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified
Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • Contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goal 10 by promoting equality and inclusion
  • Support children with additional needs in a caring, inclusive learning setting
  • Help children build confidence and independence through daily activities

Highlights

  • Contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goal 10 by promoting equality and inclusion
  • Support children with additional needs in a caring, inclusive learning setting
  • Help children build confidence and independence through daily activities
  • Join organised weekend trips to Cape Coast and the Volta Region
  • Experience Ghanaian culture through evening drumming and dancing activities
    • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Groups

    About the program

    Support children with physical and learning disabilities in Ghana through daily care, wellbeing, development, and inclusive learning activities.

    Background to the Disabled Children Program

    As in many developing countries, Ghana continues to face challenges in providing specialist educational support and resources for children with disabilities. Schools and care centres often work with limited funding, large class sizes, and restricted access ...

    About the program

    Background to the Disabled Children Program

    As in many developing countries, Ghana continues to face challenges in providing specialist educational support and resources for children with disabilities. Schools and care centres often work with limited funding, large class sizes, and restricted access to equipment or specialist training.

    This program supports local initiatives by offering extra assistance within special education settings, where children benefit from more one-to-one attention, social interaction, and structured activities. As a disabled children volunteer in Ghana, your contribution helps local staff create a more engaging and supportive environment while encouraging children to develop confidence, communication skills, and independence.

    Volunteers are not required to have professional experience in special education or care work. The most important qualities are enthusiasm, patience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. By supporting local staff and forming positive relationships with the children, volunteers help contribute to a caring, inclusive, and encouraging learning environment.

    Disabled Children Volunteer Placement Example

    At New Horizon Special Needs School, volunteers support children with a wide range of physical, developmental, and learning disabilities within a structured classroom environment in Accra. The school is located in Cantonments, approximately 25 to 30 minutes from the volunteer accommodation.

    As a volunteer in Ghana, you may assist teachers and caregivers with literacy and numeracy activities, arts and crafts, music sessions, storytelling, sensory activities, and light physical exercises adapted to each child’s abilities. Volunteers may also help prepare learning materials, organise activities, assist during mealtimes, and provide general classroom support throughout the day.

    The environment is nurturing, inclusive, and supportive, with volunteers encouraged to bring positive energy, creativity, and patience to each session. Building meaningful relationships with the children and supporting their daily progress is an important part of the volunteer experience.

    Other Things to Consider as a Volunteer in Ghana

    Project Flexibility - As with many volunteer programs in Ghana, this project may offer the flexibility to combine multiple placements. When applying, select your preferred start date and the duration for your first project. If you would like to add extra weeks, please mention this in your application, along with the project you would like to extend onto.

    Cultural Differences - Volunteers should approach this program with an open mind and be prepared to adapt to cultural differences. Practices surrounding children’s rights and discipline in Ghana can differ greatly from Western norms.

    While mistreatment is never condoned, physical discipline is common in Ghana. This can be surprising or unsettling for some volunteers. It is important to remain open-minded, respect cultural norms, and work within the guidance provided during orientation. If you witness something concerning, speak with the local team so they can address the issue or provide clarity.

    Resources - At the disabled children project in Ghana, resources can be limited. Volunteers are encouraged to bring materials each day to support their activities and increase engagement. Preparing in advance will help you make the most of your experience as a disabled children volunteer in Ghana.

    Project Focus and Commitment - This placement can be both rewarding and emotionally demanding, as volunteers work closely with children who may have a wide range of physical, developmental, behavioural, and learning challenges. Progress can sometimes be gradual, and certain situations may require patience, resilience, and a calm approach.

    Volunteers should arrive with a genuine interest in supporting children with additional needs and be prepared to commit positively to the routines, structure, and responsibilities of the placement throughout their time in Ghana.

    Placement Settings - Volunteer opportunities are not offered in orphanages in any location. Studies have shown that volunteering in orphanages can unintentionally support a system that separates children from their families, placing them at greater risk of neglect and abuse. For this reason, orphanage placements are not supported.

    Instead, the focus is on alternative childcare settings where children come to and from the placement each day. These projects are safe, responsible, and carefully vetted, and they do not provide residential care. This allows volunteers to offer meaningful support to local staff while helping protect the safety and wellbeing of the children.

    Typical day

    Your Volunteer Role & Typical Work Day

    As a disabled children volunteer in Ghana, your role is to support local teachers and caregivers with the daily running of classroom activities and care routines. You’ll work directly with children during sessions while helping create a safe, positive, and ...

    Typical day

    Your Volunteer Role & Typical Work Day

    As a disabled children volunteer in Ghana, your role is to support local teachers and caregivers with the daily running of classroom activities and care routines. You’ll work directly with children during sessions while helping create a safe, positive, and structured environment.

    Volunteers usually take part in sessions Monday to Friday for around 3 to 5 hours per day. Volunteer work in Ghana typically takes place in the morning or early afternoon, depending on the school timetable and classroom needs.

    You may also spend time preparing activities, organising learning materials, setting up games or creative exercises, and supporting children during breaks and mealtimes. Each day can vary depending on the planned activities and the different needs of the children.

    Working alongside local teachers and caregivers, volunteers help encourage participation, confidence, social interaction, and engagement through activities adapted to each child’s individual abilities and development.

    Free-time activities

    Outside of volunteer hours, Ghana offers plenty of opportunities to relax, explore, and experience the country’s culture, nature, history, and local way of life. After a morning or early afternoon at the project, volunteers can enjoy a mix of social, cultural, and community activities during their ...

    Free-time activities

    Outside of volunteer hours, Ghana offers plenty of opportunities to relax, explore, and experience the country’s culture, nature, history, and local way of life. After a morning or early afternoon at the project, volunteers can enjoy a mix of social, cultural, and community activities during their free time.

    Evening activities may include fufu making, where volunteers learn how to prepare one of Ghana’s traditional dishes by pounding cassava and enjoying it with a flavourful soup. Cultural evenings, drumming, dancing, quiz nights, games nights, house karaoke, sunset hikes, visits to a local swimming pool, and community food distribution activities may also be available. These activities are a great way to connect with other volunteers, learn more about Ghanaian culture, and make the most of your time outside the placement.

    Weekends give volunteers the chance to travel further and discover more of Ghana. One popular option is Cape Coast, known for its beaches, history, and coastal atmosphere. Volunteers can walk the canopy bridges at Kakum National Park, visit Cape Coast Castle to learn about the history of the slave trade, relax by the beach in Butre, try surfing at Busua Beach, and experience local fishing activities.

    For those interested in wildlife, Mole National Park offers the chance to visit Ghana’s largest wildlife reserve. Volunteers may spot elephants, antelope, baboons, and warthogs on guided jeep and walking safaris, enjoy a canoe ride, visit nearby waterfalls, and relax at a lodge overlooking the savannah.

    The Volta Region is another rewarding weekend option, offering lush landscapes, peaceful villages, waterfalls, hiking routes, scenic viewpoints, and natural pools. It is ideal for volunteers who enjoy nature, outdoor activities, and quieter surroundings away from the city.

    Volunteers can also visit Ada Foah, a relaxed coastal destination where the Volta River meets the Atlantic Ocean. This area is perfect for a peaceful weekend by the water, with opportunities for boat rides, kayaking, beach time, fresh seafood, and sunset views.

    Another cultural option is Kumasi, the historic capital of the Ashanti Kingdom. This trip offers the chance to learn more about Ghana’s heritage through visits to Manhyia Palace Museum, Kejetia Market, kente weaving centres, and cultural sites linked to Ashanti traditions.

    Whether you prefer beaches, wildlife, history, culture, hiking, or relaxed social evenings, free time in Ghana gives volunteers the chance to experience the country beyond the placement while building friendships and creating lasting memories.

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    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.

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    If you are under 18 you must ensure you have your guardians permission before you join this programme. You should also be physically fit, as volunteering overseas can be quite strenuous. If you have any medical/mental health conditions that may affect your participation overseas then these must be declared to us during your online application.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    • Accommodation 
    • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
    • Airport Pick Up
    • In-Country Orientation
    • 24 Hour Support

    Airport Pickup at Kotoka International Airport

    You should arrive into Kotoka International Airport in Accra (airport code ACC) on the Sunday start date. Airport pickup is available 24 hours on your arrival day.

    On arrival, a member of the local team or an appointed driver will be waiting for you at the airport holding a sign with your name. They will take you straight to the volunteer accommodation, where you can relax and settle in. The accommodation is around 35 minutes away from the airport.

    Accommodation

    Volunteers in Ghana stay in a shared Volunteer House located in a friendly neighbourhood, approximately 45 minutes from Accra city centre. The surrounding area has access to restaurants, convenience stores and ATMs in the town centre, with a small shop also located close to the accommodation. The local community is warm and welcoming, helping volunteers settle into life in Ghana.

    The Volunteer House is simple, social and comfortable, offering shared same-sex rooms with bunk beds for up to 6 people. Rooms are air-conditioned, and each volunteer is provided with bed linen and a mosquito net. Bathrooms are shared and include western-style toilets and showers with cold water, which can feel refreshing in Ghana’s warm climate.

    Each volunteer is provided with a locker for storing small valuables and important items. Volunteers are encouraged to keep valuables locked away when not in use. The house also has communal spaces where volunteers can relax after their placement, including a lounge, TV area and outdoor seating area. Wi-Fi is available at the accommodation, although it can sometimes be intermittent.

    The house includes a refrigerator for storing food items, though electricity can occasionally be affected by power cuts. Volunteers can hand-wash their clothes or use nearby laundry services. The accommodation is gated and secure, with an on-site local coordinator available to provide support and guidance throughout the stay.

    Volunteers should be aware that power cuts and water shortages can happen in Ghana. While backup measures are in place, temporary outages may occur, so flexibility and adaptability are important.

    Food & Beverages

    Volunteers in Ghana are provided with three meals per day during their stay. Breakfast and dinner are served at the Volunteer House, while lunch is usually prepared as a packed meal to take to the placement. Packet filtered water is also available at the accommodation for volunteers.

    Meals in Ghana are typically simple, filling, and carbohydrate-based. Common ingredients may include rice, noodles, bread, cereals, spaghetti, yams, fufu, soup, stew, eggs, chicken, and fish. Chicken, fish, and goat are among the most common meats, while pork, lamb, and beef are less widely available and can be more expensive.

    Fresh dairy products such as milk and cheese are not as common as they may be in some Western countries. Most milk is usually tinned, so volunteers should be prepared for some differences in diet and availability. It is recommended to approach local food with an open mind and allow a few days to adjust to the meals.

    Example meals may include bread, cereals, milk, spreads, pancakes, tea, or coffee for breakfast. Lunch may include noodles, rice, or sandwiches. Dinner may include rice, chicken, eggs, spaghetti, stew, yams, fufu, or soup.

    Volunteers who would like occasional home comforts can find Western, Chinese, and Indian restaurants approximately 45 minutes from the Volunteer House. Details about local restaurant options are usually shared during orientation.

    Dietary requirements should be mentioned in advance and repeated again on arrival. Efforts are made to cater for different dietary needs where possible, but this cannot always be guaranteed. Volunteers with specific requirements may need to buy additional ingredients at their own expense.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ghana. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    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. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Ghana you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Ghana. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    This program starts on the 1st & 3rd Sunday of every month

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $245 per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES

    Duration

    2 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.

    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
    4.9
    Travelers’ Choice
    One of the most loved volunteer experiences, according to travelers

    Location

    Africa > Western Africa > Ghana > Accra

    Meet your project coordinator

    Josh
    1850
    reviews
    4.89
    Excellent
    2011
    Founded

    Verified

      Very high response rate
    Spoken languages: English
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    You might also be interested in

    Volunteer Abroad  >  Education  >  Special Needs in Ghana
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