By volunteering, you directly address this gap. Your presence accelerates children’s confidence and competence in English — even simple day-to-day conversations can have a profound impact. We consistently see improvements within a single term when volunteers provide regular exposure to English: children begin speaking more freely, participating in lessons, and gaining the confidence they need to succeed academically.

Beyond individual progress, your support also lightens the load on overstretched teachers and brings fresh approaches to the classroom. You become part of a larger effort to give children the best possible chance to reach their goals as they grow into young adults.

• Shared volunteer accommodation in a modern house in semi-rural Kwahu with views of surrounding forests. Utilities such as electricity, running water, and kitchen facilities are provided.

• Airport pickup on arrival.

• Pre-departure support and access to our volunteer portal.

• 24/7 in-country support, with a local team member living on-site or nearby depending on volunteer numbers.

Your contribution directly sustains this support structure, enabling us to employ local staff and ensure volunteers have safe, comfortable living conditions.

Getting to Your Placement

We work with a network of local and nearby schools. Volunteers generally use shared taxis to travel to their placement, which are readily available and affordable. Our team will guide you on routes, group transport, and local tips. After school, volunteers can easily reach town to shop, meet friends, or explore the area.

Your Role

During your orientation, we will discuss your experience and comfort level to find the best fit. Depending on your background, you may:

• Support as a Teaching Assistant – Helping the class teacher manage lessons, working with small groups or individuals, and providing extra support where needed.

• Lead Your Own Lessons – For confident or experienced volunteers, introducing your own activities and guiding the class through English lessons.

For younger children, this typically means teaching basic reading, writing, and phonics. For older children, you’ll focus on expanding vocabulary, grammar, and conversational confidence. Even casual conversations during break times offer a fantastic cultural exchange, exposing children to new accents and ideas and accelerating their learning.

We encourage volunteers to use evenings and weekends to plan the next day’s lessons and to bring English into other subjects such as creative arts — making posters, displays, or games that brighten classrooms and provide ongoing learning resources.

Building meaningful relationships is at the heart of this placement. We work hard to ensure volunteers are integrated into the life of the school rather than just “visiting” it. This approach benefits not only the children, but also the teachers and you as a volunteer, helping you gain a deeper understanding of Ghanaian education and culture.

• With Local Teachers – You will be paired with a class teacher or subject teacher who becomes your day-to-day point of contact. Together you will plan lessons, share ideas, and adapt activities for the class’s needs. This collaborative approach allows you to learn from their experience of teaching in Ghana while they benefit from your fresh perspectives and resources. Over time, you’ll build mutual respect and trust, making it easier to introduce new teaching methods or activities.

• With School Leadership – Headteachers and senior staff are actively involved in welcoming volunteers. They oversee your placement, answer questions about school policies, and ensure that your role complements the school’s goals. Regular check-ins give you a chance to discuss challenges, celebrate successes, and adjust your timetable if necessary.

• With Other Volunteers – When numbers permit, we place volunteers in small groups at the same school or nearby projects. Working alongside others fosters a sense of teamwork and shared learning. Volunteers often swap lesson plans, co-run after-school clubs, or partner up for small-group support. This camaraderie provides an extra layer of support and makes the experience more rewarding.

• With Our Local Team – A member of our staff visits each project regularly and is always available to mediate, advise, or help implement new ideas. They can assist with cultural nuances, suggest low-cost teaching resources, or simply act as a sounding board if you need reassurance. Because many of our team members live in the same communities, they also help you connect with local families and traditions beyond the school gates.

• With the Community – It’s common for volunteers to be invited to teachers’ homes or local events as a gesture of appreciation. Sharing meals, attending festivals, or taking part in community activities helps you gain a richer perspective on Ghanaian life and builds bonds that often last well beyond your placement.

This network of relationships means you’re never working in isolation. You become part of a team—teachers, headteachers, fellow volunteers, and our local staff—all united in the shared goal of improving educational opportunities for children.

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds, and no formal teaching qualification is required. What matters most is your willingness to contribute, your openness to learning, and your respect for the community you’re joining.

We ask volunteers to bring the following qualities:

• Enthusiasm & Energy – A positive attitude goes a long way in the classroom. Even small efforts—like smiling, greeting children warmly, or trying a local greeting—can transform your experience.

• Flexibility & Adaptability – Class schedules, lesson topics, or school events can change at short notice. Being open-minded and patient ensures you’ll get the most from your placement.

• Empathy & Cultural Sensitivity – Remember you’re a guest in the community. Being respectful of local customs, dress codes, and teaching methods helps build trust and makes your contribution more effective.

• Reliability & Commitment – Children thrive on consistency. We ask volunteers to attend their placements Monday to Friday (with occasional flexibility for travel or illness) so students can build a routine and benefit from your presence.

• Initiative & Creativity – You’ll often have the freedom to suggest or lead activities. Taking initiative—planning a game, preparing a simple experiment, or creating a visual aid—can make a huge difference.

In return, you’ll gain practical classroom experience, cross-cultural skills, and the satisfaction of knowing you’ve contributed meaningfully to the education of Ghanaian children. By approaching your placement with professionalism and an open heart, you help create an environment where both you and the students can grow.

We are available any time, day or night, to support you—whether you’d like help organising an after-school club, adjusting your placement, or planning weekend travel. Our local team at the volunteer house is also happy to share insights into the area and Ghanaian life.

From the moment you express interest in volunteering until the day you return home, our team is here to walk alongside you. We know that travelling to a new country to volunteer can be exciting but also a little daunting, and we see it as our responsibility to ensure you feel supported, informed, and welcomed at every stage.

• Before You Arrive – You’ll receive clear pre-departure information, access to our volunteer portal, and direct communication with our team. We’ll help you prepare for your placement, advise on what to pack, answer cultural questions, and assist with travel planning.

• Arrival & Orientation – A member of our team will meet you at the airport and accompany you to the volunteer house. We provide an in-country orientation to introduce you to Ghanaian culture, the local area, and your placement school. This includes practical information, safety guidance, and an overview of your role so you feel ready and confident from day one.

• During Your Placement – You’ll never be left on your own to figure things out. Our local support team lives on-site or nearby and is available 24/7 for questions, emergencies, or simply to chat. A staff member visits schools regularly to check on your progress, help you resolve challenges, and ensure you have everything you need to succeed. If you’d like to organise an after-school club, change your placement, or explore new teaching ideas, we’ll guide you step by step.

• Beyond the Classroom – We’re also here to help you get the most out of your time in Ghana outside school hours. Our team can advise on weekend trips, local events, and cultural experiences. We want you to feel at home and to see the richness of Ghanaian life, not just the inside of a classroom.

• Continuous Support & Feedback – We keep open channels of communication so you can give feedback on your experience and we can continually improve. Your input helps shape the way we run our programmes and ensures that future volunteers and partner schools benefit from your insights.

Local supplies are limited, so we recommend bringing items to enrich your lessons and engage students:

• Teaching Aids – Flashcards, phonics cards, reading books, and grammar games.

• Arts & Crafts Materials – Markers, coloured pencils, glue, scissors, craft paper for creative activities.

• Printable Resources – Download worksheets, activities or posters before arrival, as internet access can be intermittent.

Basic stationery and photocopying are available locally, but specialty resources will make your lessons stand out and support the children’s learning long after you leave.

If your placement coincides with school holidays, we organise holiday schools at one of our partner institutions. Volunteers work together to run informal sessions such as arts, reading, English, sports and games. This provides continuity for students and valuable childcare support for parents working in farming or trading.

School holidays typically occur around Easter, August, and Christmas. Exact dates vary, and our team will advise you as they are announced. Leading up to vacation periods, you may also help with exams, invigilation, or support on our other community projects.