vanaf 867€

Uitstekend 4.8rating (859)

Ghana Childcare Volunteers

location
4 - 12 weken  ·  Leeftijd 17 - 50+

rating  Uitstekend 4.8  · 
  Geverifieerd door Volunteer World
  Uitstekend Responsgraad

Hoogste Kwaliteit Vrijwilligersproject. Dit project biedt de hoogste kwaliteit die normen stelt - ver boven het gemiddelde.

Highlights

  • 80% of PMGY volunteers are 17-22 years old
  • Plan fun activities and make a positive impact within the projects in Kumasi
  • Bring bundles of energy & enthusiasm to underprivileged children
  • Structured weekend trips to Cape Coast & Mole National Park
  • Embrace Ghanaian culture with drumming & dancing evening activities

Vooral geschikt voor

Leeftijd 17+
Alleenstaanden
Groepen

Over het programma

This is the perfect role for someone with a big heart and the desire to do something meaningful.

Like so many developing nations, Ghana has a large number of children who find themselves in the care of an orphanage. Not all children at the orphanages have lost their parents, some arrive from abusive homes and others are taken into care as their parents cannot afford to look after them. The ...

Over het programma

Like so many developing nations, Ghana has a large number of children who find themselves in the care of an orphanage. Not all children at the orphanages have lost their parents, some arrive from abusive homes and others are taken into care as their parents cannot afford to look after them. The orphanage is basic, under resourced and in need of volunteers assistance.

The children will have their food and accommodation provided for them, but with limited staff resources, it is individual attention that the little ones crave so much. Providing the children with the essential skills in life will help them on their way to successful futures free from poverty and filled with the same opportunities as others. As a volunteer you will become a big brother or sister to the children. You will work alongside local staff to assist with teaching the children, general childcare and the daily operational running of the orphanage.

We also encourage volunteers to initiate their own activities by organising structured activities and games for the children.

PMGY volunteers are placed at Kumasi Children’s Home. The Kumasi Children’s Home was established in 1965 by a private organisation and later became a government run organisation. It is currently home to around 100 children. The children are split into three different blocks – the girls house, the boys house and the disabled childrens house.

Many of the children arrive at a very young age, as their mothers die in childbirth and have no one to look after them. However, the home also accepts abandoned children, street children and children of unstable parents. They even occasionally care for children whose families are travelling. Generally speaking ages can range anywhere from newborn babies to upper teens.

The children stay at the home for varying lengths of time depending on their situation. The home is now run and supervised primarily by the Department of Social Welfare and their supervisor is a government employee. Though the government pays the wages of most of the workers, much of the home’s funding still comes from other sources. Catholic Relief Services provides a substantial amount of funding each year, and additional support comes from cash and in-kind donations from private citizens and organisations.

This role is perfect for someone with a big heart and who has the desire to do something meaningful with their time abroad. Working in an orphanage will require heaps of patience and a real sense of self-direction. Your level of impact is based on your willingness and pro-activeness to get involved and make the most of your time. Experience of working with children is not necessary but it does help.

Essential Programme Information

As for all our volunteer programmes in Ghana, it is possible to combine multiple projects during your time with us. If this is something you’d like to do, then please apply for the main programme you’d like to take part in but also outline in your online application the details of the other projects you’d like to do. Our local team will finalise the details of your placements during your in-country orientation.

For the majority of our programmes you can apply at any time. However, we advise that you apply as soon as possible to ensure we have availability on the programme – particularly if you’re looking to travel between June and August, as spaces can fill up very quickly during this period.

It is best that you apply sooner rather than later as some of our programmes only have a limited capacity and spaces get filled very quickly. 

Travel tips

You should arrive into Kotoka International Airport in Accra (airport code ACC) on the selected Sunday start date. Programmes start on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month. You will be met at the airport by one of our local staff or an appointed driver who will be holding a named sign. They will take you to your accommodation where you will spend the rest of your day at leisure. The programme ends on the Sunday of your final week and you should depart the accommodation on this day.

Can I use this program as part of a university or college placement? 

It is certainly possible to use one of PMGY’s programmes as part of your university or college placement. Project staff can sign off any paperwork required by your course tutors. PMGY regularly receives medical, childcare, psychology and nursing placement students at our projects around the world and we have ties with some of the leading universities.

If you’re a course tutor and would like further information about how one of PMGY’s programmes could meet the placement requirements for your degree course then please contact us directly.

Is it safe to travel to PMGY destinations?

Although our volunteers work in the developing world, we always ensure our host locations are safe. Each programme has been extensively researched and has passed our strict vetting process. Our UK team undergo an extensive routine when establishing our in-country infrastructures and we continue to monitor our safety procedures on a regular basis. Furthermore, we monitor the stability of our volunteer destinations on a daily basis. Through our constant contact with consulates and embassies and our reports from our overseas teams, we are able to ensure that our volunteers are never placed in unstable regions.

The PMGY team have visited and participated in every programme we offer and verified them based on our own independent criteria. We carefully inspect every little detail of our set-up. From inspecting the living conditions, checking out the neighbourhoods you’ll be staying in, to tasting the food you’ll be eating – each and every programme we establish has gone through a lengthy and rigorous vetting process. Risk assessments have been written for all areas in which PMGY operate and our experienced local coordinators are always on-hand to manage any emergencies that may occur. Our UK team are always on the road reviewing our risk management procedures in the field and monitoring local conditions. 

In emergency situations we have the necessary protocols and equipment in place and we are able to evacuate our volunteers from potential dangers. Our local coordinators are trained to deal with emergency circumstances. 

When you join PMGY we will send you a Volunteer Handbook. This document addresses a range of issues such as health, safety, visa issues etc. Furthermore, our UK team are only ever a phone call away should you wish to discuss any aspect of your upcoming programme. When you arrive in-country, you’ll be given a comprehensive safety briefing during your orientation course by our local coordinators. We will go through everything from emergency procedures, how to use local transport and cultural differences. You’ll also be given the opportunity to purchase a local SIM card, something we strongly suggest, so you’re contactable at all times. We will provide you with a full list of the important contact numbers that you’ll need to know.

All our local teams are experienced development professionals who have years of experience in hosting international volunteers. They are our representatives on the ground and will assist you 24/7 throughout your stay. Whether you need to call home, travel at the weekend or require urgent assistance – they are there to support you.

While we cannot guarantee your volunteer experience to be 100% trouble free we have taken all the necessary precautions to make sure each programme is as safe as possible.



Dagelijkse activiteiten

Volunteers are encouraged to get involved with as many as the day to day activities that an orphanage of 100 children plus brings. This includes daily care and interaction with the children and spending time in the playground area to the more mundane but essential tasks such as cleaning, feeding and ...

Dagelijkse activiteiten

Volunteers are encouraged to get involved with as many as the day to day activities that an orphanage of 100 children plus brings. This includes daily care and interaction with the children and spending time in the playground area to the more mundane but essential tasks such as cleaning, feeding and washing. Doing these tasks with a positive and pro-active attitude is not only a great help to the children and their hygiene; it will also help build rapport and respect with the local staff who commit there time and devotion to the orphanage too.

It is very important that volunteers join this programme with an open mind and understanding of cultural differences. Children’s rights and the methods of discipline used often greatly differ from what is the norm in the UK. Although mistreatment of children is never condoned volunteers should be aware that physical discipline does happen in Ghana. This can be quite shocking, but it is important to remember that physical discipline is commonplace throughout Ghana.

We therefore believe it is best for volunteers to be open minded on arrival and come with limited expectations. You are there to help and make a difference, but this is done in a framework where there are rules to follow and cultures to abide by. Our local team will brief you on these issues during your in-country orientation, so that you are fully prepared for your placement. If you see something that you believe is not right then please do approach our local team who can aim to resolve or give clarity on the issue.


Vrijetijdsactiviteiten

PMGY volunteers are based in a friendly neighbourhood of Ghana’s second city, Kumasi. The volunteer house is a 45-minute drive into Kumasi city centre, which is still dripping with Ashanti traditions and has some interesting sights.

Kumasi is still the heart of Ashanti country and the site of West ...

Vrijetijdsactiviteiten

PMGY volunteers are based in a friendly neighbourhood of Ghana’s second city, Kumasi. The volunteer house is a 45-minute drive into Kumasi city centre, which is still dripping with Ashanti traditions and has some interesting sights.

Kumasi is still the heart of Ashanti country and the site of West Africa’s largest cultural centre, the palace of the Ashanti king. The city is surrounded by rolling green hills and has a vast and vibrant central market.

Close to the market is the city’s National Cultural Centre which encompasses a museum of Ashanti history and you can even try your hand at traditional dance and drumming classes!


Voorwaarden

Voorwaarden

Minimum leeftijd: 17 jaar

Om deel te nemen aan het programma dien je ten minste 17 jaar te zijn op de startdatum van het programma.

Taalkennis

Je dient over volgende taalkennis te beschikken Engels (gemiddeld niveau)

Bewijs van goed gedrag en zeden

verplicht

Nationaliteitsbeperkingen

Geen beperkingen. Helpende handen van over de hele wereld zijn welkom.

Andere vaardigheden

You need to have experience in childcare. 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.

Tijdsinzet

Uw helpende hand wordt verwacht op maandag, dinsdag, woensdag, donderdag en vrijdag

Diensten ingesloten

Diensten ingesloten

Diensten door Plan My Gap Year

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

Afhaal aan de luchthaven op Kumasi Airport

You should arrive into Kotoka International Airport (airport code ACC) on the Sunday. The airport pickup is available 24 hours. 

On arrival, a member of our local team will be at the waiting area for you holding a PMGY Ghana sign. They will drive you straight to our partner hotel where you can relax and settle in. The hotel is around 15 minutes away from the airport.

Accomodatie

Your first night in Ghana will be spent at a hostel near to Kotoka International Airport in Accra. Our partner hostel offers basic but comfortable accommodation. You will share a room with fellow volunteers. Rooms are air conditioned here. A member of the PMGY Ghana team will also stay at the hostel to ensure you have 24/7 support and will travel with you to Kumasi the following day.

During your time with PMGY in Ghana you will live in our Volunteer House located in a friendly neighbourhood, 45 minutes drive from Kumasi city centre. You will find restaurants, convenience stores and ATMs in the centre of town. There is a small shop opposite the Volunteer House. The local community are extremely friendly. As soon as you step out of the house you’ll be greeted by smiling children! Just one of the amazing experiences you’ll have with PMGY in Ghana.

The accommodation is basic but comfortable with free Wi-Fi. Each room has bunk beds with up to 6 people per room in same-sex rooms. Volunteers are provided with fans in the room and their own mosquito net and bed linen. Bathrooms are shared, have a shower and western style toilet. The water is cold but this shouldn’t be a problem as Ghana is hot all year-round!

The house has free Wi-Fi (although intermittent) and a communal area for volunteers to hang out. There is a lounge, TV and DVD player and an outside seating area. Volunteers are welcome to use the kitchen to prepare meals or even help out when meals are being prepared. We also have a refrigerator where you can store your personal food items but please remember this is dependent on electricity and power cuts can be a frequent occurrence in Ghana!

Clothes can be hand-washed or you request a local maid to wash them for you. Living in the PMGY Volunteer House offers a great social experience. Volunteers are given their own privacy and locks to their rooms, so it is a very laid-back atmosphere.

A member of our local team will also live at the house. The house is gated and secure and our local coordinator lives on-site ensuring you have around the clock support and security.  

Please note that power cuts and water shortages are very common in Ghana. Whilst we have backup measures to combat this, there maybe times where the power cuts out or there is no water for a while so its important to be aware of this in advance.

During our busiest months (June to September) you may be placed at alternative accommodation. This could be a nearby guesthouse or one of our summer Volunteer Houses.

Eten & Drank

Volunteers will be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner every day during their time with PMGY. Breakfast and dinner are served at the Volunteer House, whereas for lunch we provide you with a packed lunch or the project may provide you with lunch.

Pork, lamb and beef are difficult to source in Ghana and usually quite expensive. The main meat is chicken, fish and goat. There is also a real lack of fresh dairy products, so you should be prepared to live without milk and cheese etc. Most milk is tinned.

There are a number of western restaurants around a 45 minute drive out from the accommodation should you fancy picking up some home comforts. There are also some Chinese and Indian restaurants in Kumasi. Our local team will tell you all about the options available to you during your in-country orientation.

Please note most meals will incorporate lots of carbs and not so much dairy or meat compared to the UK so please be open minded around this! It may take you a few days for your body to accustom to the local food as well.

* Please inform us in your application if you have any dietary requirements. Furthermore, meals on the Sunday arrival date are NOT included, so please budget between £5 to £10 for this.

Internet toegang

Makkelijke toegang op de project site

Wat is er NIET inbegrepen?

Wat is er NIET inbegrepen?

Vlucht tickets

De dichtste luchthaven is Kumasi Airport (KMS) in Kumasi. We assisteren u met het vinden van goedkope vluchten naar Ghana. VIND GOEDKOPE VLUCHTEN

Reisverzekering

Naar het buitenland reizen is een avontuur en het is best om goed voorbereid te zijn. Plots ziek worden of gewond raken, annulaties of diefstal - een reisverzekering voor Ghana biedt zekerheid en is een meerwaarde. KRIJG EEN OFFERTE

Vaccinaties

Als je de intentie hebt om als vrijwilliger aan de slag te gaan in Ghana dien je eerst medisch advies in te winnen alvorens je eropuit trekt. Kijk de benodigde vaccinaties na voor Ghana. VACCINATIE CHECKER

Gegevens over jouw aankomst

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

Beschikbaarheid
jan. feb. mrt. apr. mei. jun. jul. aug. sep. okt. nov. dec.

Programmakosten

4 weken (min. verblijf) 867€
6 weken 1.129€
8 weken 1.391€
10 weken 1.653€
12 weken (max. verblijf) 1.915€
Gemiddelde kosten 188€/week

Programmakosten

188€ per week 4 - 12 weken Leeftijd 17 - 50+

Betaalmethodes

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

GEEN CREDITCARDKOSTEN


Duurtijd

4 - 12 weken

Waarborg

De waarborg dient om je plek als vrijwilliger te verzekeren. Betalingen worden door PayPal behandeld, onze betrouwbare betalingsprovider. Indien je niet over een PayPal account beschikt, kan je ook met een credit kaart betalen.


Finale betaling

Uw finale betaling zal worden goedgekeurd door Plan My Gap Year gedurende de aanmeld procedure. Veel voorkomende oplossingen zijn een banktransfer of contante betaling op de projectsite.


Ontmoet je organisatie

Plan My Gap Year

Uitstekend 4.8 rating (859 beoordelingen)

Agentschap - opgericht in 2011

Geverifieerd door Volunteer World

  Uitstekend Responsgraad

Gepresenteerd door

Josh

Gesproken talen: Engels

Over de organisatie

Plan My Gap Year is an award-winning international volunteer placement organisation based in the UK.

Ontmoet je organisatie

Plan My Gap Year is an award-winning international volunteer placement organisation based in the UK. We provide safe, affordable, need-driven volunteer programmes from 1 to 24 weeks in 11 countries worldwide.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US…

Founded by volunteers for volunteers, Plan My Gap Year works with local communities in the developing world towards long-term sustainable goals. We know there is no better way to travel and make a positive impact on the world.

We work extremely hard to ensure that our opportunities are affordable for everyone who wants to make a difference. So fees are 100% transparent, something our volunteers really appreciate.

Plan My Gap Year structured programmes create the perfect platform for you to see the world, meet like-minded people and engage in meaningful volunteer work. We have teams in the UK and in our host destinations who will support you 24/7 throughout your time with us. Furthermore, every project on our network is regularly risk-assessed by our UK team to ensure our set up is safe and that our volunteers are making a positive impact.

There is also a great social element to our programmes. Plan My Gap Year puts you in touch with all your fellow volunteers via Facebook before you set off. Our projects receive volunteers from around the world throughout the year, so even if you’re travelling solo, you’re going to meet heaps of people along the way. Plus you’ll have plenty of opportunity to travel the country with your newfound travel buddies – it’s all part of the PMGY experience!

So if you’re thinking of doing something a bit different on your next trip abroad, then why not drop us a line and find out what extraordinary things you could be doing.

AFFORDABLE & TRANSPARENT FEES

Our aim is to make our programmes accessible to motivated travellers irrespective of their financial capacity. Plan My Gap Year focuses on providing the core requirements of a volunteer programme: safety, structure and sustainability.

We are 100% transparent with our fees. That way you know exactly how much of your money goes towards the local community.

Compared to the large majority of volunteer organisations out there, even most charities and not-for-profits, PMGY’s opportunities are significantly cheaper. Furthermore, as our reviews will testify, our support service and structured programmes are second to none.

SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT

Your safety is our top priority. All of Plan My Gap Years' programmes have been personally inspected and vetted by the PMGY team – which is not an industry standard by any means. We carry out independent risk assessments on an annual basis and our local teams constantly review the safety precautions we implement. This includes regular staff and safety appraisals.

 Our local teams are made up of highly experienced volunteer coordinators. They have hosted international volunteers for many years and are prepared to react in the unlikely event of an emergency. Whatever the problem, big or small, our local teams are available around the clock.

As part of our commitment to your safety, we keep in constant communication with local embassies and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to ensure we can identify potentially dangerous situations and act upon them immediately. Our UK team are available 24/7 to assist volunteers and their families.

TRAINING & SUPPORT

We support our volunteers every step of the way. Before you go we will provide you with a detailed Volunteer Handbook, which will guide you through how to prepare for your trip. This Handbook contains literally everything you need to know – from what to pack, to how to obtain a visa, to local language guides.

Our experienced UK team are always available to provide assistance. Plan My Gap Year is always available to answer our questions and support you in anyway we can. 

On arrival, a member of our in-country team will collect you from the airport and help you settle in. Your orientation course will teach you everything you need to know about the country, how to stay safe and what to expect from your upcoming volunteer experience. 

Our local team are on-call 24/7. Whether you’ve lost your passport or just want some help in planning a weekend trip, our friendly in-country coordinators provide that safety net to ensure you are well looked after.

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

Plan My Gap Years' responsibility is not limited to our travellers but also the projects we support. That is why all our volunteers must provide a Criminal Background Check before they travel.

It is essential that our projects are need-driven and sustainable. We work closely with our local partners to ensure that our volunteers are contributing to bring about long-term development.

PERSONAL TOUCH

We really know our programmes. Our UK team have stayed in the accommodation, volunteered at the projects and met the volunteers. We carefully assess each application we receive so that your personality and skills are suited to the project. Whatever your query, you can feel assured that you will be speaking to someone who can tell you exactly what to expect.

HAVING FUN

One of the best aspects of volunteering is meeting some amazing like-minded people. We place over 2,000 volunteers every year so wherever and whenever you go, you have the peace of mind in knowing you will be living and working alongside other PMGY volunteers. In many of our destinations, we run our own Volunteer House accommodation, which ensures all volunteers live together, and therefore guaranteeing a strong social element. In addition, our local team are always there to help you plan any independent travel or give you some tips for what to do at the weekend.

859 beoordelingen · rating4.8

Charlotte Whitfield rating4.8

2023 at Ghana Childcare Volunteers

Absolutely amazing experience i would recommend it to anyone. The coordinators in the volunteer house and all the people there make you feel so at home and put you at so much ease. The projects are really insightful, the childcare programme was amazing, the kids at the school are the best. Overall ...
Amelia Harbutt rating5

2023 at Ghana Childcare Volunteers

I just finished 2 weeks doing the childcare project in Ghana and it was the most amazing experience :) Seth, Kelvin, all the people at the house and the drivers are so welcoming and make you feel so safe. It’s like a family as soon as you step off the plane :) The orphanage was definitely a new ...
Julia Leutwyler rating5

2023 at Ghana Childcare Volunteers

I had the loveliest time in Ghana! The people in Ghana are just amazing! They are so warmhearted and open! Being at the house always felt like being with family. The projects are very interesting as well and also quite flexible, which is great for getting another inside view into the different ...
Catarina Lopes rating5

2023 at Ghana Childcare Volunteers

I really liked the fact that the volunteers are able to live with a local family and are inserted in Ghana’s culture and traditions. Besides that, it was very gratifying to teach young children and understanding more about their academic ...
Kyla Abner rating5

2023 at Ghana Childcare Volunteers

The 2 weeks i just spent in Ghana were filled of some of the best memories i have ever made. The team at the house are some of the most welcoming, friendly and accommodating people i have ever met, they are able to cater to every need whether that be a specific meal for dinner or to take you ...
Loren Blake rating5

2023 at Ghana Childcare Volunteers

This has been an absolutely fantastic, life changing experience! Being my first time going abroad by myself it was slightly daunting but the PMGY team is there to support you all the way through. There is plenty of opportunities to spend time at your project but also to have fun and experience the ...

Plaats

Afrika > West-Afrika > Ghana > Kumasi

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