Plastic Upcycling & Community Cleanup

Non-profit
·
founded in 2017
Sam
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Coordinator | Sam
Coordinator | Sam
Reserve com a Flex Option! Escolha novas datas de partida ou mude para um programa de voluntariado diferente, sem custos adicionais.

Destaques

Join the fight against plastic waste to enhance the communities, environment and local wildlife.
Produce and create upcycled items using waste plastic along with ecobricks to use in sustainable community projects.
Gain a new family, living in shared volunteer housing gives you the perfect chance to make life long friends across the globe.
Make unforgettabe memories travelling with your fellow volunteers at weekends to places such as Mole Safari Park, Cape Coast Castle & Boti Waterfall.
Explore the surrounding rainforests and mountains in your free time along with the rural Ghanaian way of life and it's laid back, friendly atmosphere.
Help the fight against plastic waste by community cleanups, producing ecobricks and creating upcycled products from plastic waste. This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Solteiros
Casais
Famílias
Grupos
50+

About The Placement

Join the fight against plastic to enhance and improve the local environment. Arranging community cleanups and collection points from a rural waste management service struggling to keep up with demand, producing ecobricks to use in school and community projects such as seating, buildings and greenhouses alongside creating and implementing upcycled items using waste plastics. All whilst joining in on the education campaign side of things to demonstrate and explain to local communities and schools just how damaging the current situation is and why it is so important to reuse and recycle.


Why This Placement?

Single use plastics are a major issue in Ghana and across West Africa. With a large part of the population living under the poverty line, companies opt for single use plastics to maintain lower price points. There is also a lack of knowledge and understanding on just how much impact plastics and waste are having on the environment and why it is so important we act now in our fight against plastic waste. The attitudes across the regions are starting to be more environmentally friendly focused with some companies and government schemes highlighting these issues however with everything in Ghana, at it's current pace it will take a long time before the impact is truly felt and understood in our rural areas.
The plastic waste in question also has a huge impact on a choked waste water system, the towns that are lucky to have gutter systems in our areas are often open and these cause the plastic rubbish to collect, cause blockages and therefore the perfect breeding ground for mosquitos. This then impacts the most vulnerable in the community who don't have access to mosquito screening etc to the health risks caused by malaria.
Also huge amount of plastic waste building up in the community rubbish dumps along with deforestation is having a massive impact on the health and variety of the local wildlife which then causes in some cases permanent damage to the fragile ecosystems.
After planning with our team and members of the local community we wanted to not only fight this plastic waste but to also produce useful and meaningful items with the waste! With research from partners across the country and Ghana we have setup an ecobrick chain working with local stores to collect the water bottles which in turn we will then use to the items collected in the community cleanups to produce these ecobricks which we will then use for community developement projects such as school buildings, seating and greenhouses to modernise small scale farming.

 

What Is Included In This Placement?

Support Staff - Accommodation - House Utility Bills - Pre Departure Support

We charge cost price for this project just so we can cover your stay and employ local support staff to increase loyal employment. This placement includes accommodation in a modern style house for the semi rural area of which we are based with great views and surroundings of the local towns and rainforest. All house utilities are included for your time, you will have use of the kitchen, electricity throughout the house and running water which is a luxury among the area of Kwahu. You will have a member of our local support team living in house or close by depending on the volunteer numbers so there is always someone on hand for any questions or support you may need.


How Do I Get To The Placement?

Budget an additional 10 - 40 Ghana cedis per day for transport costs.

We work with a number of schools within the local community and slightly further out. Volunteers will usually take taxis back and forth to their placement site. It is very easy to take shared taxis in town and they are very reasonably priced. Most of our schools will require volunteers to pay transport between 5 cedis and 40 cedis a day, with the average being about 10cedis. The more remote village schools are usually located down tracks and therefore cost a little bit more to reach. Our team will be able to assist volunteers group together for transport and where to find taxis etc. Volunteers are usually able to head off into the town after school easily to shop for food supplies, grab a cold drink or meet up with friends before heading home and the ease of taxis offer a really flexible experience for the volunteers.


What Will I Be Doing?

During your placement you will be scheduling and taking part in community cleanups and litter picks for part of the week. You will then be based in the volunteer accommodation or our workshop space to produce ecobricks and implement these projects where funds allow or help the team create and research items that can be produced and upcycled with the waste material collected. For those of you who also would like to be involved in the community outreach aspect we also arrange assemblies and demonstrations on plastic waste management and how everyone can get involved with the local schools and community groups. The placement is very flexible and the weekly timetable can be adjusted to suit your area of interest and passion along with combining with our other conservational projects across farming and agriculture.


Who Will I Be Working With?

You will usually be working alongside your fellow volunteers, support team or members of the community however for parts of the day you may be required to work independently.

A member of our volunteer support team will also visit you at your placement site periodically after the initial introduction to ensure you are getting on well and making an impact on site.


What Do We Expect From The Volunteers?

All we request is the passion and drive to make a difference with us, one step at a time. Being able to get involved and stuck in will help you much more with this project especially with the community cleanup days which can be tiring in the heat and humidity. The greatest traits of a volunteer are enthusiasm, empathetic and the ability to adjust to alternative cultures. You will get the most of our your trip by opening your mind to new experiences and beliefs whilst also bringing your own to the table.
We expect volunteers to visit their placements Monday - Friday, exceptions can be made for long weekends of travel etc but we hope for the children and yourselves to get the most of your placement this is kept to a minimum.


What Can You Expect From Us?

We will be on hand any time of any day to support you in your placement and trip as a whole. There will always be someone you can speak to or get a hold of should you want to discuss anything or require any guidance, from organising and altering your timetable to changing your placement. Our team living in the volunteer house will also be able to offer advice regarding travel plans and the local area so you will soon feel at home.


What Should I Bring?

In terms of your placement make sure you bring at least one strong pair of shoes and full length trousers/tracksuit to use whilst on the community clean up days. For people with a passion with upcycling and creating new items we would also advise bringing plans or documents on ideas for this which we then plan to share to local communities or sell online to fund further projects depending on the items. Professional litter picking tools would also be amazing as they're difficult to source locally.


What Happens During School Holidays?

Other than for the community outreach and education part of this placement the school holidays will not affect this placement and you will still be able to continue as normal.


Typical day

  • 07:30am - Volunteer transport leaves the volunteer house to project sites
  • 08:00am - Arrive at project site destination and start work for example on community cleanup or creating ecobricks
  • 10:00am - 10:30am - Morning Break
  • 12:30pm - 01:00pm - Lunch Break
  • 03:00pm -  End of placement and start to travel back to the house to rest and meet up with the other team members.
  • In their free time, volunteers are free to go shopping in the local markets, return to the volunteer house or visit the local swimming pools.

Free-time activities

Mid Week Free Time
After school and evenings offer these local opportunities around the local area:

  • Hiking / Trekking
  • Swimming
  • Sightseeing (Waterfalls and breathtaking scenery)
  • After school & Homework Clubs
  • Sports facilities
  • Live Music
  • Plenty of Nightlife
  • Restaurants & Hotels providing western cuisine

Weekend Free Time
Most volunteers will travel at weekends, across Ghana we have many amazing experiences which you can discover. Here are just a few ideas:

  • Safari
  • Museums
  • Slave Castles
  • Canopy Walk
  • Waterfalls
  • Malls and Cinemas (Showing latest films)
  • Beautiful Beaches
  • Surfing

We are on hand to offer any advice that you might need.

Water Sports
Swimming
Concert/
Music
Sightseeing
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Climbing
Safari/
Zoo
Hiking
Museum/
Opera
Sports
Riding

Requi­sitos

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.
Language Skills
You need to speak English (basic level)
Education Requirements
at High School / Secondary School level
Required Documents
CV/Résumé
Nationality Restrictions
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Time Commitment
Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 15:00

Serviços incluídos

Services by Atlas Volunteers

Atlas Volunteers was setup to remove the business element out of volunteering so rest assured your fees are simply to cover the expense of your stay with us.


Expenditure varies depending on the amount of volunteers and exchange rates, however please see a brief breakdown below of how your fees are used by us:

  • Accommodation & Maintenance - 34.5%
  • Local Support Staff - 27.6%
  • Electricity Utility Bill - 10.3%
  • Water Utility Bill - 17.2%
  • Gas Utility Bill - 6.9%
  • Admin Fees - 3.4%

The support you receive from our UK and Ghana based management teams is provided free of charge and on a voluntary basis to ensure the cheapest fees possible for you.

Accommodation

We currently have 2 x three bedroom volunteer houses located in the peaceful town of Pepease overlooking the rainforest. Later in the year we aim to move to a larger 13 bedroom house in a nearby town.
Bedrooms -

Bedrooms are shared usually between 2 - 4 people. Most bedrooms are a medium size and come with a mix of single, double or bunk beds. All doors and windows in the house are covered by mosquito netting or covered completely however you are more than welcome to bring a mosquito net for your bed although usually not necessary.

Bathrooms -
There are 3 shared bathrooms in the house so offer plenty of space and privacy during your stay. Most of the time we have the benfit of running water which is a local luxury so showers and toilets will work as usual. We ask to consider others when using the water as it's a valuable commodity in Ghana.

Kitchen -
We have one large kitchen with modern facilties such as gas stove, fridge freezer and a range of utensils. It is a self catered placement however plenty of food stuffs can be bought from the market such as bread, rice, pasta and many fresh ingredients. We also have connections with local people in the town who will be able to prepare your meals or teach you how to cook local dishes.

Living Room -
There is a large living room with sofas, TV and a dining set for use by the volunteers. Evenings are often spent in here and volunteers are welcome to bring DVDs or memory drives with movies to watch although local television channels are provided.

Garden -
Surrounding the house is a fenced garden, this offers privacy for relaxing in the sun or sitting out in the evenings. There is also a washing line space for volunteers to use.

Store Room -
We have a small store room where we keep left over teaching materials and resources for new volunteers to use. You are invited to leave any items you may not use here for the next person to continue the flow. Master copies of activity sheets or lesson plans are a key item we hope to see keep growing in the store.

Dorm Room Guesthouse
Internet Access
Limited access at the project site
What's NOT included?
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees. An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either. Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.
Flight Tickets
The nearest airport is Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra. We assist you to find cheap flights to Gana.
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 Gana provides security and is a plus to have.
Vaccines
If you are intending to volunteer in Gana you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Gana.

Datas & Custos

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Details on arrival

This placement is available throughout the year. You are welcome to arrive with us any day of the week or flight arrival time and we will adjust your airport collection accordingly.

How Do I Get From The Airport to Volunteer House On Arrival?

We can arrange for one of our vehicles to collect you from the airport and bring you directly to the volunteer house although fuel, airport parking and toll fees must be covered by yourself - payable in US dollars or Ghana cedi on the day. (As of June 2022 this is around 500 cedi)

We will arrange this as standard procedure unless you choose to OPT OUT as we would feel much more comfortable with you arriving into a new country that the team are on hand to greet and reliable vehicles made available for you and your luggage.
Upon arrival our Volunteer Support and Driver (Frank & Eben) will meet you outside the arrivals hall at Kotoka Intl. Airport. They will be holding a sign with your name on so they should be easy to spot!

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Duration
1 - 50 weeks

Program fees

Costs: Prices in USD
1 week (min. stay)
$65
12 weeks
$780
24 weeks
$1.320
50 weeks (max. stay)
$2.500
Average fees
$58 /week

Por favor, note que as taxas acima indicadas são estimadas. Atlas Volunteers informará o candidato sobre o preço final durante o processo de candidatura.
Deposit (15%)
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.
Final Payment (85%)
Your final payment will be agreed with Atlas Volunteers during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Porquê reservar com Volunteer World

Extra security layer by Volunteer World
Volunteer World é a plataforma de comparação líder mundial para oportunidades de voluntariado internacional. Nós guiamos você através de um processo seguro e fácil de inscrição - incluindo todos os pagamentos necessários. Planejar sua próxima viagem significativa com o Volunteer World lhe dá acesso gratuito ao nosso:
Garantia de Qualidade
Elevados padrões éticos & impacto social transparente
Opção Flex
Altere a sua reserva sem custos adicionais
Garantia de Reembolso
Reembolsamos suas despesas caso Atlas Volunteers cancele sua viagem
Apoio & Mediação
Nós cobrimos suas costas, não importa o que aconteça.
Os nossos serviços são gratuitos!
Todas as despesas do programa são cobradas diretamente por Atlas Volunteers.

What are people saying about Volunteer World?

Plastic Upcycling & Community Cleanup

Help the fight against plastic waste by community cleanups, producing ecobricks and creating upcycled products from plastic waste.

$58/week

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