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Sunday 05th of September 2010

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Volunteering in Ghana




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David Kuhn
April 2010

June 2000
The plane touched down at Kotoka International Airport, and the finely dressed passengers on the plane clapped. I admit I sat awe-struck at this gesture, but it was genuine, pleasant and left me with a good feeling. That sentiment pretty much stuck with me throughout my 8 weeks in Ghana, and for me represented this astonishing country and its citizens.

An tall and gravelly voiced guy named Pastor picked me up from the airport and we drove a rumbling road to a small hotel where my travelling partner Jill was staying, having arrived a day earlier. Yes, there were mosquitoes and no running water, but there were also mosquito nets, a generous bucket and showering room. I quickly learned that these items would become my friends. In fact, I preferred to use them even after I left West Africa. Clothes

A couple days later, Jill and I were driven to the town of Ho in the Volta Region. We stayed at Philip’s house – a beautiful but modest home with two brick buildings. Jill and I met his wife and children, who would become close with us over the weeks. It was real comforting to have friendly kids to drink chocolate Milo with in the mornings, and to have a ‘host mom’ looking after us. 

Days later I would meet Spyke, Wallace, King, Jug Brown, Morrison and others, each a singular character; we were in good spirits, and quickly got to know each other. We drove up the adjacent mountain pass to the small village of Akome, which would become our adopted home for a few weeks. Akome was densely forested, with a creek and a few fields close by. There was a school, a small boutique store, two pounding machines, several fields of citrus fruit trees, and a health hut which would become our sleeping quarters. Others joined our group, and soon we were 20 young men (and Jill), often singing and teasing. dancing

As a volunteer tourist with PHFS, I was eager to observe how our money was being spent, how well-integrated Jill and I would become with the group, and how helpful our group’s project would be to the village of Akome. One day, Philip took a quiet moment to sit down with Jill and I, poured some tea, and discussed PHFS with us. Philip clearly explained that the money was spent in three capacities: to pay local women to cook for the group, finance a couple day trips for the group, and help with some administration costs. (In total, Jill and I paid $650USD each for the 4 weeks, not counting air fare). Philip conducted a health and safety orientation, and discussed a few social rules and traditions that would help us to become integrated cross-culturally. He also explained that village leaders had developed a strategic plan for social improvements, and that our participation would help to implement that plan. Jill and I openly shared our personal expectations for privacy and commitment. The nature of our partnership began to sink in, and that was a very significant moment for us. hostel

Our enthusiastic group was to build a hostel in Akome so that girls attending school from surrounding villages would not need to commute, but could stay at the hostel instead. A U.S. Peace Corps volunteer was helping to coordinate the hostel project, acting as a facilitator and project manager.

When work began, we designated roles for the first few days and agreed to rotate. Everything was done by hand: there were brickmakers, cement mixers, loaders, masons and scaffolding builders. Groups of girls would gracefully bring water and lunch, and the group would sit together, laugh and tell stories.

taking 
photo's


The project lasted for most of 4 weeks, with a couple of weekend breaks. During the breaks, we spent time together on field trips, soccer games with the village boys, visiting neighbouring villages. Jill and I took time to teach at the school and visited villagers. In the evenings, we showcased our individual talents, sang songs, told stories, discussed our two cultures, played games and even created songs and games. Jill and I learned Twi, the native regional language. We became a tight-knit group, daily bridging cultural gaps.

In the end, village elders found problems financing the project, and we were forced to leave before we’d finished. It was disappointing to leave; not only had we left the hostel half-done, but also it was difficult to watch a village waste the positivity and enthusiasm of young volunteer labourers, and the planning resources needed to get things done. Philip was also disappointed, but vowed to work there again in following years.

dancing


Overall, the experience was unforgettable. We were fortunate to be with this group of guys, and were very sad to leave. I would highly recommend PHFS to anyone interested in immersing in Ghanaian culture, discovering the lifestyle and sharing openly with people face to face.


I would also recommend PHFS over other volunteer tourism experiences, which are not as transparent and not as tied to the host culture. Philip and other group leaders were very professional, working hard to alleviate concerns and develop cross-cultural sensitivity training for foreign volunteers.


Philip made a very concentrated effort to work within the village to determine and implement projects that the village wanted. Too many organisations are preoccupied with volunteer accommodation, developing projects that are not part of a participatory community development process. Ignoring or avoiding community input produces unsustainable projects, and could lead to distrust between two well-meaning cultures.


You can contact me further about my experiences at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 
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PHILANTHROPY HOST FAMILY SERVICE (PHFS)

ABOUT US
Philanthropy Host Family Service (PHFS) is a non-governmental and non-profit organisation through which volunteers provide direct service to communities, disadvantaged women, children and all people in need so as to help them become self-sufficient.

PHFS volunteers have a choice of living with one another in a community setting or with host families.  Our programms are year round, generally lasting 3 to 4 weeks with longer stays possible.

PHFS programms are designed to bring volunteers of all ages together from different backgrounds, placing them in the community and enabling them to respect and learn about each other’s culture and share their experiences.

LEGAL STATUS
PHFS is incorporated as a non-profit and non-governmental organisation under the Companies Code, 1963 (Act 179) with registration number G 3,058.  In addition, PHFS is recognised by the Department of Social/Welfare with Registration number D.S.W/1406.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Poverty, due to lack of access to materials, funds, organisation and training, ignorance and moral decadence is destroying the fabric of life in our society. Under these circumstances many people cannot properly feed their children nor afford good education for them and many women are marginalized in the society. PHFS therefore hopes to organise the disadvantaged, deprived and marginalized in rural and urban communities to use local resources (land, local materials and their own labour) to improve their living conditions while ensuring that the environment is not compromised.

PARTICIPATION COST
Our participation fee of $800 for all programmes includes food, lodging, administration and in-country travel (in groups). Each participant is responsible for providing his or her own airfare to Ghana.  Volunteers are usually picked at the airport to the project site.




APPLICATION INFORMATION

Interested volunteers should send their application to;



1.    Philip Kitsi                                      
P. O. Box MA 378                    
Ho, Volta Region                    
Ghana, West Africa                 
Tel: +233-24-734345 (Cell)
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it                                     

Volunteer Opportunities/Projects
1.    HIV/AIDS/Health
2.    Constructional Workcamps
3.    Youth Camp
4.    Women projects    
-    Co-operative
-    Micro-credit
-    Sustainable Agriculture
-    Skills upgrading
5.    Environmental
6.     Education (Teaching)


PROGRAMMES FOR 2009/2010


PROGRAMME:      PHFS/01CONS:
DATE:         18TH – 31ST DECEMBER, 2009
NATURE:         CONSTRUCTION OF CLASSROOM BLOCK
WORK:        Both local and foreign volunteers will help the Star Senior High School construct Classroom block for the school.  The work will involve digging, mixing of concrete and mortar, carting of blocks sand, water etc.
LOCATION:         Sokode, near Ho

SIDE ATTRACTION:    Volunteers will visit Tsatsatu Waterfalls, Wli Waterfalls – the highest waterfalls in West Africa and Mount Gemi etc.



PROGRAMME:      PHFS/02 CONS
DATE:        28TH MAY – 18TH JUNE 2010
NATURE:         CONSTRUCTION OF WORKSHOP
WORK:         Volunteers will work on the construction of a workshop for three Women
Cooperative groups at Alavanyo Dzogbedze.  The workshop when completed will serve
Dressmakers, Batik Tie & Dye makers and Bread makers Women Co-operatives.  The
workshop will also serve as meeting place for the members of PHFS/Africa Alive Women
Micro-Credit Groups.  The work will involve all the components of constructional work.
LOCATION:      ALAVANYO – DZOGBEDZE

SIDE ATTRACTION: Different drumming groups will entertain the volunteers
in the evenings.  In addition volunteers will visit Tsatsadu Waterfalls (5miles away) and Wli
Waterfalls (15 miles away) – the highest waterfalls in West Africa.



PROGRAMME:      PHFS/03 SUP:
DATE:        9TH – 23RD JULY, 2010
NATURE:         SKILLS UPGRADING FOR WOMEN
WORK:        This program is designed to help small business entrepreneurs.  
The program intends to upgrade the skills for female entrepreneurs in dress making, batik tie & dye making, trading and farming to enable them improve upon their production.
The program will also include managerial training and health education.  The program therefore requires volunteers who have knowledge/experience/interest in product development and marketing, retail trade (sales), small business management, record keeping, agriculture, nutrition, health education (family planning/birth control, HIV/AIDS) etc.
LOCATION:         ALAVANYO - DZOGBEDZE


PROGRAMME:  
       PHF/04Y
DATE:        16TH –30TH AUGUST 2010
NATURE:        YOUTH CAMP
WORK:        This program will bring both local and foreign youths of 16-20 years old together to discuss issues pertaining to the youth – education, rights of the child, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, culture, etc.  There will be speakers to deliver papers on specific topics.  The participants form the various countries and cultures may do presentations on specific topic of their choice/interest.  The participants will also visit places of interest in Ghana.
Accommodation:  Participants will be accommodated in dormitories where there is running water, electricity and security protection throughout the project period.
LOCATION:         HO, VOLTA REGION

SIDE ATTRACTION:    Different youth cultural groups will entertain the volunteers in the evenings.  In addition volunteers will visit tourist attraction s like Boti Falls, Wli Waterfalls, Mount Afadzato-the highest mountain in Ghana, Tafi Monkey Sanctuary etc. 



PROGRAMME:    PHFS/05ENV.
DATE:        1ST JANUARY – 31ST DECEMBER, 2010
NATURE:        ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
WORK:        In this programme, volunteers will work at existing local environmental posts providing assistance in preservation of the environment, its wildlife and its natural resources.  Volunteers can also work with local communities to develop their own specific environmental programmes.

Often this programme involves addressing basic care of rivers, forests, managing bushfires (wild fires), preservation of historical artefacts, and basic health issues.

NB:    Volunteers are advised to come along with boots (Willington boots etc.), gloves etc.
LOCATION:        TAFI ATOME, GOVIEFE TODZI, ALAVANYO, WLI ETC
PROGRAMME:    PHFS/06 TEACH
DATE:        JANUARY – DECEMBER EACH YEAR
NATURE:        TEACHING
WORK:        This programme involves volunteers teaching in various levels of education in several towns in Volta Region, Ghana.

Participants can volunteer at any time throughout the year and can stay from a period of one month to six months.  The volunteers teching opportunities are available in pre-school, Primary, Junior and Senior Secondary Schools  in Volata Region.
Pre-school (Age 4 – 5 years)
Language, Numeracy, Creative Arts (Music, Dance, Art) and Physical Treaning

Primary (Age – 6 – 11 Years)
English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science, Creative Arts, Physical Education (P. E.) Basic Computer Skills.

Juniior High School (Age 12 – 14 Years)
English, Mathematics, Integrated Science, Agricultural Science, Physical Education and I. C. T.

Seniior High School (Age – 15 – 18 Years)
English, Mathematics, Integrated Science, French and I. C. T.

Programme Schedule
Period for volunteer teachers are:    
i.     January – March
ii.      May – July
iii.    September – December

PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS

Volunteers who want to participate in this programme must:
v    be between 18 and 65 years of age.
v    be available for a minimum of 4 weeks
v    be able to speak English fluently.
v    have at least a High School qualification to teach at Pre-school, Primary and Junior High Level and a Collage Degree to teach Senior High Level.

Volunteers who feel their experience, skills and interest do not fall under any of the above programmes could conveniently provide general office support.  Any of the following skills are valuable Computer Knowledge, Website Familiarity, Writing Skills,  Research Techniques and Proposal Writing.

Volunteers who have interest or experience in project management, administration, public health, nutrition, nursing, agriculture, community development, cooperative development could also apply.



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