TEACH DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS IN ACCRA

WORK CONTENT AND DESCRIPTION

It is impossible to write how priceless it is to do this kind of placement and the amount of knowledge and experience it provides.

The schools you'll work in are a mixture of primary and secondary. You will generally be asked to help out with any age groups, although where possible we will try to keep you to your preferred age range. Your teaching hours can vary from 20 – 35 hours per week, to children of a range of ages 5-15. Although English is the official language, a multitude of African tribal languages are spoken, such as Ewe and Ga.

Your help is very much appreciated. Before you leave, you'll be provided with a mountain of information on just about everything to do with Ghana and your placement, including a Teaching Guide to help you to structure your lessons. Our Ghana Manager and his team will look after you well. You'll get lots of advice about the do's and don’ts of Ghanaian culture, what to do and where to go.

Teaching the children in Ghana is very satisfying, as it is in most African countries, because the children actually do want to learn! We asked a volunteer in Ghana "What do you feel you gained from doing this project?" and she answered:

Blimey, where do I start! Social skills, communications skills, greater initiative, leadership skills, planning skills (for lessons and travelling at weekends), patience, confidence, cultural knowledge to name just a few! It is impossible to write how priceless it is to do this kind of placement and the amount of knowledge and experience it provides.

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS:
Teaching is not available during school holidays, so if you're planning to participate in a placement, please take the school term dates into account when planning the timing of your project. During the school holidays Travellers runs a Summer Camp for the children to give them something to do and a place to go that provides them with food and keeps them off the street. Find more details here.

On the other hand, if a holiday falls during your proposed placement, you could use this time to do any independent travelling and sightseeing. Dates for the 2015 school terms (semesters) are as follows:

• Term 1: 6th January – 9th April
• Term 2: 5th May – 30th July
• Term 3: 2nd September – 11th December.

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ACCOMMODATION

Your accommodation will vary depending on your work location, but will either be in a family-run hostel or with a host family. This means that you get to eat, sleep, work, socialise and generally live like a Ghanaian. This enables you to fully experience the local culture from the inside.

Many of our volunteers remain friends with their host families long after they leave Ghana and in some cases they return to the country later especially to visit their family. Sometimes members of their Ghanaian family have even gone to visit them in their home country.

The family for the past 6 weeks, the Opuku family, have been very warming to us staying there. They've cooked up some fabulous meals and have been very helpful to us when we have needed some help finding our way around. The children at the house are fantastic! They're very keen to explore your room, and sweets seems to be very high on the list. Jonathan Childs

FOOD:
Food will be local cuisine - again this is to enable you to fully experience living as local Ghanaians do. When we arrange your placement, we will liaise extensively with you regarding both the placement and your accommodation. As always, our Local Manager will look after you well and will always be on hand to help and offer advice.

My family - Lizzie and Prince are lovely. The children are very sweet, and I feel extremely lucky to have been placed with them. The house is of a Western standard in most ways, and Lizzie's cooking is excellent. I feel a part of their family already.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Got any questions? Please email us: info@travellersworldwide.com

WHAT IS REQUIRED OF YOU ... AND GHANAIAN TIME!
Like all our destination countries, the culture in Ghana is different to what you're used to. For example, the people are exceptionally friendly and helpful, with big smiles and a relaxed attitude. On the other hand, the living standard falls short of UK or Western standards. And Ghanaian time is when someone says, "See you at 10.a.m.," - what he really means is, "I'll see you sometime tomorrow" ... And then he may not turn up at all.

The pace of life is slower and more relaxed, but you'll quickly get involved in the daily life of the local people and pretty soon you'll feel completely at home - Ghana has that effect on you!

Self-reliance, independence and initiative are highly appreciated and a sense of humour when the electricity fails, or buses don't turn up, will help you to make the most of this wonderful opportunity!

Letter from Samuel Kenney-Hastens, Managing Proprietor, Sambel Academy, one of the institutions that Travellers Volunteers assist in Ghana.
Sambel Academy is an educational institution situated in Accra. Our school is privileged to be part of Travellers Worldwide programme. We have had the opportunity of receiving volunteers of different backgrounds. The activities of the persons sent to us fell within various sports disciplines and of course academic activities. In fact our young but very dynamic institution has gained immensely from the activities of the various persons sent to us since our relationship with your esteem organization began in 2003.

In fact, for the first time, we were introduced to the game of cricket. A newly developing sport in our part of the country. I would like to outline the immense contribution gained from the volunteers who came to teach and handle activities such as English language, music and dance, French, story telling etc. Some of our students had learning difficulties but the volunteers isolated them and gave them tutorials. One volunteer also donated about eight hundred dollars towards our development when he came to our school. In fact his contribution has been very helpful to us.

With the remarks given, I want to emphasize our preparedness in receiving volunteers any time they are available in the country. I further wish this commendation could be published on your website. Thanks so much.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR PLACEMENT?

Once you have applied for a placement, we'll contact you and send you our Welcome Pack. You'll also receive Log-on details and password for our Volunteer Extranet where you'll have access to all the documentation and information which we've put together to facilitate preparations for your adventure! Your Project Co-ordinator for your country will liaise with you throughout the arrangements process, as well as while you're on your placement and on your return home.

The documents you'll have access to also include a Country Factfile, Safety Guide and any manuals that may assist you on your particular programme (e.g. Teaching Guide, Sports Manuals, Enrichment Suggestions for Animal Care, etc.). We do all we can to make your stay one that you'll never forget. This is a truly awesome, elegant and beautiful country.

VOLUNTEERING WITH CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS
As well as protecting all our volunteers, Travellers Worldwide is committed to all our projects and dedicated to practices which protect children and vulnerable adults from harm. Read Travellers' Child Care and Vulnerable Adults Policy.

TRAVELLERS' SUPPORT AND BACKUP: Read about the excellent Support & Backup we provide before you leave and during your programme.

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OPTIONAL ADD-ON ACTIVITIES:

Make the most of your time there! To help you do that, we've put together some exciting activities, courses and tours that you can add to your itinerary. These are designed to be fun, but also to enable you to learn, and expand your personal and professional development enjoyment ... but mostly for your enjoyment! :-)

LOCATION | SIGHTSEEING:

Ghana is a wonderfully welcoming country and the people are overwhelmingly hospitable and friendly. They love their music, dancing and socialising, and this, together with lots of glorious open African country and sunshine, contribute to making your travel adventure to Ghana very special.

ABOUT ACCRA:
Accra, on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, is both big-city hectic and African laid-back. There is something else this African city has that makes up for lack of planning and fancy buildings. It is a wonderful city to experience. It is full of character, has a warm feel, is extremely friendly and feels very safe. It also has some great beaches!

It is a city that is young, wild and full of soul and here you'll sample the true African spirit. During the day, the streets are full of market stalls and vendors where you can browse and buy mouthwatering foods, colourful Kente cloth, beads, or baskets. Don't forget to practice your haggling. During the night the city comes alive with the traditional Ghanaian ‘spot’ bars and the sound of live drumming music in the warm night air. Village-specific festivals and events occur throughout the year.

Accra itself is fascinating, very different from home. Very noisy, dusty and hot, but really colourful and vibrant. Particularly impressed by the palm trees, amazing variety of little stalls and shops and the women balancing huge bundles on their heads! We've felt very safe so far - very little hassle from people, most of whom have been really welcoming. Caroline Allen – Law Placement

TRAVEL:

Read about Travel arrangements and what happens when you arrive in your new country.

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REVIEWS AND FEEDBACK:

CHARLES FOWLER
British
Teaching Disadvantaged Children in Schools in Accra

Being in Ghana is fantastic, there's no other word for it. There may be some initial homesickness once the novelty of being abroad has worn off, but then you realise that you're miles away from home, you're here for three months and you might as well pull your socks up and make the most out of your placement.

As for the country itself - what can I say? It really is one of the most wonderfully diverse places I've ever experienced. The people, the climate, the schools, the sights and smells all contribute to create a friendly atmosphere in which you feel very secure and very welcome from the moment you arrive. The instant you step off the plane into the dust and the heat, you can see at a glance that the next three months in Ghana are going to be like nothing you've seen or done before, but that only adds to the excitement and the pleasure you get out of it.

The family are all very nice too. Naturally the first night was quite a nervous time. I arrived quite late in the evening expecting to find the whole family in bed, but instead I walked into the house to find about a dozen (I was expecting five or six at most) people clustered around the television (you're quite right about Ghanaian television, too - it's worse than appalling!) and I had to pretend to understand their names and what they were saying whilst taking in all these new surroundings that were to be my home for the next three months.

School too was strange at first but now is really good fun. The first time we arrived it was quite daunting; all these new names and faces, and the thought that I was to be responsible for part of their education. I was taken aback by the fact that I was teaching Art (a subject in which I show about as much talent as I do at speaking Greek) as well as English, French, PE and Music, but it really wasn't a problem at all, and now I enjoy the school very much. The headmaster and teachers are all very nice and so far there haven't been any problems whatever to note.

In terms of all the other volunteers, I don't think we could get on any better. We all seemed to have settled in very well with each other and many a lasting friendship has been made. Thanks for making all this possible

JENNIFER ELLIOTT
British
Teaching Children in Schools
Plus the Summer Camp for Disadvantaged Children

Just thought I'd drop you an email to let you know how the Summer School Camp is going.... so far everything has been great! The kids seem to love it and although it's definitely challenging at times, I'm really enjoying myself too.

The kids are adorable and are so excited when we walk into school in the morning! We've split the 60 kids into 3 classes so that Mark, Seh and I have one group each but we also rotate so that each of us teaches all 3 groups every day. We have to be quite patient with the children as they are very excitable but they also seem (mostly) very keen to learn which makes it a very rewarding experience for us.

I can already see that I'm going to find it so hard to say goodbye to the kids after 4 weeks - I'm getting so attached to them and it's only been a few days!! Hopefully the kids will keep enjoying themselves and keep showing up! I'm really looking forward to getting to know them all better over the next few weeks.

Halfway through the Summer camp:

I am having an amazing time. Aloy [Aloysius is Travellers Ghanaian Manager] and the Principal, Mr Banini, have really supported us and helped with anything they can. We are all building up a really good relationship with the kids so even though it's hard, the teaching is also really good fun. This morning as I walked down the last stretch of road to school a group of children from the summer camp saw me and ran towards me shouting my name at the tops of their voices. They all grabbed me and gave me a huge hug in the middle of the street - it was a great feeling and put a smile on my face for hours!!

In the afternoons after dinner there is a teacher that comes to teach traditional African dance and music to the children so that we can put on a performance at the end of the camp. The children love it and they are amazing dancers! Seh and I have been learning to play the African drums and hopefully if we get good enough we will be able to take part in the show!

LUCY HAMMOND
British
Teaching Disadvantaged Children in Schools in Accra

There are so many words to describe the amazing adventure, which has now inspired me to undertake more voluntary work and in the future become a teacher and live in Africa. Aloysius was there to meet me and instantly I had a smile on my face as I travelled to the hostel, peering out of the car window at the women carrying huge buckets of water on their heads and the Tro-tro mates (local buses) shouting their destinations. Accra seemed a very busy and up-beat city.

Mr Quaynor (Uncle) was waiting for me and I knew that I would love living here. Mrs Quaynor (Auntie) is the cutest lady I know and basically became my Ghanaian mum, she was willing to do anything for me and would cook the most delicious food; her Yam chips are the best!!!

The volunteers all live in the main house building and by the end of my placement I became part of the family and even helped Uncle and Auntie with the business, just by answering the phone, taking bookings and welcoming new arrivals to the hostel. I spent my 3 months living with Alison, Anthony and Tom (all volunteers) and really became a family unit, we all saw each other as brothers and sisters and I think my experience wouldn’t have been the same if they weren’t there.

The thing that really struck me was how friendly everyone was, so when you read or hear about Ghanaian people being the friendliest of all Africans, it is definatly true. I instantly fell in love with the children who are all so beautiful and very very inquisitive! I taught all classes which ranged from nursery (age 2) to Form 2(ages 15-16) mainly music with a little bit of English and RE. All the children were very well mannered, they called me Madame Lucy and especially loved the music lessons.

I have learnt so much from my voluntary work in Ghana; the most precious thing that will stay with me was the love and kind hospitality that was given to me from everyone I met. And even though they have very little they still cared dearly and made me feel so welcome into their lives. Living in Ghana has given me a love of Africa and has inspired me to travel further to widen my experiences and knowledge.

I would encourage everyone to visit Ghana and to undertake some type of voluntary work, it is such a rewarding experience and my time in Ghana was the best three months I could have asked for, now I can’t stop travelling!!!

TIM MYLES
British
Teaching IT to Disadvantaged Children in Schools in Accra

Everything at this end has been brilliant. The organisation has been first class - from the arrangements to meet at the airport through to showing us a large number of sites around the city. We have been extremely well taken care of. The family that I'm staying with are extremely nice, and the food is good (although sometimes a little strange - rice pudding for breakfast?!!!!). Everyone has made me feel extremely welcome.

The best thing about the placement has been the reaction of the older kids to my lessons. When I tried to end one lesson a couple of minutes early, they actually refused to leave and made me try to teach them something else quickly. That was such an amazing feeling - to know that I really am making a difference to these kids, and hopefully giving them some real skills that are going to help them progress in the future.

Other highlights so far include Kokrobite, Aburi and generally doing things at the weekend - it's really liberating to get away and do things for yourself. A bit scary, but very fulfilling when you get there and know that it was all you!

The most important thing for me has been experiencing a completely different culture. I have taught kids before, so that aspect wasn't entirely new, but I have never been to Africa before, so that has been an amazing experience. You have to completely adjust to a new way of living and just basically accept everything - if you don't like something it's tough!

I would definitely recommend this placement to others. I think everyone should do a placement of some sort - there is no real reason not to nowadays. Employers look on them as beneficial, not a holiday, and the way it can set you up for the next part of your life (whether, like me, that is a career, or for the others, university). The skills that you learn, and the experiences you gain, will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life. Even if your placement doesn't work out exactly how you hoped, it will be an amazing experience. I think this placement would suit someone confident, outgoing, willing to "muck in", friendly (v. important) and just very open-minded!

Can you describe a typical day?
I get up around 7 each morning, except Tuesday when I have to be in early so I roll out of bed at 6! Quick bucket shower before some brekkie and I'm out the house. I often walk the 20 minutes to Atomic Junction, otherwise I'd never do any exercise, then catch a Tro-tro to the school.

Lessons tend to start at 8.30. Everyday except Tuesday I have adult classes in the mornings, this tends to be one-to-one lessons as they are all at different levels. I also try to make sure all the machines are in good condition. Lunch at 12 each day, sometimes some beans and fried plaintain, sometimes some fried rice, then at 1 we have the kids classes in (sometimes there are kids classes 10:30-12 too). School finishes between 2-2:30, and I might stick around if there are some adults who want to do some more work.

On the way home I might pop into the Internet cafe, check my mails and, more importantly, the football results, then carry on home. I play with the kids and read/write my journal in the afternoon, sometimes a bit of football, then dinner normally around 6 as the house starts to fill up (although Joe's house is never exactly empty! Then Joe and the guys often take me out for a few drinks, watch some TV, listen to some music, then off to bed!

KATE SANGER
British
Teaching Disadvantaged Children in Schools in Accra

The family is great and I enjoyed staying with them, but the best thing was the school itself, the head teacher and her family, most of the teachers in the school were so nice, I got on really well with the head teacher especially, they were so welcoming and generally fun to be with.

The children in the school were great fun too (as well as hard work). I've learnt to be a lot more patient! And although it sounds pretty cliché, I've come to value what I have more than I did before. It was also an amazing insight into another very different culture.

It was a wicked experience and I'm really glad I choose to do it!

Can you describe a typical day?
Got to school for 8:30, as assembly is starting, which I just watched. Lessons don't start till nine so the children just chant shapes or number until then. Usually maths first with KG2 which was my class, either I or Eunice would introduce the topic and give out the books then just marking and supervising till break time at 10.00 – 10.30.

10.30 – 11.00 ish more chanting, then English or something like forming sentences with certain words, talking about a picture then the children writing. Lunch at 12, we usually had what the children got, then straight back to work usually more chanting for a while, then about 1 a lesson like science, moral education, health and safety introduced by myself or Eunice, usually involving the children copying a picture and writing 2 sentences whatever the subject. If they finished before close they would chant more.

School closes at 2.00 when we can leave with the majority of the children but many don’t get picked up till about 4.00/5.00 so I often stayed after which was literally babysitting as they had no lessons. Sometimes I would help with the nursery which was helping them write letters or numbers on chalk boards. But if I wanted to do anything different it was always welcome.

DAVID GRAY
British
Teaching Disadvantaged Children in Schools in Accra

I love Ghana and I can’t believe I’m going home in 2 weeks! I wish I could stay longer but unfortunately I can’t. It’s been the best time of my life so far! I am learning so much about the different cultures both at home with the family and also at the different schools. Ghana is so different from England and I thought it would take a long time to adjust but everyone has made me feel so welcome that it didn’t take long at all and once I had been here for a few days, I felt like I had been here a few months.

I’m working in two schools, one is very organised with lesson plans etc. and the other have let me get on with it and teach the children what I think is needed. This has allowed me to get a view of two very different schools, offering very different experiences. Having the time at weekends to see Ghana and do a bit of travelling with the rest of the volunteers is great fun also.

Can you describe a typical day?
I usually wake up between 6-6.30am because of the noise and light. I start school at about 8.30am but it varies day to day. A bucket shower is the best way to wake me up then some porridge from the host family.

I have about 4-5 lessons a day. If it is at the organised school, I must catch a tro-tro there and meet the teacher a few minutes before to get the lesson plan. If it’s at the other school I already have a lesson plan and I can walk to the school so I just set off for either, running the obrunie gauntlet on the way. I find it difficult to have lunch and dinner so I don’t usually have too much to eat then so I either chat with the teachers or have a walk around. Afternoon classes finish around 3.30pm so I’m back for about 4ish.

Some nights we will go out for a drink at one of the many spots or bars, other nights we will stay in and play cards etc.

LYNDSAY WARNER
British
Teaching Disadvantaged Children in Schools in Accra

I don't know where to start..... I've learnt how to handle a class, how to communicate to children and adults alike who’s first language isn’t English, how to plan lessons and how to make them effective, how to handle people in the street, how to speak Twi! (a bit!) And then out of the classroom - how to plan trips away, things like that.....I feel like I've learnt so much and I'll go home like a new person.

The best thing about this placement is my students...definitely. I love them so much. I'm going to miss them a lot.

In terms of who this placement would suit, I think it helps if you are fairly outgoing and very confident......I wasn't that confident before Ghana, but I think I've gained a lot more confidence since being here.

Can you describe a typical day?
I usually arrive at Uniqueen school at 8.30am and help out with the morning lessons usually in maths and language work. Usually I teach whatever the teacher has prepared for the class. Break time is 10am-10.30am. I leave at 12 noon and take a short tro tro ride to St Matthews school where I take either class 3, 4 or 6 for a double English lesson in comprehension, grammar or creative writing. I finish around 3pm.

I almost always prepare my own lessons and also spend time in the evenings marking their homework and writing lesson plans. It's tiring but so much fun and very rewarding.

SINEAD JACKSON
British
Teaching Disadvantaged Children in Schools in Accra

I found the work very challenging at times but enjoyed every single minute of it. It’s like nothing I have ever done before and it has been without a doubt the best experience I have ever endured. The children and staff at school were so welcoming and there wasn’t one day that I didn’t want to be there. I didn’t really know what to expect, however I wasn’t expecting my pupils to be as bright and as intelligent as they were. They were extremely eager to learn which felt rewarding on my behalf.

Aloysius [Travellers' Ghana Manager] was very friendly and automatically made us feel content when we arrived.

I loved each and every one of my pupils. They made me feel so welcome and it felt so rewarding when I was actually teaching them stuff they enjoyed. The thing I enjoyed the most was living with a Ghanaian family, I have become extremely close to them and it was a fantastic experience.

OLIVER BLACKWELL
British
Teaching Disadvantaged Children in Schools in Accra

Everything is awesome out here and I had no problems at all adjusting to the life out here (i.e slowing down the pace a few thousand notches!) The host family (Jo especially - a certified dude!) are great, although have not quite worked out who is who and who is where as everyone (like 30 people!) seems to be a brother or sister!, and already had some great nights out with them!

The other obrunis ("white boys" spelt wrong!) are all great too and nice to have some fellow Brits to occasionally (like now!) slip out for a cheeky chicken and chips, as for myself have definitely not acclimatised to the Ghana grub yet! - but confident it will happen soon....

Aloysius [Travellers' Ghana Manager] certainly falls into the same category as Jo, had a great induction/tour and hopefully was able to do some culture exchange as we bought him his first tequila slammer!

Many thanks again for all your help in setting it up.

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