Ghana Immersion and Volunteer Program

  Ghana

• Accra: 
Accra

Duration of Program: 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 7-12 months
Dates: September - April

Description: The Ghana program is eight months long, from August 24th to April 30th. The program offers participants a chance to share in the life of hosts in a rural village and to volunteer in local Ghanaian organizations. The program includes a month of preparation prior to leaving, and one month debriefing when you return.         

Preparation

A five week preparation period will be held in Ontario before the group departs. Workshops throughout the month are focused on community building among group members, articulating personal and group goals, developing consensus decision making and conflict resolution skills, working with the urban poor in Canada, learning about the history, politics, economics and cultures of Ghana, enhancing awareness and analysis of poverty and injustice, and preparing both mentally and physically to live cross-culturally. The group will also spend time on a canoe/hiking trip in Algonquin Park to have time to be challenged and know each other better.

Orientation

The group will land in Accra, the capital city of Ghana, where they will receive a guided week-long orientation to become familiar with some practical aspects of traveling in Ghana.The group then travels to Battor for language orientation. For two weeks the group lives in a small guesthouse attending Ewe language lessons and getting adjusted to rural village life.

Village Stays

Participants will spend six weeks staying in small villages near Battor. The focus of this time is immersion living. There are many ways to immerse yourself in the villages. Much of your time will be spent participating in daily life cooking, farming, eating, talking, working, going to school, and other family/village activities. The group will meet once a week to support each other, discuss what they are learning and experiencing, and to come to greater understanding of the economic issues in the villages through discussions.

Project Work

After a period of travel in December, the next three months will focus on solidarity volunteer work in different areas of Ghana. One World has built relationships with organizations involved in grassroots projects in many areas of the country. Participants will spend this time working in voluntary placements of their choice. In the past, participants have worked in children's hospitals, medical clinics, women's groups, as well as with agricultural, cultural and environmental organizations.

Debriefing

This is a very important element of the program. Four weeks will be spent in Ontario reflecting on and processing what has been learned and experienced. This includes guided reflection and sharing, evaluating personal and group goals, and sharing insights and perspectives gained through presentations to schools, colleges and other groups.

For more information, or to speak with past program participants, please contact us.

Qualifications: Applicants must be eager to learn in a challenging environment. Our participants are dedicated to living a very simple lifestyle in solidarity with their host communities.

Applicants should have group/team experience, and strong interest in cross-class and cross-cultural learning. We look for applicants who have a strong interest in our program goals, and who have some previous interest or experience with issues of social justice.

Cost in US$: 6500

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 17 and older

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ghana in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of 4-6

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

One World Global Education Program's Mission Statement: One World is an experiential learning program that seeks to promote global understanding and co-operation by providing participants with cross-cultural and cross-class learning opportunities.

Year Founded: 1990