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"Education then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is the great equalizer of the conditions of men, the balance-wheel of the social machinery". --- Horace Mann
Urgently Needed: Comics artists to collaborate with us for a children's book project. This will be done either online or in-person.
Our School is a low-cost basic school at Afrancho, a suburb of Kumasi in the Ashanti region of Ghana. We ascribe to the view that the collaboration of teachers and volunteers of diverse backgrounds remains indispensable to the broadening of kids' scope even as they interact with an interesting mix of people discharging their duties as educators and/or educational workers.
Volunteers are urgently needed to partner the foundation in its diverse educational initiatives and activities. These include classroom lessons, music and drumming lessons, life skils, motley creative and capacity-building workshops targeted at students, educators and specific community actors, physical education and sport lessons, illustrators, photography lessons, art projects, drama sessions, educational innovation projects, collaboration on important areas of educational and social research, literary productions,classroom construction, you name them.
The primary focus is to enlarge the educational horizons of kids and teachers out here who would have to make a living in a world predominantly run on the wheels of education. The education in mind here is that which aligns with the ideals and aspirations of the people involved. Don't forget this goes a long way in contributing positively to education's unchanging agenda of bringing about the equalization of human conditions.
There are also great prospects for deeper understanding of third-world education and social issues. This remains very critical in view of the avalanche of conflicting social media narratives about Africa's prospects and perils.
It is worth noting that positive educational outcomes can be substantially achieved in the midst of a concerted brainstorming on nudging problems by collective minds. That's why we are inviting you to come join us as we confront, in purely realistic terms, that wicked monster called ignorance and her undesirable brood.
Which brings us to the point that volunteering here is far from being an easy, wishy-washy pleasurable expedition. It is hard work that entails a tremendous amount of mental and physical exertion. And its success depends to a large extent on the diligent volunteer's utilization of critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving skills and personal resourcefulness.
Those critical about the practice of international volunteering in basic schools should remember that what happens within the four walls of our school (and any other school) has serious implications for national and international development. Donor agencies are not the only ones who set the wheel of development in motion. Schools are also active agents in the development process even when they dont directly sign agreements with donor agencies. Development is not all about grants, conferences and memoranda of understanding . Classrooms engage in development on a daily basis. Interestingly, what pertains in the classroom in one generation will manifest in government in another generation. Ask Abraham Lincoln.
Or better still, let's ask Prof. Ivan for his insightful take on the far-reaching influence of teachers on national destinies:
"The future of the world is in my classroom today , a future with all the potential for good or bad...several presidents are learning from me today; so are the great writers of the next decades, and so are all the so-called ordinary people who will make the decisions in a democracy. I must never forget these same young people could be at the THIEVES and MURDERERS of the future... I must be vigilant every day, lest I lose one fragile opportunity to improve tomorrow."
Improving tomorrow. Shaping leaders and the led. Actively working to make murder and thievery unattractive through the development of sound judgement, character , social solidarity and civic-mindedness. These goals (pursued in the classroom) add some vitality to the claim about the classroom being a strategic point for real development.
Hence, the teacher giving lessons to kids here is a potential world changer, either for good or for bad.
Contact us if you are of the former; an individual who eschews the mine-is-good-and-yours-is-bad approach in interracial engagements.
Withhold your volunteering plans, and get some additional training and education if you exhibit the tendencies of the latter, i.e. those whose volunteering consists solely in fault-finding, thrill-seeking and thus end up defeating the noble intentions of the school's brand of International volunteering.
At the end of the day, the evidence of your volunteering here should be more than just a new profile picture taken amongst a people who are supposedly poor but happy.
NB: Volunteers are urgently needed to proofread and illustrate educational materials for children. Book designers and illustrators are also needed for a project.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
There is so much to learn about the Ghanaian culture even as you get into the minds of kids who are open to interesting interactions with foreign volunteers. We usually expect volunteers to avoid nightclubbing , drinking and other lifestyles that could put lives in harm's way. A willingness to abide by this advice is very critical to a successful volunteering experience.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Teaching and organising reading clinics, writing and maths workshops, arts projects, music lessons, inspiring creativity in kids, organizing photography lessons and projects, training trainers and educators, teaching phonics to kids, classroom construction, etc.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Twi: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
An accomodation is available for volunteers without any charge whatsoever. Simply put, there are no hidden charges.
What else ...
The historic city of Kumasi abounds with motley tourist attractions. Management will guide volunteers to visit these places during days when they are not expected to be in school.
When not properly managed, volunteering within a basic school setting causes a lot of disturbing distractions, ultimately defeating the supposedly good intentions behind it. It might even lead to volunteees risking their lives and the lives of people in the host organisations. For this reason, volunteers must be willing to adhere to certain codes of discipline. These are duly made known to volunteers upon arrival in Ghana.
Potential volunteers must also note that picture-taking, video-making, Facebook live broadcasts and other intrusive acts during INSTRUCTIONAL PERIODS are proscribed. Express approval is needed for any of these activities.
Understandably, the permission granted will objectively take into consideration the appropriateness of time and the activity itself aside other equally important indices.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
My internet connection is stable and this, there shouldn't be any challenging communicating.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (20)
I spent 2 weeks volunteering in a partner school (because that school was closer to the place I lived in), and I can't express all my gratitude to Gideon who made it possible and organized it.
My volunteering was something I… read more
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Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.6)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
I spent 2 weeks volunteering in a partner school (because that school was closer to the place I lived in), and I can't express all my gratitude to Gideon who made it possible and organized it.
My volunteering was something I… read more
I would say that his congeniality was top notch and that his presence was a plus to efforts geared towards improving learning outcomes. We are proud of your work,… read more
I had a wonderful time with all the school staff and learned a lot about Ghanaian culture.
Gideon helped me carry out my projects to help the school expand its online visibility.
I found him a hard and intelligent… read more
1. Yours was a volunteering life devoid of the sense of entitlement.
2. You asked questions to understand and appreciate in the spirit of open-mindednes. You… read more
I contacted the host in October 2017 regarding my interest in volunteering for one month. This would be my very first time travelling to Africa and I eventually learned that it would be far from my last. My initial contact was with Gideon, and we exchanged information and ideas through email and Whatsapp up until my departure. My… read more
Thank you for the feedback. Rest assured that we also desire to improve communication and general organisation. We are leaving no stone unturned. Every day comes with new insights and practical improvement.
Thank you once again for your volunteering time here.
The kids in the school are lovely, willing to learn everything you can share with them. Joseph, the school director, is a great human being and helped me a lot throughout my stay at the… read more
There is so much to teach and to learn in the school! there is so much to give and to receive! So much love, so many… read more
And if you're reading this message with doubts to go or no, just go. Who knows, how many positive changes will may happen!
I was a bit scared at the beginning for going to Africa for the first time. After spending two month in Ghana I realised it is just impossible to not appreciate such a colourful and joyful country.
The work at the school is really… read more
It brought about the much-needed fun and gave the kids an opportunity to express themselves. We believe this education was educationally unique and led to a better appreciation of cultural diversity. Thank you once again.
