Does anyone know of a good place to volunteer in Osu Accra, Ghana?

Question

I am looking to volunteer in Osu Accra, Ghana this summer (from June to September). I would prefer to work with women or children, but any kind of volunteer work would be nice. I already know where I will be living so I don't need a place to supply me with accomodations/meals. I would like to make a donation to the agency, but I don't want to pay a huge fee to volunteer my services (this is usually asked in exchange for accomodations, which I will not need).

Does anyone have any suggestions? I will be staying in Osu, Accra so I am looking for a place that is within walking distance (10-20 min. walk at the most). Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. And if you have any experience with volunteering in Accra, please share.

Thank you!

Answer 1

There is this school;http://www.newhorizon-school-gh.com/school.html They also seem to be happy to take volunteers, see the link on the menu on the left. However, you'd have to check term dates! Getting around Accra by public transport is really easy, so if someone comes up with a suggestion that you like that isn't directly in Osu, don't worry about your ability to get about.

'Save The Earth Network gives the following info: VOLUNTARY WORK PROGRAM

We offer volunteer placements in in Ghana in areas that includes renovation and construction of school buildings and libraries for poor rural communities, teaching children enlish language and caring for them in foster homes and orphanages and also in schools, HIV/AIDS prevention education, re-aforestation (environmental conservation) and agroforestry through tree planting; organic farming, women's vocational training and primary health care work and other community development programs; and christian evangelism. Volunteers could participate in most of
the volunteer programs at all year round. No special skills, qualifications or previouse experience is
required of volunteers in most of the programs. All that is required of them is motivation, charisma, initiative, drive and the compassion to assist the underpriviledged overcome their challenges and their struggle for dignity.

Volunteers can participate in most of the programs from a period of 4 weeks to 52 weeks or more. The cost of participating in the voluntary work program is US$250 for 4 weeks. Payment is made a day after their participation starting time and when they are in Ghana. We offer 25 percent discount on the cost of volunteers who would like to participate for a period of more than eight weeks. The discount begins to take effect after the 56th day of their particpation. The costs paid by the participants goes into their board and lodging, administrative expences of our organization and our projects.

So, I guess you could volunteer but gat a reduced rate as a place to stay won't be needed. See: http://www.gonomad.com/helps/0301/saveearthnetwork.html
You could also have a look at this orphanage in Osu: http://www.volunteerabroad.com/listingsp3.cfm/listing/20026 .

I did volunteer work, through VSO for a couple of years in the Upper East Region, teaching in a secondary school. I visited Accra a few times a year. If you have any questions you'd like to ask, just email and I'll do my best to answer.
Good luck and have fun.
Personally, I loved it!

Answer 2

Hello Kylie, I think I have a great solution for your question ok? I would like to ask you to please check out the Ghana group I have founded. Its http://groups.yahoo.com/group/visitghana/ if you go there I promise you that you will find an answer ok? My group is ALL ABOUT Ghana! Please check it out and I know someone can help you out, thats what my group specializes in, is questions about Ghana! Have a great day! There are alot of members of my Ghana group who live in the OSU area and I know they can help you out:-)

Answer 3

Get in touch with one of those overseas groups.