About The Placement

Why This Placement?

With the books that we have managed to source we don't want to simple hand these over to the schools, firstly so that these can be shared across the district to ensure the maximum amount of children can benefit and secondly so that these are not 'kept for best' and simply locked away in the school as is what can sometimes happen. The official language in Ghana is English therefore all the school textbooks are produced in English, in the rural areas when this is often not their first language this can be very difficult for the children to then try and learn in depth topics. Imagine trying to learn a science or maths topic when you are already not comfortable in understanding English?! We want to try and develop these reading skills in the youth by providing fun and engaging books to attract their attention especially when the children are so keen on being able to read story books.

What Is Included In This Placement?

Support Staff - Accommodation - House Utility Bills - Pre Departure Support

We charge cost price for this project just so we can cover your stay and employ local support staff to increase loyal employment. This placement includes accommodation in a modern style house for the semi rural area of which we are based with great views and surroundings of the local towns and rainforest. All house utilities are included for your time, you will have use of the kitchen, electricity throughout the house and running water which is a luxury among the area of Kwahu. You will have a member of our local support team living in house or close by depending on the volunteer numbers so there is always someone on hand for any questions or support you may need.

How Do I Get To The Placement?

Budget an additional 20 - 30 cedis per day for transport costs.

We work with a number of schools within the local community and slightly further out. Volunteers will usually take taxis back and forth to their placement site. It is very easy to take shared taxis in town and they are very reasonably priced. Most of our schools will require volunteers to pay transport between 10 cedis and 40 cedis a day, with the average being about 18 cedis. 

The more remote village schools are usually located down tracks and therefore cost a little bit more to reach. Our team will be able to assist volunteers group together for transport and where to find taxis etc. Volunteers are usually able to head off into the town after school easily to shop for food supplies, grab a cold drink or meet up with friends before heading home and the ease of taxis offer a really flexible experience for the volunteers.

What Will I Be Doing?

Depending on the school that you select after your introduction and what you will feel comfortable with, you will be paired up with a teacher initially to view the type of learning they experience and the materials they have available. You will then visit various classrooms and schools on a regular basis working alongside the school's timetable to run a reading/book club, depending on the class and current requirements these may involve:
- Helping to teach phonics to the children that are not yet comfortable with reading.
- Bringing a selection of books to a class and then provide support to the children in their allocated reading time. (Mobile library)
- Having a class all read through one book for comprehension discussion and reporting.
- Working with children to produce their own story books that we can add to the collection.

How Can I Go The Extra Mile?

We are always on the lookout for books so that we can expand this scheme! If you are able to assist in fundraising before or during your trip to help us source extra books that would be great! We have a partner charity in the UK that is able to arrange shipment of a wide selection of reading books and just requires the shipping costs to be covered. If you have any other ideas on sourcing books for this program we are more than keen to hear them!

Who Will I Be Working With?

If the number permits we aim to group volunteers together at a particular school or project. You will work closely with a teacher and report to the Headteacher should you have any issues. A member of our team will also spend a portion of their day at the project to assist in anyway and offer any guidance should it be needed. Most volunteers strike up a strong bond with the teachers and are treat as another member of staff as if you were always there.

What Do We Expect From The Volunteers?

A teaching qualification or experience is not compulsory for this placement, your level of experience and confidence will gauge what level of students would best suit and will be discussed between the team and yourself on your first day introduction. The greatest traits of a volunteer are enthusiasm, empathetic and the ability to adjust to alternative cultures. You will get the most of our your trip by opening your mind to new experiences and beliefs whilst also bringing your own to the table.
We expect volunteers to visit their placements Monday - Friday, exceptions can be made for long weekends of travel etc but we hope for the children and yourselves to get the most of your placement this is kept to a minimum. It would also be possible to setup an out of school book club on an evening or weekend in the local community or library should you be interested in which you alter your weekly schedule around this.

What Can You Expect From Us?

We will be on hand any time of any day to support you in your placement and trip as a whole. There will always be someone you can speak to or get a hold of should you want to discuss anything or require any guidance, from organising after school clubs to changing your placement. Our team living in the volunteer house will also be able to offer advice regarding travel plans and the local area so you will soon feel at home.

What Should I Bring?

Regarding your placement it would be great if you could bring as many reading books as your luggage weight would allow. All fiction, non-fiction at a variety of age levels are needed. Also we advise bringing school materials, arts & crafts items and some ideas from teaching resource websites. These will prove invaluable throughout your placement as there is a lack of materials able to purchase in the local area. Basic pens, pencils and cheap paper are available as well as moderate priced photocopying should you wish to bring activity sheets.

What Happens During School Holidays?

During school holidays if a volunteers assignments falls within these dates then we will organise a holiday school at one of our partner schools. During this time there is a more relaxed setup where volunteers split into groups to run lessons such as arts, English, reading, sports and games. This also has the added benefit of providing parents with childcare during this period whilst they balance their work which is usually farming or trading.
The school holidays usually fall three times a year; few weeks around Easter, few weeks around August and a few weeks around Christmas. Specific term dates are not communicated by local authorities until closer to the time so difficult to tell in advance. Leading up to the vacation, exams may be in place so volunteers can offer an assisting role invigilating, helping out in free times or helping on our other programs.