Madventurer.com

Challenge:

Building and Teaching

Destination:

*Ghana, Africa Combos

Departure Dates From:

15/01/2011

Overview

Madventurer community projects in Ghana work in partnership with village development committees to build much needed facilities including schools, sanitation blocks and clinics. Our Projects are all based in the Volta Region of Ghana (when Madventurer first started taking out volunteers over 10 years ago) and over the years we have helped build over 100 classrooms and public latrines amongst many other development projects.

Trip Details 

Group size: Minimum of 4 and maximum of 16

Project: Combination of Building and Teaching

Accommodation: Living in a rural house in the village

Age: Minimum of 17 years old and upwards

Airport: Arrival Accra airport

Full Trip Notes:  Included on the links below

Departure Dates: Included at the bottom  

Building

The type of building project we get involved in varies and depends on volunteer numbers. In the past we have helped to build sanitation blocks, water storage tanks, school classrooms, clinics, community halls and basic housing. The key to any project is the partnership between our team and the local community. As well as bringing essential funding to the project, the presence of a team of Volunteers in the village community can be a great motivator to local people. No previous building experience necessary, we hire local tradesmen or craftsmen to do the specialised parts.

Teaching

At what level, and to what extent, teachers get involved is up to each individual. During the first week of the project, the Madventurer Crew Leader will introduce Volunteers who want to teach to the Principal of the local school to discuss the Volunteers interests and skill areas, and how these fit in with the school's needs. Most volunteers teach English.

Pre-departure Links

The following links will take you to our pre-departure information for the Ghana Community Projects. You can access the "Full Project Trip Notes for 2010" departures. The trip notes will give you all the info you need to get organised including itinerary, what to pack, arrivals & departures, accommodation, visas, safety, security, cultural sensitivity plus lots more.

Pre-departure Links 

• Full Project Trip Notes for 2010 
• Pre-Departure Form 2010
• Teaching Pack
• InterHealth Pack - Online Health Information

Ghana Visa Documents - Once you confirm your place with payment we will email over more details on how to apply for your Ghana visa!

 Mad Tribe Blog 

• Mad in Ghana Blogs
• Volunteers photos from May 2010 Project
• Mad Blog from May 2010 Project
• Mad Blog from 2010 Jan/Feb Project
• Project Photos from 2009 volunteers
• Mad in Ghana Photo Albums
• Other Mad Videos

 Other Useful Links 

• Weather Guide from bbc.co.uk
• Money Conversion from Oando.com 

Which adventure can I do with this project?

Music and Magic of Mali 14 day adventure Bamako to Bamako

Community project 14/05/11 - 24/06/11 for 6 weeks then Music & Mali on 26/06/11 - 09/07/11 for 2 weeks

Community project 28/05/11 - 24/06/11 for 4 weeks then Music & Mali on 26/06/11 - 09/07/11 for 2 weeks

Community project 11/06/11 - 24/06/11 for 2 weeks then Music & Mali on 26/06/11 09/07/11 for 2 weeks

July/Aug 2011 - Community teaching and building:

Community project 09/07/11 - 05/08/11 for 4 weeks then Music & Mali on 07/08/11 - 20/08/11 for 2 weeks

Community project 23/07/11 - 05/08/11 for 2 weeks then Music & Mali on 07/08/11 - 20/08/11 for 2 weeks

Ghana Urban Teaching, Medic, Orphanage and Sports Coaching Placements all fit with this adventure. Just contact us on elainel@madventurer.com or 0845 121 1996 and we can help you to find your perfect departure date.

Volunteer Feedback 

Rhiannon Clement Ghana project 4th July 4 weeks 2009

Best bits - I enjoyed mixing with the community, learnt a lot for them. The later part of the building project was better because people were more likely to let us do things because they weren't as skilled.

I really enjoyed my time in Ghana, it's a place I've always wanted to visit, and I got to see it from many angles on the project. I loved staying in the village, the people were really friendly and very concerned for our well-being. They were also very eager to teach and learn from us.

Day in the life of a Madventurer - We would wake up early for breakfast at 7:30, usually porridge, and then head to the school at 8:00. To get there we would have to walk through the village and people would always be shouting greetings, and practising their English. Then we'd start to attempt building, for the first couple of weeks it was very hard work. Villagers were very eager to help, to get the work done, so you had to be careful some didn't whip the tool right out of your hands. While we worked people would be teaching you the names of objects and greeting, you could tell what a novelty we were. After a hard morning's work in the heat we went for lunch, which was always interesting. The food was really good, but sometimes we weren't quite sure what it was. We got to try fufu, banku, and a variety of red sauces. In the afternoon we had a long break, and then would either go back to work, or visit people around the village, such as kente cloth weavers, or palm wine distilleries. After a hot day you could have a refreshing bucket shower, under beautiful palm tree scenery. We spent the evenings after dinner chatting, watching the sunset and playing card games mostly, sometimes people from the village would come to visit, or we'd go to the "sports bar". A couple of times the village drummers came and we'd have a party, there was a special party when the first people left, which was a great way to say goodbye to them. Going to bed was always an experience, having to get to the long drop in the dark, tuck yourself into the mosquito net, and fall asleep to the sound of goats bleating.

 If you have any questions on our community projects or adventures in Ghana then give us a call on 0845 121 1996 or email elainel@madventurer.com