The Trip Cost is payable to Madventurer to cover all your support costs such as your airport transfer, food, accommodation (including your first night in the capital if you arrive at night) and daily transport from your accommodation to your Project site if required.

The Charity Donation is made to the MAD (Make A Difference) Foundation - Reg UK Charity No 1111805 - to cover all the Charity's support costs such as Project Materials and to aid community development, education and health. This may be raised by creating a fundraising page via the website Virgin Money Giving if you are a UK resident.

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.

Volunteer Case Study: Dan Morrell

Dan Morrell, 19, was a student from Wiltshire who spent a few weeks in Ghana, the country where Madventurer began in 1998. Dan split his time between building and teaching in a small village.

Ghana is home to some of Africa’s friendliest people, stunning beaches and scenery. In terms of economic growth it achieves double the per capita output of other countries in the area, though people’s income is one of the lowest on earth.

Many students hope to travel during or after their studies and Dan agrees that a good way to do this is with company like Madventurer, which offers a wide range of projects and adventures in some of the most exciting places in the world.

“I needed to travel in between study and needed a break from Western civilization. A project with Madventurer provides a safety net for new travellers, whilst giving younger adults the chance to learn independence.”

Madventurer’s projects also offer students a chance to connect with the people in the local communities, a part of the trip which many volunteers enjoy and therefore miss the most. Dan agreed saying “I really miss the villagers we stayed with.”

With tailored trips ranging from 2 to 6 months, a project with a company like Madventurer could be the ideal escape from your studies, a rewarding and exciting way to spend your summer or even an extra option when if the worst happens and you don’t make it into your preferred university.

“It gives someone the time to re-asses there attributes characteristics and goals and find what is really important to them. Once you have found this then you can decide what future career prospects are right for you.”

Other useful links

If you would like to check out the weather in Ghana just follw this link - Weather Guide from bbc.co.uk

For money conversion just follow the link - Oando.com