Volunteer in Ghana (Liberian Refugee Camp: Community Development)

Volunteers will be working with the organization Children Better Way, started by Semeh Roberts in 1996 while he was still in Liberia. Roberts saw the dire need for an organization to help the mass amounts of children left behind because their parents were killed or had to flee in the first part of the war. Roberts himself had to flee Liberia in 2000 and found himself amidst thousands of other Liberians at the Budumburam Refugee Camp in Ghana, many of whom were orphaned children. This inspired him to start a new chapter of CBW in Ghana for the purpose of empowering the children with informal education, time to play and interact with each other, as well as teach them and their parents or guardians about health issues. CBW has been working with international volunteers since January 2004 and has made incredible progress as a result.

The Program

Volunteers will have the opportunity to work with children of all ages, teaching English, math, science, and other subjects. Most of the children do not to go to a formal school, as school fees are outrageously high and most adults cannot afford them, so the volunteers may be teaching classes to them during the day, and in the late afternoon or early evening, volunteers will be tutoring and or helping with the homework assignments for the children who can afford to go to school. In addition volunteers will participate in an array of recreational activities for the children, inspiring creativity and self-esteem. There is also opportunity for those with a health background to educate children and adults about personal hygiene, HIV/Aids, pregnancy, etc. Volunteers with an environmental background or just an interest in this area can work with CBW developing sanitation programs and cleanup campaigns for the camp. Please note that you should plan to help out in a variety of areas as none of the current projects are full-time. Volunteers staying for only one month will not work as teachers in a classroom, but may work in other settings with the children. This is to minimise classroom disruption caused by frequently changing teachers.

Program Location

CBW is located inside Budumburam Refugee Camp, just west of the town of Kosoa, and about 30 miles from the capital city Accra.

Program Schedule

Volunteers can stay from a period of one, two, or three months. Your stay can be extended beyond three months on a case by case basis (depending upon CBW's requirement). Volunteers start on the 1st of each month.

Volunteers will live in a house with other volunteers: the house has four bedrooms, two beds in each room, and all linens are provided. There is sporadic electricity and no running water, but there is a gas stove and pots and pans; there is no running water and a western toilet facility. In addition, all meals are provided.

Program Requirements

• must be between 18 and 59 years of age
• be able to walk long distances and be able to tolerate heat
• be available for a minimum of four weeks
• be able to speak English fluently

Program Cost

A US$350 application fee (fully refundable if you decide not to go) will secure your place on the program, with your program fee due for payment eight weeks before you begin your placement. You only pay your application fee once and then you can access any of GVN's volunteer programs over the next 5 years.

Your application fee includes the following benefits:

• Personal Staff Support
• Your Ghana (Refugee) Program Guide
• Your Fundraising Guide and Software
• Access to Your Own Online Journal
• Online Video - Preparing For Your Trip
• Opportunities for Discounts on Airfares

Once your application fee is paid the remainder of the cost for your time in the Ghana (Refugee) program is:

• Cost for 1 month - US $847
• Cost for 2 months - US $1497
• Cost for 3 months - US $2147

To see the cost in your local currency, we recommend you .

The in-country fee covers administrative charge, airport pickup, a direct donation to the project, transport to placement, meals during your placement, and supervision. You will need to budget for your other expenses like bottled water, personal costs, beverages and entertainment. If you are willing to live on a tight budget you can get by on $US20 per week. The other costs you will need to meet are your flights, visa, shots, travel insurance, departure tax and your bus trip back to the airport.

Your program fee includes the following benefits:

• Your In-Country Fee
• In-Country Support
• 24hr Emergency Line
• Membership To The Change Makers Club
• International Travel Advice
• Letter Of Completion

Frequently Asked Questions

We have put together the following page, which answers the majority of questions people have.
Click here

Volunteer Journals

If you would like to read about the experiences of some of our volunteers who are currently in Ghana, you can do so here. This journal service is provided free to all our volunteers.
Click here

Book Resources

We have a selection of books available that you may find useful if you decide to volunteer in Ghana.
Click here

Application Process

We are no longer accepting volunteers as the Buduburam Refugee Camp has been given a deadline to close at the end of October 2008 due to repatriation of Liberian refugees. However, the repatriation process is going ahead slowly, therefore the camp may not close in October. Due to this situation GVN cannot guarantee placements for volunteers after October which is why we are not accepting applications after this period. Children Better Way (CBW), our partner within the camp, has decided to continue with their programs indefinitely. If you are interested in volunteering with CBW directly, ie not through the Global Volunteer Network, please contact .