Volunteer in Ghana (Liberian Refugee Camp: Peace and Education)

Volunteers who join this program will be working with one of our partner organisations in the Buduburam Refugee settlement. The organisation was founded in May 2003 by Liberian refugees who saw the need and potential for peace among their people who have been ravaged by many years of civil war. This need has directed their primary focus to education and peace and reconciliation for Liberians who have been traumatised by the conflict in their home country. Our partner has a range of projects in which international volunteers can become involved. There is space for volunteers to put forward their own ideas in the implementation of our partner's existing projects.

The Program

This project has a great need for volunteers who have training or experience in peace education and conflict resolution, however volunteers with other skills are welcomed also. According to education and experience volunteers will have the opportunity to work with children and adults of all ages in the following projects:

• Education: conduct classes in basic peace education and also assist with general teaching (for volunteers staying longer than one month)
• Peace Village: This is a new initiative to promote peaceful and positive relationships between Ghanaians and Liberians in Ghana. Our partner is setting up projects within a Ghanaian community. Volunteers will help teach children informally (until the school is constructed) and also help lay the groundwork to establish community peace cells in the area.
• Capacity: help staff develop administration and organization skills, organize workshops and fundraising.

Program Location

One of the school projects is located inside Buduburam Refugee Settlement, just west of the town of Kosoa, and about 30 miles (45km) from the capital city Accra. The other projects are based in Aboansan village, about a 30-minute drive from the township of Awutu Bereku where the volunteer guesthouse is located.

Program Schedule

Volunteers can stay from a period of four weeks to three months. Your stay can be extended beyond three months on a case by case basis (depending upon our partner's requirement). You can either start on the 1st or the 15th of each month.

Volunteers will share a room with one other volunteer in the volunteer house: the house is located off the camp. Electricity and a western toilet are available, and all meals are provided. There is no running water.

Program Requirements

Volunteers for this program must:

• be at least 18 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 (Peace) 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 (Peace) program is:

• Cost for 1 month - US $847
• Cost for 6 weeks - US $1172
• Cost for 2 months - US $1497
• Cost for 10 weeks - US $1822
• Cost for 3 months - US $2147

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

You will need a weekly budget of approximately US$25 to cater for all your other expenses like bottled water, internet, personal costs, beverages and entertainment.

The other costs you will need to meet are your flights, visa, immunisations, 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
• All Safe Travel Alert Service
• 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

This program is not currently accepting applications. You may wish to apply for our Ghana Teaching program instead.