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Ghana is located in Africa, in the northern hemisphere, very close to the equator. The southern part borders the Atlantic Ocean, to the north it borders Burkina Faso, to the east Togo, and to the west Côte d’Ivoire. Approximately 24 million people live in Ghana. Accra is the capital of the country, and the official language that volunteers will encounter is English.
Ghana enjoys a tropical climate, primarily humid. Volunteers should be prepared for warm temperatures year-round, with an average annual temperature between 23 and 28 degrees Celsius (73 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit). Similar to other countries in the region, Ghana is characterized by continuous rainfall, although the rainy season is concentrated mainly from April to September. Koforidua, the city where Cooperating Volunteers focuses its volunteer activities, clearly reflects the characteristics of the country’s tropical climate. The average annual temperature in Koforidua is 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit), and rainfall occurs throughout the year, with June being the wettest month.
Ghana follows Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) year-round, with no Daylight Saving Time, keeping the time consistently at UTC+0.
The official currency in Ghana is the cedi. One cedi equates to €0.25.
The programs are located in Koforidua and Accra
The stay begins as soon as the volunteer is picked up at the destination.
The meals included in the project/destination will be provided at the accommodation. Meals will not be included for the journeys to the destination, the excursions undertaken by volunteers, etc.
The stipulated pick-up times for each destination/project must be respected. Volunteers who arrive outside of this day/window will have to pay an additional cost, depending on the destination.
We at Cooperating Volunteers Ghana collaborate with several volunteer programs in Koforidua, a tranquil city in southern Ghana. Volunteers at this location will be engaged in projects at our partner orphanages, schools, and hospitals.
Some of the volunteer programs in Ghana are based in the city of Accra, which is the country’s capital city and largest urban center of the country. This coastal city is located in southern Ghana.
The program sites are located 20-40 minutes away from the volunteer accommodation.
FOR VOLUNTEERS CHOOSING PROJECTS IN KOFORIDUA:
Volunteers must arrive at Kotoka International Airport in Accra (airport code ACC), where they will be picked up by local staff and transferred to their accommodation. Volunteers should arrive on the designated Fridays before 8:00 PM, as we make a weekly trip to the airport to pick up volunteers arriving on that same Friday.
FOR VOLUNTEERS CHOOSING PROJECTS IN ACCRA
Volunteers must arrive at Kotoka International Airport in Accra (airport code ACC).
The arrival days and times are Saturdays and Sundays from 06:00 to 24:00. They will be picked up by local staff and transferred to their accommodation.
If the volunteer arrives outside of these hours, they will need to cover the taxi cost.
If the volunteer’s flight arrives on Saturday, please note that they must book an extra night at the accommodation, with a cost of €35, as the weeks run from Sunday to Saturday.
Ghana is home to people of different ethnic groups and tribes. As such, the volunteer will find a gastronomy that draws from a huge mosaic of cultures. Almost all of the dishes follow the same composition: a cereal or rice-based stew accompanied with a meat or fish soup.
Ghana has an airport in the capital city, connecting Accra with other countries. However, to get around within the country we recommend using land-based transport. Koforidua is connected with the rest of the country, and the capital city (Accra), by a network of motorways. This is the only way of getting in and out of the city. Once you’re there, the best way to get around Koforidua is by car or taxi. However, it may be easier to go by foot or by bike if you’re only covering a short distance.
To travel from the volunteer house to the sites of the various projects, you will need roughly €1.50 per day to travel in a taxi with other volunteers.
| 2022 Friday | |
| January 07 & 21 | July 08 & 22 |
| February 04 & 18 | August 05 & 19 |
| March 04 & 18 | September 02, 16 & 30 |
| April 01, 15 & 29 | October 14 & 28 |
| May 13 & 27 | November 11 & 25 |
| June 10 & 24 | December 09 & 23 |
| 2023 Friday | |
| January 06 & 20 | July 14 & 28 |
| February 03 & 17 | August 11 & 25 |
| March 03, 17 & 31 | September 08 & 22 |
| April 07 & 21 | October 06 & 20 |
| May 05 & 19 | November 03 & 17 |
| June 02, 16 & 30 | December 01, 15 & 29 |
Arrivals are scheduled for Saturdays and Sundays from 06:00 to 24:00. Volunteers will be picked up by local staff and then taken to their accommodation.
If a volunteer arrives outside of these hours, they will be responsible for the taxi cost.
For volunteers arriving on Saturday, please note that they must book an extra night at the accommodation since the weeks run from Sunday to Saturday.
Many of our volunteers take the opportunity to explore Ghana at the end of their volunteer program. There’s good reason for this, as Ghana is home to two locations that have been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the castles of Lake Volta, which is the world’s largest reservoir; and the traditional Asante buildings, which were once the residences of tribe leaders but have since been converted into sanctuaries. If we take a look at the areas in which the volunteer will work during the program, Koforidua is home to one of the country’s most iconic tourist attractions. This is the Obuo Tabri mountain, which is considered by locals to be sacred. Another of its main tourist attractions is Umbrella Rock which, as its name may suggest, assumes the shape of an umbrella. The area is also home to various beautiful waterfalls, which can be discovered by hiking.
Volunteers in this program will be working with children from rural orphanages in Koforidua. In Ghana, there are two main types of orphanages: state-funded and privately operated. State-funded orphanages are often large, urban, and institutional, while private orphanages tend to be smaller and rely on support from organizations.
The organizations dedicated to these volunteering programs manage the orphanages, which often struggle to obtain the necessary resources. These orphanages receive funding from local groups, churches, and individual donations.
As a volunteer, you will be assigned to one of the three orphanages we collaborate with, all of which are located in the rural outskirts of Koforidua.
One of these orphanages is situated within a school. If you’re assigned to this particular orphanage, you’ll have the opportunity to teach subjects such as mathematics, English, and literacy, among others.
The children living in the orphanages we work with are fortunate to have a home, food, and access to education. Both the children and the staff members at these three orphanages are welcoming and eager to embrace the volunteers. A significant part of the program is dedicated to teaching, caring for, and engaging in recreational activities with the children.
Availability: the program will be open year-round
Medical care in countries like Ghana can sometimes be very limited and have very scarce resources. In this program the volunteer will experience the day-to-day processes that take place in local hospitals, clinics or small medical centres in Ghana and in this way will be able to assist local medical staff.
The volunteer will share and assist doctors and other medical staff in administering essential treatments to patients. You will also be able to facilitate medical care to the poorest communities by visiting patients and families with medical staff.
Please note that you will not be required to do any formal medical work. During your stay you will have the opportunity to enjoy, learn and be able to support local medical staff in Ghana’s medical facilities. The program is recommended for medical or nursing students who want to learn how medicine works in Ghana.
The cost of transport home from the program is not included and must be borne by the volunteer. It is estimated to cost €2 to €3 per day.
AVAILABILITY: this program has a minimum stay of 4 weeks.
Put your sporting skills to use and teach others how to play. Pass on your sporting knowledge to Ghanaian children and teenagers, who love to learn and, above all else, play. Run coaching sessions, organise games, show the students how to correct their technique in order to raise their level and share some special moments with them. Volunteers are able to coach a range of sports such as football, boxing, golf, tennis, athletics and swimming, amongst others. The facilities in which you run the sessions will vary in accordance with the sport. You may be based in a gym, a school or a local club, etc. The volunteer won’t be expected to lead sessions on their own. Sometimes he/she will be supported by local coaches. All that matters is your enthusiasm, with this program being open to everyone from novices to qualified coaches.
The cost of transport from the program to the volunteer house is not included and will be borne by the volunteer. It is estimated to be between 2 to 4€ per day.
The program runs from Monday to Friday, about 3 hours a day. On weekends it may be that the training team plays matches, or that the volunteer attends tournaments where he/she also participates.
Medical care in countries like Ghana can sometimes be very limited and have very scarce resources. In this program the volunteer will experience the day-to-day processes that take place in local hospitals, clinics or small medical centres in Ghana and in this way will be able to assist local medical staff.
The volunteer will share and assist doctors and other medical staff in administering essential treatments to patients. You will also be able to facilitate medical care to the poorest communities by visiting patients and families with medical staff.
Please note that you will not be required to do any formal medical work. During your stay you will have the opportunity to enjoy, learn and be able to support local medical staff in Ghana’s medical facilities. The program is recommended for medical or nursing students who want to learn how medicine works in Ghana.
The cost of transport home from the program is not included and must be borne by the volunteer. It is estimated to cost €2 to €3 per day.
AVAILABILITY: this program has a minimum stay of 4 weeks.
This program is designed for volunteers with a professional background in physiotherapy. It offers a valuable opportunity to apply your professional skills while making a positive impact on others. During this program, volunteers will collaborate with understaffed and underfunded community clinics and sports organizations, providing essential physiotherapy services to local patients and athletes. Volunteers will work alongside other physiotherapists and students from Ghana. This volunteering opportunity is an excellent way to combine a professional getaway with personal growth and experience. An extra pair of hands is always highly appreciated in this field.
AVAILABILITY: this program has a minimum stay of 4 weeks.
In this program, volunteers will have the chance to teach students while also benefiting from a reciprocal exchange of skills, ideas, and culture with Ghanaian children and adults. The majority of the program will be dedicated to assisting local children in enhancing their artistic skills. Simultaneously, volunteers can gain knowledge from local artisans, participating in activities such as jewelry design, painting, and crafting wooden sculptures, among other creative pursuits. It’s important for volunteers to keep in mind that their interaction with local artisans depends on their availability. Additionally, volunteers may incur extra expenses for materials like paintbrushes and paint in this type of project.
Volunteers will assist teachers in various primary schools and rural orphanages in Koforidua. Although English is the official language in Ghana, many children struggle to speak it fluently. English is primarily used orally in classrooms but is rarely spoken outside of school. At home and with friends, students often use Nigerian Pidgin, which is a blend of English and their native language. Moreover, since gaining independence, fewer Ghanaians speak English proficiently compared to 50 years ago. Without proper English language skills, students may settle for less favorable job opportunities. Your role will involve supporting teachers in the classroom and helping children feel more comfortable speaking English. You’ll focus on improving their listening and speaking skills through interactive and enjoyable activities. Students often show more interest when being taught by international volunteers than by local teachers. English isn’t the only subject you can teach; you can also assist in science, mathematics, art classes, and more. Volunteers with knowledge or interest in ICT can help with primary school’s ICT classes, as computer skills are limited in Ghana. No prior teaching experience or degree is required to participate in the teaching volunteering program. All volunteers are capable of teaching basic English, and you can choose the subjects you’d like to teach.
Availability: The teaching program in Koforidua for 2023 will run from January 18th to December 17th, with school holidays on the following dates (subject to change by the government): April 12th to 18th, June 10th to July 25th, and September 30th to October 9th. Alternatively, you can apply for the orphanage program in Koforidua.
As a volunteer, your role is to guide the young people of eastern Ghana, assisting them in shaping a promising future in the world of sports. Sports, particularly football, holds immense interest among the Ghanaian population. Young athletes from Accra are often supported by their schools, families, and local clubs. Similarly, young individuals from more affluent regions receive financial backing, providing them with opportunities to advance in sports. Over time, these aspiring athletes may capture the attention of regional, national, and even international sports teams. However, these athletes face limited opportunities to compete, often having to abandon their sport at its peak due to resource constraints. Our sports volunteer program aims to support underprivileged athletes by engaging volunteers in secondary schools in Koforidua. Your responsibilities will include organizing sports activities and delivering Physical Education lessons to children who are enthusiastic about learning and improving. This work involves both theoretical and practical coaching. To participate in this project, you don’t need to be a professional athlete, coach, or physical education teacher. However, if you fall into any of these categories, we encourage your participation. What’s essential is a passion for sports and teaching. You will enjoy working alongside these children and teenagers, actively participating in various sporting activities.
It’s amazing how interested they get when they realise the enthusiasm of the volunteers. Your presence represents the biggest motivation for these future athletes to start practicing sports.
Availability: The sports program in Koforidua 2023 will start on 18 January and end on 17 December and will be closed for school holidays on the following dates (subject to change by the government): 12 to 18 April, 10 June to 25 July, 30 September to 9 October. Alternatively you can apply for the orphanage program at Koforidua.
The cost of transport from the program to the volunteer house is not included and will be borne by the volunteer. It is estimated to be between 2 to 4€ per day.
The program runs from Monday to Friday, about 3 hours a day. On weekends it may be that the training team plays matches, or that the volunteer attends tournaments where he/she also participates.
On this volunteer program, volunteers will be engaged in construction or repair tasks, which may take place in a school, a medical clinic, or a community center. The specific tasks assigned to the volunteer will depend on the community’s most pressing needs at any given time. Teamwork is highly emphasized and valued in this volunteering program. No prior experience in the construction industry is necessary, as volunteers will collaborate closely with experienced local builders. These skilled builders will guide them in using equipment and provide instructions on how tasks should be completed.
The cost of transportation from the program to the accommodation is not included and should be covered by the volunteer. It is estimated to be between 2 to 5€ per day.
In this program, volunteers have the opportunity to contribute to the enhancement of education standards for Ghanaian students by providing support to teachers in the classroom. They will share their knowledge and teach subjects such as mathematics, history, English, science, and foreign languages. Volunteers will be assigned to a local school in Accra, where they will be responsible for teaching various classes. These classes are generally aimed at primary and secondary school students, as they are the age groups that require the most assistance. Volunteers are strongly encouraged to contribute their own ideas, as they can greatly enhance the effectiveness of the classes. While volunteers will receive support from the school’s staff and local teachers, the goal is for them to become as self-reliant as possible in their teaching endeavors.
The projects of our medical volunteer program are located in the two main hospitals of Koforidua. There are several branches and they are spread over many departments. Volunteers are needed at any time for surgery, physical therapy, emergency, maternity, trauma, nursing, dentistry and general medicine.
The head of the department you are assigned to will act as your supervisor. You may work alongside him or her directly or have a designated member of staff to help you.
Regardless of which hospital you are assigned to, you will enjoy a job that will give you plenty of opportunities. You will be able to take as much time as you need for each patient, interacting and observing as a medical student.
This medical volunteer program gives you a unique opportunity to experience and learn first-hand about medical practice in developing countries. Therefore, you will observe some things that are not often practiced in the hospitals you know. An open mind is required for the success of your project work. All volunteers are required to be medical students or doctors, nurses, or other health professionals.
IMPORTANT: Minimum stay of 3 weeks.
REQUIREMENTS: Student or professional certificate. For the medical program the minimum stay is 3 weeks. There is an extra cost of 100 $. Only for the professional doctors already qualified, the cost will be 200 $.
They will be accommodated in the Volunteer House. Volunteer houses are a combination of vacation stays and volunteer residences. This means that we also have rooms for our staff in these residences. With this system, our staff becomes your family away from home and will provide important support for your work in the projects. Volunteers and staff form lasting friendships and stay in constant contact through our alumni networks, even after completing the volunteer work. Each room can accommodate 3 to 4 volunteers. The rooms are equipped with bunk beds and storage space. Additionally, each volunteer has their own keys to access their room. The accommodation has a western-style kitchen and laundry facilities, a garden, outdoor terrace, and a spacious living room. The building is located in a secure compound. As part of your volunteer accommodation, we will provide you with 2 meals each day during your volunteer program (Breakfast and Dinner). If volunteers want to try the local food outside the volunteer residence, it will only cost them about €3, approximately. Occasionally, volunteers can eat at the orphanage if the center provides lunch for the children. Or, whenever they want, they can use the house kitchen during their volunteer project.
When volunteers arrive at the airport (ACC Kotoka International Airport), the local coordinator will pick them up and accompany them to the house where they will be staying and where they will share the following days with the rest of the volunteers.
The volunteer will be accommodated in the program center located in Accra, specifically in the coastal city of Teshie.
In the accommodation where volunteers staying for programs in Accra will live, three meals a day are included from Monday to Friday, and two meals a day on Saturdays and Sundays.
In the Accra accommodation, rooms are separated by gender. The programs are located 20-40 minutes from the house. Staff remains in the house 7 days a week to assist volunteers with anything they need.
The accommodation will serve typical Ghanaian dishes mixed with Western food. Typical Ghanaian food includes rice dishes, beans, fruits, vegetables, chicken, beef, and fish.
The total cost of volunteering is divided into 2 parts: the registration fee paid to book your placement (210€) and, separately, the program cost paid later (in euros).
210 € per week
245 € per week
210 € per week
280 € per week
280 € per week
210 € per week
280 € per week
470 $ per 2 weeks
630 $ per 3 weeks
770 $ per 4 weeks
*** The construction, medical and physiotherapy volunteer programs have a fixed cost of 210 euros per week.
If your currency is not specified, you can convert your costs here.
*** The medical volunteer program has an additional cost of 100 USD (approx. €85). The orphanage volunteer program has an additional cost of 40 USD, which is paid upon arrival at the destination.
Visa, flights, travel insurance (obligatory), vaccines, return to the airport, lunch costs and other personal expenses. (*** Volunteers in Ghana will generally find that €40 (approx. 50 USD) is enough to cover basic weekly expenses.)
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Our volunteers will be able to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.
What does volunteering focused on university practices involve?
At Cooperating Volunteers, we make agreements with different universities to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.
The specialties we work with are extensive: medical volunteering, nursing, education, social work, psychology, physiotherapy, engineering, architecture…
The practices can be carried out in our designated destinations for this purpose, as well as in Spain.
If you choose an international destination, it’s a unique way to live an unforgettable and enriching experience, as you will have the opportunity to continue your education in another country, with a completely different culture.
Stepping out of our comfort zone and being part of the various projects at the destination will allow us to grow both personally and professionally, creating a more extensive curriculum.
And we are fully convinced that this experience will accompany you throughout your life.
You will be able to visit hospitals, schools, centers, orphanages, and participate directly and actively in the daily lives of all those people at the destination, always accompanied by other professionals willing to collaborate hand in hand with you and guide you in daily tasks.
If your university is not part of the agreement with Cooperating Volunteers, you can contact cristina@cooperatingvolunteers.com so that we can get in touch and make this experience a reality.
Corporate volunteering consists of tailored programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills.
It is proven that teamwork directly impacts productivity.
Collective effort surpasses individual capabilities, promotes diversity of skills, stimulates creativity, and facilitates problem-solving in the face of various challenges.
Therefore, it not only maximizes efficiency but also enriches the work environment.
We conduct corporate volunteering programs that consist of customized programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills, improve performance, and foster unity among employees.
We tailor projects to the corporate identity and size of the company, and we can adjust them to any destination and time of the year.
The advantages of corporate volunteering include:
The future is aligned with a more responsible society, and participating in social projects positions our company among the list of revolutionary businesses that want to be part of the change.
If you resonate with this message, corporate volunteering is a unique experience both individually and collectively, and at Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the process to make it a unique journey.
Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members.
Spending quality time with family and being able to disconnect from our hectic routines is not only enriching but also necessary.
Sometimes we forget to communicate, connect, and dedicate time to each other. Each one of us lives focused on our jobs, schools… And it’s necessary to find the opportunity to pause and take care of ourselves.
Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members. And of course, it creates lifelong positive memories.
At Cooperating Volunteers, we suggest moving away from those ‘more superficial’ trips (which can also be fantastic), but we invite you to live this experience to bring out our most empathetic and humanitarian side.
Family volunteering gives us the opportunity to be part of a positive impact, promoting values of solidarity and social responsibility.
There are many families who choose to experience these trips focused on cooperation and direct involvement with different communities around the world, where living conditions are very different and sometimes entirely precarious.
Projects are tailored to different ages, allowing us to work together.
An incredible way to fill our suitcase with memories, learning, and knowledge.
And although stepping out of our comfort zone often feels daunting, we assure you firsthand that it’s worth it.
At Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the entire experience, from start to finish, to make it unforgettable.
At Cooperating Volunteers, we believe it’s never too late for anything, especially for volunteering and living a unique and unforgettable experience.
There are many people, increasingly so, who opt for responsible travel that involves social work.
Accustomed to organized and mostly touristic trips, at Cooperating Volunteers, we want to advocate for a more enriching experience, one that transforms us from within and allows us to be part of the change the world needs to see.
We can adapt both the destination and the duration of our projects to fit your needs.
It’s an opportunity full of emotions that allows us to significantly contribute to different communities and their evolution. And you can participate in different areas such as education, social support, or assistance in different centers.
Some of the benefits include:
Living this experience will undoubtedly be a before and after.
A volunteering initiative with leadership and impact through the educational action program.
When we talk about social volunteering, we refer to all those actions and activities carried out altruistically, selflessly, and with the aim of addressing multiple problems and needs of different communities, always focused on education and self-sufficiency.
Education is essential because it provides the tools and knowledge necessary for personal, social, and economic development.
Our goal is to create self-sufficient communities and provide opportunities for the future personal development of each member. The message is not to ‘give’, but to accompany in the process of training for self-managed provision.
At Cooperating Volunteers, many of our destinations and projects embrace this type of volunteering. Some of our projects include: community programs, education, women’s empowerment…
And although they are completely different from each other, they share a single objective: progress towards a society that can embrace us all in the same way.
If you are someone who is restless, who needs to see a change in the future, volunteering is an experience tailor-made for you.