Summer School
Education is the engine of economic development, so becoming educated is probably the most significant means for personal success. Despite the fact that basic education in Ghana is supposed to be free and compulsory, 50% of children from Primary do not reach Junior Secondary School. The average illiteracy level in the region is 40.4%, and as high as 64.7% in poorer areas.
The "Ghana Summer School' is a programme providing free summer education for poor children in the Ashanti region. The program commenced in the Summer of 2008 and is still growing strong.
Lasting three months, the school will offer core subjects to over 150 children who cannot afford the fees of traditional summer education in the region.
Staffed by international volunteers, the children will be taught English, Maths, Science and Sport to help them study towards their exams, and keep up with their peers.
Ghana Summer School will be open to children aged 8-16, whether or not they currently attend school, in order to encourage those children who cannot afford formal education to attend.
Volunteer
If you would like to contribute in our efforts to offer summer education to disadvantaged children in the area, we would love for you to join us. Teaching experience is not required, just an enthusiasm for communicating and having fun with children.
Light for Children will offer comprehensive support during your programme, and you will be placed with other volunteers with whom you will be able to socialise and travel with at weekends. The programme will be worthwhile, varied and include an end of School show where the children will showcase their talents in the forms of songs, poems and other performances, which you will assist in and will be worked towards throughout the summer.
Introduction weekend
Daily activities
- Teaching English, Maths, Science and Sports to children of varying ages
- Playing games and interacting with the children
- Offering one on one support when required to children with special needs
- Organising lesson plans with other volunteers
- Organising an end of term show
Host Family and home stay
Your home stay is likely to be the highlight of your visit to Ghana. There is no better way to learn first hand about life in Ghana than by living among the local people and participating in their lives through helping with chores, cooking and other activities, and being treated as a member of the family. The friendships made while living with a family can last a lifetime.
You will be part of the host family, sharing their food and living as they live. Most Ghanaians live in small, simple houses; living conditions may be very basic; learning to adapt is part of the pleasure of living in a foreign land, and these will be the memories that will stay with you.
Living Conditions
Ghanaian houses are simple. You will find a separate sleeping room and sometimes a separate living room. Your host family will have electricity and running water, but be prepared to take baths from buckets. Normally, you will get a simple room with a bed. Sometimes it is possible that you will have to share your room with another volunteer, although 90% of the time you will be furnished a separate room. We recommend bringing a mosquito net.
Food and accommodation
LiFoC will arrange accommodation (with host families) and food for volunteers. Placements will be within 10-20 miles of communication, transport and medical facilities.
Imported foods are very expensive, so you will eat local produce most of the time. Ghanaian cuisine consists of rice, vegetable stews, maize porridge, and occasional meats. Food is provided twice a day: a light breakfast in the morning (coffee/tea and bread), and an evening meal such as fufu (manioc roots pounded and cooked and formed in a thick paste), kenkey (fermented dough made from maize) or banku (a stiff porridge made from maize) served with rice and fruits/vegetables.
Even though Ghana is considered a very poor country, there will be enough food for you and the whole family. Additionally, you could buy fruits or cookies and share them with your family.
Daily life
Ghanaian families are quite large. There may be grandparents, parents and children living under one roof and sharing the daily activities. As part of this community you should be open and try to help and involve yourself in tasks carried out "at home". Your hosts will be interested in showing you their way of life. Additionally, you could support them by doing the dishes and cleaning your room. Sometimes you might just watch TV or play cards with the whole family.
Younger family members are especially interested in learning more about your family and culture so don't forget to bring some pictures and tell them something about your life. Perhaps you may even get the chance to cook and show how food is prepared in your country.
Most of the families have experience with volunteers and will give you all the necessary advice and support you need to feel comfortable. Some family members will speak English. In case you have any problems or you are not sure how to behave or what to do, feel free to ask them. Additionally, LiFoC staff will visit you on a regular basis. You can address any problems to the office in Kumasi by telephone or E-mail.
Cost
| One month programme fee | 349 GBP |
| Two months programme fee | 449 GBP |
| Three months programme fee | 549 GBP |
Minimum stay one month. Recommended stay three months
The program fee includes the following:
- Pre-departure information and support
- Visa Extension
- Airport pickup
- One night in Accra at a hostel
- Transport to Kumasi
- Transport to Lake Bosumtwi from Kumasi for orientation programme
- 3 nights in hotel at Lake Bosumtwi
- Accommodation and food for the duration of your stay
- Support from project co-ordinator
Introduction Weekend
Lake Bosumtwi is the largest national lake in Ghana and has 24 villages surrounding it. It was formed by a falling Meteorite 1.3 million years ago and the lake is said to have curative, healing powers! The scenery is very beautiful with mountains and jungle surrounding the lake. These three days are the perfect start to any volunteers' Ghanaian voyage!
During these 3 days the volunteers will be attending:
- 4 hours of drumming and dancing (2 day course, 2 hours every day)
- A lecture on the health situation in Ghana
- A Do's and Don't in Ghana "inter-cultural" session. (A dummies guide for Foreigners)
- Three boat trips will be arranged – destinations include visiting villages and viewing the beautiful scenery
- Twin language classes (Twi is the dominant local language in Ghana, 2 day course, 2 hours every day)
- Daily guided trekking tours around the lake and in the jungle
- A lecture of the history and economy of Ghana
- The volunteers will attend an African gospel music event with drum and dance at one of the villages
- A story telling event in the evening at a local village and at the same time pay homage/respect to the chief of the community
NOTE: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner and sachet (bag) water are included.
Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages will be paid by volunteer.
Orientation in Kumasi
After 3 days at Lake Busumtwi the volunteers will get a guided tour of Kumasi. Lunch will be at a local road-side Ghanaian restaurant. The volunteers will visit the restaurants, post office etc. After this the volunteer will be picked up by their host family and this will be followed by an introduction to their work placement.
Program Co-ordinator
Mike Owusu Gyimah
Mike has been working with different volunteer/study abroad organizations for the last 6 years; School International training (SIT, American organization), Student & Youth Travel Organization (SYTO) and presently he is the Ashanti-regional co-ordinator for Volunteer Abroad Canada. Mike is also working as the project coordinator for a child centered NGO called African Hope Foundation of Ghana (AHFOG).
Starting Dates
This years program will be running between June and September.
Questions and Sign-up
Please contact Mike Owusu at lightforchildren@yahoo.com for any questions and for more information on how to sign up for the program!