Volunteer Projects

The current volunteer projects where assistance is needed are given below.


Abura School

This school enables young children of primary school age to get a start in basic education.  The original building was made of bamboo with dirt floors (see gallery), and was in a pitiful state.  Friends of Ghana raised money in the UK to build a safer, more solid and sustainable structure to protect the young children from the hot sun in the summer and heavy rains in the monsoon seasons. Shortly after construction of the new building started, the original building collapsed in a storm.

Presently the school has six new classrooms that are built from cement blocks and covered in roof tiles. However, there are a number of jobs that still need to be completed including the floors, doors/windows for five of the classrooms, plastering for the walls, and drainage. In the medium term we are also looking to add a nursery facility, a latrine block, fresh water supply, and electricity. The school is run by a local woman called Madam Suzy and there is  team of young Ghanaians who are teaching the children presently.  We currently need volunteers to help with:

 

  • Teaching
  • Teacher Training
  • Construction
  • Fund Raising

                                                             

Abura Crèche

The crèche has been running for some time now and there are presently about 240 babies catered for each day.  The crèche enables parents to use the facility as a day care centre so they can generate an income working on the Rubber plantation estate. Friends of Ghana has supported this project each year with money to buy clothes and toys.  The conditions at the crèche are very basic and volunteers will need a strong heart to work in this demanding environment.  We now need volunteers to help with:
  • Child Care
  • General Work
  • Health Care
  • Fund Raising


 

 

Butre Volunteer Projects

 

We have now established volunteer projects for the Butre district, they are as follows:

Butre Secondary (JSS)/Primary Schools

The Headmaster of the school has requested assistance from Friends of Ghana, we have (with the help of York College) managed to supply them with 10 computers, they now need help getting a supply of electricity, once that is established (there is a supply close by) we can help teach and train in the use of them. So volunteers are needed for :

  • Teaching
  • Assistng teachers
  • Help in computer room construction
  • Training teachers
  • Put on activities for the students/children
  • Fundraising
  • Linking with schools at home

Butre Creche

There is a large creche in Butre, where volunteers could help assisting in the day to day care of these tiny tots.

Tourism/Eco Tourism

There are now volunteer opportunities to be involved in helping to establish ways of attracting and providing ammenities for tourists to this beautiful coastal region.

Fort Batenstien

This old fort, that dates back to the days of slavery, is situated on a hill, with a breathtaking view, overlooking Butre, the river and the coast. It is at present in a state of ruin and is in need of some preservation, to make it easily accessable and safe for visitors. At this moment volunteers are needed to:

  • Build steps up to the fort
  • Clear vegetation
  • Put up safety barriers
  • Repair some of the stonework
  • And lots more
  • Fundraising

Turtle Watch

There is a big problem here as there is all over the world. The beaches in this part of Africa are breeding grounds of a number of different species of turtle, but are now in danger. The local people will kill them and take the eggs for food (who can blame them),more so now as the fishing in the area is declining, due to big modern fishing vessels from other countries hoovering up the ocean floor and putting nothing back. Therefore we have been asked to set up a monitoring group to work with the communty. Volunteer projects exist for:

  • Beach patrols ( especially,very early in the morning)
  • Liasing and negotiating with the local people, to bring some understanding of the situation
  • Do presentations in local schools
  • Linking with similar organisations to share good practice.
  • Fundraising

Tourism

There is great potential here to promote and create more a sustanable industry for the local people and their economy. Already there are a small number of tourists that visit Butre and the local area, however the area needs some initiatives to attract more. The potential is there, with the river and sea for trips to see the wildlife, dolphins, whales, crocodiles, fish eagles etc. Walks in the rain forest. The beach. So much that the local people could benifit from regarding tourism. Volunteers are needed to:

  • Work with the Butre Tourist Commitee,in generating ideas and projects.
  • Greet tourists and do surveys
  • Liase with the Local Authorities
  • Presentations in local schools
  • Fundraising

Medical

A clinic is presently being built in the village and also there is a hospital close by in Dixcove. We also have through our friends links to the larger hospitals in Takoradi.We therefore can offer a range of placements from just helping in the local clinic or working in one of the hospitals.

Football/Sports

We support the local football teams and have provided them with some kit and footballs. However volunteers are needed to:

  •  
  • Coach the players of local teams
  • Provide boots etc
  • Teach / organise sports in the community
  • Fundraising

 

You do not have to be qualified for some of the posts mentioned above, just a willingness to help, although it would help if you have some background education in the placement you choose.