OCEP Ghana :: Work in an African orphanage

Orphanages

Ghana has many orphans. Sometimes they are children of illiterate teenage mothers, who could not face the task of bringing up kids. Often, the mother has died or the child had to be abandoned due to abject poverty, and the father can’t or doesn’t want to look after the children.

In contrast to many developed countries, Ghana’s government does not have the means to take care of all the country’s needy people. Help for people in trouble hinges on personal initiatives. Many orphanages have been established in Ghana by churches and caring people. For their support, they rely on contributions from private persons and the dedication of their founders.

Photos next to the descriptions have been taken at that particular orphanage.

Shelter for Abused Children

The Shelter was set up and is financed by the Department of Social Welfare, in collaboration with UNICEF and funding from the French Embassy. The purpose of the shelter is to give shelter, care and protection to abused children. The nature of cases that come to the Home is: missing children, children in labour, victims of child trafficking, defilement, physical abuse, neglect and abandonment, HIV/AIDS and others. The children are often brought to the shelter by the police, after being reported at the Women And Juvenile Unit (WAJU) of the police service, or at the Department of Social Welfare.

Because the stay of a child in the shelter is only temporary (for example until the child’s parents are located), the number of children housed in the shelter varies a lot. Usually it houses between 10 and 20 children who stay in the shelter for 1 day up to 9 months. The home has a full-time staff of 1 social worker living at the compound. A part-time social worker is available. When there are no volunteers, the first social worker is hardly able to leave the compound for groceries, or to go to the police to ask about investigations concerning the children. The volunteers are more than welcome to entertain, teach and keep an eye on the children so that staff can be fully dedicated to counselling, interviews, administration, police contacts, housekeeping etc.

The place has two largish bedrooms (one for boys, one for girls) with 20 beds or more. There is also an office with 2 desks, a television set for entertainment, some reading and study books for the children. Finally there is a big day room, which also acts as a dining hall, and a large courtyard to play.

Time of year
Anytime

Place
The shelter is situated in a rich district of Accra.

Rural/urban
Urban

Max. Number of volunteers
3

Volunteer Job description
Volunteers will teach the children any subject they can, as most of the children do not go to school. Moreover, volunteers will organise games and activities for the children. In general volunteers will help psychologically scarred children to try and get a brighter outlook on the future.

Accommodation description
Volunteers will be housed nearby the shelter. The volunteers from OCEP will share the house with volunteers from other organisations. The house has more luxury than the ordinary volunteer houses. Volunteers will have a bedroom with a fan as well as a living room with a fan for themselves. There is a a proper shower and toilet with running water and electricity. There is also a kitchen which volunteers could use, to be shared with other people however.

Accommodation cost
The volunteer house is located in a rich neighbourhood in Accra and offers more luxury than other volunteer residences. This means that accommodation cost is higher: 100 EUR per month, payable in advance for the entire duration of stay upon arrival in Ghana.

Meals
Volunteers have to prepare their own meals.

Nectar Home orphanage

Description
NECTAR HOME orphanage is home to approximately 20 children. All are vulnerable children between 5 and 18 years old . The rather little orphanage is a real home for the children and feels like a 'big familyhouse'. Director Fred will explain the way of working and the vision. Mamie Fredrica and Auntie Rose will give you a warm welcome and help you in whatever you want to do.

The compound includes two buildings. Ther is the home itself with two bedrooms for the children, bedrooms for the staff, a kitchen and a small living room. And you have the 'library' with books and other free-time items for the children. There are plans to add volunteers rooms to this building

Time of year
Anytime

Place
90 minutes from Accra by (regular) public transport

Rural/urban
Rural

Volunteer job description
* Entertain and help the children in their free time, before and after school
* Improving the school skills during 'librarytime'

* Providing the kids with plasters and other basic medical help

Many possibilities for other initiatives, depending on your interest:
* Bathing the younger kids
* Painting the houses
* Construction work
* Helping the kids with their homework.
* Telling the kids about HIV/AIDS
* Raising funds for improvements to the orphanage

Accommodation description
You stay in a familyhouse, 20 minutes from the orphanage. You have your own bedroom and share a modern bathroom, kitchen and livingroom.

Accommodation & meals cost
The accommodation charge is 70 EUR per month, feeding during weekdays is 5 EUR per day. Volunteers will be asked to pay OCEP this amount (170 EUR/month) for the duration of their entire stay upon arrival in Ghana.

Ashan Development Centre

Description
Ashan Development Centre is home to approximately 55 healthy children. All are orphans in the broad sense of the word and between 1 and 16 years old.

The large compound includes a Kindergarten school, three bedrooms for the children, a kitchen, a volunteers’ residence, a house for the founder Jim and his wife, and a lot of extra space. Since the orphanage strives to be self sufficient, the compound also has a fish pond, rabbits, goats and a garden. Currently, a bakery is being built, and other projects may be started in the future.

Time of year
Anytime

Place
45 minutes from Kumasi by public transport

Rural/urban
Rural

Volunteer job description
* Entertain and help the children in their free time, before and after school.
* Providing the kids with plasters and other basic medical help

Many possibilities for other initiatives, depending on your interest:
* Bathing the younger kids
* Painting the houses
* Construction work
* Helping the kids with their homework.
* Teaching at the orphanage’s schools
* Telling the kids about HIV/AIDS
* Raising funds for improvements to the orphanage

Accommodation description
There is a volunteers’ residence on the compound, including a living room, bathroom and bedrooms.

Accommodation & meals cost
The accommodation charge is 70 EUR per month, feeding during weekdays is 100 EUR per month. Volunteers will be asked to pay OCEP this amount (170 EUR/month) for the duration of their entire stay upon arrival in Ghana.

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