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.

Christ Faith Foster Home

Description
The orphanage started in 1972. The Department of Social Welfare, which is a government agency of Ghana, normally brings in the children. There are 62 needy, destitute and abandoned children and young adults of ages varying from 18 months to 18 years at the home. There are 4 mothers, who cook as well as take care of the children, and 3 administrative personnel. The Home has an associated Kindergarten, Primary and Junior Secondary School. In addition to catering for the children in the orphanage, the school serves about ten other communities in the area. Most of these children come from poor homes.
The compound is a big field with a nice atmosphere. There are swing sets, lots of animals and different flora. The director of the Foster Home is a knowledgeable man, with more communal projects under his command.

Location
Rural, a town close to Accra, +/- 1 hour drive

Volunteer job description
A volunteer will be taking care of the babies and children in the orphanage. More concretely, he/she will help out the mothers and will organize games and basic education. You can also assist in teaching in the kindergarten (ages 4 - 8). What you do most, depends on your interests. Just to give you an idea: the director is thinking of setting up a small rabbit farm, in which the children can participate and learn, and will raise some funds.

Accommodation description
The volunteer quarters consist of 2 private rooms, which can be turned into doubles. The rooms are on the compound but privately situated.

Accommodation & Meals cost
The accommodation charge is 60 EUR per month, feeding during weekdays is 80 EUR per month. Volunteers will be asked to pay OCEP this amount (140 EUR/month) for the duration of their entire stay upon arrival in Ghana.

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 60 EUR per month, feeding during weekdays is 80 EUR per months. Volunteers will be asked to pay OCEP this amount (140 EUR/month) for the duration of their entire stay upon arrival in Ghana.

Delta Children’s Village and Development School

Delta Children’s Village (DC Village) is a developing village just for children. It consists of a school and an orphanage and is a place where children can experience being part of an education based, living, learning, sharing and caring community. With profits from his own businesses and financial support from his large extended family, the founder Mr. Obeng has created a strong foundation for the village.

The School
Delta Development School (DDS) is part of the DC village and presently serves 250 children with pre and primary schools. Education and meals are provided for free or at subsidized rates.

The Orphanage
Different from traditional orphanages, the orphaned or otherwise homeless children are placed in Guardian Homes in a partnership with DC Village. Children live with their Guardians and receive free education and meals at the DC School. This model is meant to provide a better environment to give the children better opportunities for development.

Time of the year
Any time

Place
Just outside of Accra, to the north

Max. Number of volunteers
2

Volunteer job description
The job description is to care for the children, including feeding, playing with them and there is also the possibility to teach. Besides that, you can get involved in sports activities!

Accommodation description 
The volunteers stay approx. 3 km away in an apartment with a host family. There are two semi furnished rooms in the apartment that can both host a volunteer. The apartment is equipped with electricity, running water, a toilet, bathrooms and a kitchen.

Accommodation cost
The accommodation charge is 60 EUR per month. The host mother can prepare meals for an additional fee to be negotiated between her, the volunteer and OCEP staff. It is possible to leave out lunch if the volunteer prefers to take lunch at school. Volunteers will be asked to pay the negotiated amount for the duration of their entire stay upon arrival in Ghana.

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