Ghana
August 2011
Ghana 2011
Community Works Project
Background
The aim of the Ghana 2011 project is to build a school in Offinso-North district of Kumasi in Ghana
Dreamland School was started by James Dugger and Agartha Amponsah in 2003, and their objective is to provide education to orphans, street children and the less fortunate children, and also to provide them with the basic necessities to live, such as clothes, shelter and food.
The school is currently a wooden structure which is prone to flooding in the rainy season, being blown down in winds and open to all sorts of creatures and other elements all year round. These conditions do not make it easy to teach or study
The school currently has 300 pupils with free education for 40 orphans and 60 needy children.
The children are also fed a daily meal; often their only proper meal of the day.
We will be building a 6 classroom block using concrete blocks. It is hoped that the foundations will be laid before we arrive, but if not we will have to dig them ourselves. The cement will be mixed by hand.
The Team
Over the years Overseas Aid has found that a Team of equal numbers of males and females with an age range of 20 to 60 works well. Ideally we would wish to include some skilled tradesmen and a nurse but it is most important to have the willingness to pitch in and work hard from those less or unskilled. For those yet to undertake an Overseas Aid project, this project would be an ideal starting point as being closer to home and for the duration of only three weeks, it will give the experience necessary for those interested in undertaking other projects with Overseas Aid further a field and for a longer duration.
Applicants should be reasonably fit and should not suffer from any health problems which would prevent them from carrying out physically demanding work for eight hours per day, five and a half days per week.
Each volunteer, if accepted, will be expected to make a contribution of £550 to the project cost and to provide all his/her personal kit. £50 is returnable at the end of the project providing the volunteer has maintained a good standard of behavior throughout and has completed the de-brief form and attended the teams debrief session upon return. A recommended kit list will be provided during the training period.
Accommodation
Accommodation will be based in the church hall and very basic. Water supply and power may be very intermittent, and we may have to use solar showers and torches / candlelight.
We will also have to shop for and prepare our own meals. There may also be limited access to phone networks.
Training and Fund Raising
Applicants should be prepared to give up much of their free time prior to departure to prepare for the Project. Training will include keep fit, first aid and training in technical skills. Fund raising is an essential part of the preparation. The funds raised will be used to improve the lives of people in the local community, in areas decided by the Team. Fund raising is an important means of building Team spirit and cohesion. Attendance at team meetings is essential.
Travel & Proposed Dates
At the moment it is anticipated that the Team will be away from Jersey for three weeks in August. Volunteers will be informed of the exact dates as soon as the flights are known.
Local Customs
It is essential that the Jersey Team does not, in any way, offend the local population. All applicants must be aware that restrictions will apply on alcohol and tobacco as well as clothing. Swearing is not acceptable at any time and displays of intimacy may also offend. The Team will be expected to attend church on some Sundays. If a potential volunteer feels that these rules are too restrictive, he/she should not apply.
Free Time
The team will, of course, have some free time. They will have the opportunity to see some of the local scenery.
How to Apply
Application forms are available at the launch evening, anyone not able to attend but still wishing to apply should collect a form from the States Greffe Bookshop at Mourier House, download from our website or by email knisbet.joac@hotmail.com
Applicants should:-
- Preferably have lived in Jersey for at least five years
- Be able to take three weeks leave from their employment/studies
- Be able to give up much of their free time between February and August to be able to take part in training and fund raising activities.
- Be able to pay a £150 deposit on being accepted as a volunteer and the balance of £400 six weeks prior to departure.
