Only 360€ per week!
Building Project
Accra - Ghana
Assist locals with much needed construction, repairs and renovations. Get your hands dirty and engage with the community!
Our projects are dictated by community need. As a result, you may be renovating a school, building a home, or constructing a community centre. No matter which phase of a project you join, be assured that your contribution will be lasting and greatly appreciated. No experience is necessary, as you will be working alongside locals with lots of experience using local materials.
Program
Living
Ghana
Program Description
By joining a building project, you will bring the (wo)manpower that is needed to fuel the construction. Projects are selected by community need. This therefore creates a variety of different projects. Education and sanitation are usually at the top of the list, but we are also very keen for participants to work on recreational projects, such as pitch flattening and community centres. These often provide a great focal point for the community
You will join a team of other participants and locals, all of whom will work closely together for the common goal. The Ghanaian workers are skilled and know how to use the local materials, so they will act as your guide and no doubt, teach you many 'tricks of the trade', ensuring the construction can be done quickly and efficiently. Since the projects vary, so do the tasks, but keep in mind this is physical work. There will be days that challenge you because they are strenuous, but don't be put off. All of the projects accommodate participants of reasonable physical fitness and you will never be asked to do anything that you do not want to do. Chances are, you will find that being outdoors and working as a team is a fun and truly rewarding experience!
Please be advised that the daily transportation costs to and from your program are not included and must therefore be paid by yourself throughout the course of your stay. Those costs may range from 2 – 5 Euros per day.
Aims & Objectives
- Assist the locals with construction and renovation efforts on an organized team
- Create cultural exchange opportunities through our efforts with the locals
- Give you some practical experience in light renovation work
- Develop your teamwork and skills through hands on activity
Schedule
Monday
- Breakfast
- Introduction
- Lunch
- Introduction
- Dinner
Tuesday to Friday
- Breakfast
- Working at one of the building projects
- Lunch
- Working at one of the building projects
- Dinner
Note: This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
Participant Criteria & Requirements
Standard Requirements
Minimum age: –
Maximum age: –
Minimum English level: Basic
CRB required: On Signup
Passport copy required: No
Resume copy required: No
Required qualification: None
Additional Requirements
It is a requirement that you MUST have a yellow fever vaccination and must obtain a certificate as proof. You may be asked to produce this certificate at the point of entry into Ghana and can be refused entry if you don’t have one. There may be other vaccine recommendations listed that you may want/need to get before starting.
Additional Equipment
No specific equipment required for this program.
Location
Accra is the capital and largest city in Ghana, with a population of over two million. Accra stretches along the Ghanaian Atlantic coast and extends north. Our accommodation is located in Teshie, a coastal suburban town on the east side of Accra. It is a quickly growing suburb that’s getting bigger and bigger every day. Teshie is rich in its diversity and has its own train station for easy transport.
About the Accommodation
During your stay here in Ghana you will be accommodated at our center here in Accra. The accommodation is located within a gated community. Rooms are generally dorm style and are separated between male and female. Programs are located about 20 – 40 minutes away from the house and participants are responsible for their own transportation costs to and fro. Staff remains on site 7 days a week to assist participants.
Food Arrangements
Typical Ghanaian dishes mixed with western food will be served at the accommodation. Typical ghanaian food includes rice dishes, beans, fruits, vegetables, chicken, beef and fish.
Facilities
It is close to all amenities with the closest shops within a 15-20 minute walk. ATM is 15 minutes away by taxi. Restaurants and bars are 20 minute taxi ride.
Activities & Events
No scheduled activities outside the program.
Sights & Surroundings
Cape Coast
Lake Volta
Elmina Castle
Manhyia Palace
National Museum of Ghana
Kwame Nkrumah National Park
Accra Mall
Bojo Beach
Aburi Botanical Gardens
Transportation
From this location we do not provide free transport to other locations.
Quick Facts
Name: Republic of Ghana
Population: 27 million
Capital: Accra
Language: English
Currency: Ghana cedi (GH₵)
Time zone: GMT (UTC +0)
Country Information
This multicultural nation is in the western region of Africa, south of the Sahara. Bordered by the Togo in the east, Burkina Faso in the north, Ivory Coast in the west and the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean in the south. Ghana's President is both head of state and head of the government. They now have one of Africa's strongest economies, which together with their democratic political system have made them to a regional power in West Africa.
This country has succeeded in keeping its culture alive for centuries making it an amazing place to visit. Its diverse geography and ecology ranges from coastal savannahs to tropical jungles. Once known as the gold coast, Ghana is the second largest producer of gold in Africa and today Ghana is also the second largest producer of cocoa beans in the world.
Climate
Geographically speaking, Ghana is located only a few degrees north of the Equator, giving it a warm climate that is relatively mild for its latitude. There are two main seasons, but to be on the safe side, expect everyday to be hot and the humidity to be high. During rainy days it usually just rains for a short while, but occasionally it can rain for the entire day. Temperatures tend to hover around 22-30°C.
Wet season
The north experiences its rainy season from April to November. The south experiences two rainy seasons each year. The heaviest rain there is from April until June, and a lighter rain is possible during September and October. Rainfall ranges from 80 to 215 cm a year. You can still expect to experience hot days, in both the north and the south.
Dry season
Hot winds from the Sahara desert blow into the northern part of Ghana in late December and continues until mid-February, this is called Harmattan. Some years this can be pleasant, as it dims the sun and decreases the humidity. Other years a bad Harmattan day will look like a big London fog, except it’s dust. The Harmattan is more intense in the north and this is a perfect time for wildlife viewing as animals congregate at the water holes during this period. Since the coast is in the south, you will likely find even more humid weather than in the north.
Culture
There are over 100 ethnic groups living in Ghana. The largest are Akan (45%), Moshi-Dagbani (17%) and Ewe (14%). The Ashanti tribe of Akan are the largest tribe and one of the few societies in West Africa where lineage is traced through the mother and maternal ancestors. They were once famous for their luxury and wealth rules, but today are more known for their craft-work.
The bond of family is very strong in Ghana and it is the primary source of identity, loyalty and responsibility. Family obligations take precedence over pretty much everything else in life. The entire family shares loss of honour, or the pride of success, which makes the culture a collective one. People are respected because of their age, experience, wealth and position. Therefore, you can always see preferential treatment for the eldest member in the group.
Gastronomy
The centuries old culture of Ghana has even managed to be reflected gastronomically! Most Ghanaian dishes are often served as thick stews or sauces with meat. It is common that dishes include home grown ingredients or local crops, even soups will contain some of the local groundnut or palm nut. Some stews and soups are tomato-based as tomato is another popular ingredient in the country. Most meals also include a starchy component such as boiled yams, rice or cassava as well.
Transportation
There are quite a few ways to travel in Ghana, although not all drivers are licensed. Insurance and registration stickers are displayed in the front windshield of all vehicles, so use your judgement on the condition and appearance of the vehicle and the driver. Keep in mind that most of the road accidents in Ghana are caused by tires that are in bad condition, so choose wisely!
Buses are recommended for long distance journeys. They provide the best balance between safety, price, speed and comfort. Be prepared to pay a bit extra for luggage. Tickets for the buses can be sold out, sometimes days in advance, so book your ticket ahead of time whenever possible. All taxis in Ghana have orange corners for easy recognition. Always ask for the price before jumping into the car, then offer him the half of that. After that, you can work together through negotiation to find a happy medium.
