GROUP VOLUNTEERING IN WITH US DAKAR SENEGAL

GAMBIA MALI

GUINEABISSAU BURKINA FASO

GUINEA BENIN ATLANTIC OCEAN

TOGO NIGERIA SIERRA LEONE

COTE D’IVOIRE GHANA

LIBERIA COTONOU LAGOS LOME

ABIDJAN SEKONDI TAKORADI SAN PEDRO GULF OF GUINEA PORT HARCOURT DOUALA

KRIBI WELCOME TO GHANA AKWAABA!

Futurestars is a UK and Ghanaian registered charity committed to helping some of the most impoverished children in Accra and Tema in Ghana. Our volunteer division - Akwaaba Volunteers - has been welcoming delighted visitors since 2016.

WHY CHOOSE US: We offer the experience of a lifetime, whilst making a positive and sustainable impact. Our diverse range of projects allow our volunteers to give something back to communities whilst gaining great work experience, learning new skills and immersing yourself in the local culture.

There’s something for everyone in Ghana – from the bustle of Accra to the stunning beaches and amazing wildlife. We are committed to providing a responsible and ethical volunteering experience and our dedicated team will ensure your group gets the most out of your time in this wonderful country.

WHAT WE OFFER: • Presentation to the college/ • Extra excursions and activities university from our UK team • Advice and assistance with to inspire future volunteers flights, visas and vaccinations • Organised tours for groups • Full breakdown of costs of 6-20 people + 1 team leader before booking • 2 week or 4 week trips designed • Advice on fundraising to meet the needs of your group • Futurestars project team • Airport transfers, accommodation, on hand in Ghana 24/7 meals and placements

WE HAVE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN: • Teaching • Sports Coaching (football, netball and other sports) • Medicine • Veterinary care

Futurestars and Akwaaba Volunteers - Volunteering in Ghana with us 3 Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world

OUR PROJECTS

TEACHING State education in Ghana is free, however the costs incurred by parents (registration fees, uniform, shoes, books and stationery) means that school is out of reach for many families living in acute poverty.

We work with The Future Leaders School in Accra that gives children from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to get the education they deserve by providing classes, meals, transport, uniform and books at no cost to the students.

As a teaching volunteer, you will assist in the classroom in any year group from nursery to high school. You may work one-to-one with students who need extra input for a number of reasons, including having started school late, or they may be excelling and in need of extension work.

The school is directly supported by our volunteers and we have opportunities for everyone regardless of teaching experience.

4 Futurestars and Akwaaba Volunteers - Volunteering in Ghana with us SPORTS COACHING We have a wide range of rewarding sports coaching opportunities with local teams, clubs and schools.

Football Football is Ghana’s number one passion. Every child grows up playing football anywhere and everywhere they can. Because of this we use football as a tool to help improve the lives of disadvantaged children and create better opportunities in the communities that we work with.

As a football volunteer you will have the opportunity to work with our enthusiastic coaches to help inspire the next generation, bring new drills to develop skills and technique, make football fun and provide a safe and supportive environment for the children.

The opportunities include: • An academy of elite players aged 13- 18 in Accra, some of who go on to achieve scholarships abroad.

• Our “Street to School Soccer Project” from U8 - U15

• Football training run by our qualified coaches at five schools in Tema, including Academy classes for those showing particular talent.

Netball Netball is still a developing sport in Ghana. The introduction to the sport in schools, colleges and universities has seen a huge rise in female participation in sports and created a pathway for interested volunteers to make an impact through their coaching experience.

We have been working hard to train coaches across Accra and use Netball as a tool to teach girls about sexual health education to help prevent common problems of teenage pregnancies, abuse and dropping out of school. You will work alongside local coaches to improve the quality of coaching and to provide a better understanding of all aspects of the game to allow hundreds of enthusiastic and passionate girls in our community to play.

Other sports that we have opportunities for include Boxing, Tennis, Rugby, Hockey, PE and Basketball.

Sport has the power to change the world. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair

Futurestars and Akwaaba Volunteers - Volunteering in Ghana with us 5 MEDICINE If you are looking to study medicine at university or to further your experience applying to our Medical Project programme can really make your application stand out!

You will shadow a doctor in one of Accra’s largest hospitals. each week experiencing a different ward within the hospital depending on your experience and areas of interest. Your doctor will ensure that you learn about every aspect of the hospital and much about medicine in Ghana in general.

VETERINARY CARE If you have a passion for working with animals, particularly in the field of Veterinary medicine then this voluntary project is the perfect way to gain some knowledge or put your skills into practice.

You will work in local clinics and practices to help deal with walk in patients and learn about the problems that people in Ghana are faced with when dealing with animals. The aim is to be involved in one surgery each week and one outreach trip outside Accra. You will work closely with, or shadow members of the veterinary team who will encourage you to get involved, be inquisitive and to learn.

6 Futurestars and Akwaaba Volunteers - Volunteering in Ghana with us

During your stay in Ghana you will live in Akwaaba House - our shared house which can accommodate up to 24 volunteers from all over the world. King and Jordan who run the volunteer project live here, along with our friendly experienced staff.

Based in Labadi, a pleasant suburb of Accra, we aim to create a lively, vibrant environment to make you feel at home. We have large social areas where you can put your feet up and relax both inside and outside, a dining room for you to enjoy our home cooked food and large single sex bedrooms where you can crash after a busy day.

Akwaaba House is five minutes from the beach and a 20 minute drive from the city. All placements are located in and around this area and the transport links are well established. Local amenities such as convenience stores, pharmacies and forex bureaus are all within easy reach of the house.

Our number one priority is to make sure that you feel safe and at home during your stay here. Ghana is known as one of the world’s friendliest countries and you will soon see why. The house is located in a very quiet area within a large gated compound and our friendly and experienced staff will be around to help you with everything you need.

LIVING IN GHANA

FOOD During your stay in Ghana we provide three meals a day. Breakfast is basic but nutritious, (with delicious local fruits as they are available). Lunch and dinner are prepared by our talented chef who cooks a combination of local and western dishes so you can try everything Ghana has to offer whilst not missing home! If you have any special dietary requirements we will do our best to accommodate you. Our dining area is a great place to reconvene after a busy day, share stories and experiences and plan how to make the most of your time here.

SLEEPING We have a number of large single sex bedrooms for volunteers with comfortable beds and ceiling fans to keep you cool throughout the day and night. All rooms have shared bathrooms.

STAFF Our experienced British and Ghanaian staff live on site with the volunteers to make sure you get the most out of your experience. Our staff create an optional activities programme for volunteers to take part in, including cultural experiences (cooking lessons, local language lessons), visits into Accra and to see the local area (including museums, markets, the beach and Salsa night) as well as travelling opportunities to visit slave castles, mountains, waterfalls, animals and more!

Futurestars and Akwaaba Volunteers - Volunteering in Ghana with us 9 EXCURSIONS

DAY TRIPS WEEKEND TRIPS • Makola Market (The biggest in Accra) • Safari - Visit Mole National Park to get face to face with elephants, baboons and more.

• African drumming lesson • Waterfalls and Mountains - Visit the Volta Region to climb West Africa’s highest mountain and swim in the tallest waterfalls. You can also visit a monkey sanctuary • Craft Market shopping trip and learn how to weave Ghana’s traditional Kente Cloth. • Pool / beach days • - Visit the historical fishing village and former capital of Ghana to see • Shai Hills Nature Reserve the slave castle and learn of Ghana’s past. There are also beautiful beaches to visit.

• Art lessons • - Ghana’s second largest city boasts the largest market in Ghana, the King’s • Visiting other projects Palace to learn about the Ashanti Kingdom, as well as the opportunity to relax at Lake Bosomtwi or take a horse ride around the lake. • City Bicycle Tour • Beaches and Surfing - Head to the western region for beautiful beaches and • Salsa Night / Evening activities surfing lessons. Two weeks - £1,500 per person BUDGET Four weeks - £2,000 per person

THIS BUDGET WILL COVER: EXTRAS: • Return Economy Off-Peak flights • Hospital fees for Medical students £100 • Airport transfers in the UK & Ghana • Veterinary fees for Vet • Vaccinations & Visas students £200 • Accommodation in the Akwaaba House in single sex, shared rooms (WIFI included) • Spending money - allow £10 • Three meals a day and purified drinking water per day or a little more if you • Orientation on arrival and transport to Futurestars projects plan to buy lots of souvenirs in the excellent markets • Team on hand 24-hours a day whilst in Ghana • Additional excursions in and • Project contribution around Ghana, these will be Please note the budget is based on off peak flights; high season will attract a planned and budgeted at supplement and flight prices can increase substantially. We will assist you in the time of booking securing your flights and will give support and advice on vaccinations and visas.

Akwaaba Volunteers is part of Futurestars - Registered Charity number: 1177808

Futurestars and Akwaaba Volunteers - Volunteering in Ghana with us 11 MEET OUR TEAM

JORDAN PALMER SIMON MILTON EMMANUEL OKYNE-TETTEH Akwaaba Project Manager Director Futurestars Project Manager

KING BOATENG TITUS BRAMBLE SILAS DONKOH & B. ASARE WILSON Akwaaba Coordinator & Coach Ambassador & Lead Coach Coaches

To book the trip of a lifetime email us at [email protected] www.futurestarscharity.org.uk www.akwaabavolunteers.org.uk

Registered UK Charity Number 1177808