Please see the NOTICE ON PROGRAM UPDATES at the bottom of this sample itinerary for details on program changes. Please note that program activities may change in order to accommodate COVID-19 regulations. GHANA: Children of Africa™ Beating drums, children's laughter and warm greetings welcome you to become family in the heart of West Africa. OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS On this program you will step onto the flat, sandy land of Ghana ★ and immediately hear the laughter of children everywhere. This Tutor children at a village primary laughter will be the soundtrack to your trip, and a source of energy school ★ as you volunteer among one of Africa’s most passionate and kind Help build and refurbish school communities. Ghanaians are known for their smiles, vibrancy and facilities ★ welcoming nature—you’ll see bright colors in the land, stitched into Discuss current social issues facing traditional clothing and adorning your Home Base. Your presence Ghana’s women and children ★ will infuse the classroom with excitement as you inspire students Hike to a beautiful waterfall ★ toward success in school. Learn traditional African dance, batik fabric dyeing, drums and percussion ★ Explore outdoor markets and historic sites experienceGLA.com | +1 858-771-0645 | @GLAteens 21-DAY FLAGSHIP PROGRAM Tuition: $5,399 Service Hours: 60 June 24 -July 14, 2022 Language Hours: 0 July 18 - August 7, 2022 Max Group Size: 32 Age Range: 14-19 Student-to-Staff Ratio: 8-to-1 Airport: Accra (ACC) 14-DAY PROGRAM Tuition: $3,799 Service Hours: 40 June 25 - July 8, 2022 Language Hours: 0 July 12- July 25, 2022 Max Group Size: 30 July 29- August 11, 2022 Age Range: 14-19 Student-to-Staff Ratio: 8-to-1 Airport: Accra (ACC) SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY SERVICE Volunteer in primary schools to help improve English skills, tutor those who might be falling behind and contribute to each school’s needs, including making improvements to the facilities. Split your time between teaching and campus refurbishment projects to serve every aspect of the school, and learn all about education in Ghana. Try to keep up with the children as they invite you to play soccer and schoolyard games after class! SAMPLE ITINERARY: DAILY BREAKDOWN Actual schedule of activities will vary by program session. The information detailed here is typical for what you can expect to experience; however, service work and the order of activities may vary depending upon the needs of our local community partners, various celebrations and customs, as well as the weather and specific needs of the student group. 14-Day Program 21-Day Flagship Program DAY 1-2: GETTING ACQUAINTED DAYS 1-2: GETTING ACQUAINTED Fly into Accra, the capital of Ghana, where you’ll be met at Fly into Accra, the capital of Ghana, where you’ll be met at the the airport by a GLA staff member. We’ll drive to the GLA airport by a GLA staff member. We’ll drive to the GLA Home Home Base, where you’ll meet other students and get Base, where you’ll meet other students and get settled into settled into your new home! You’ll have the rest of the day your new home! You’ll have the rest of the day to rest up, learn to rest up, learn some of the local language (Krobo), explore some of the local language (Ewe), explore the area and visit the the area and visit the schools where we’ll complete our schools where we’ll complete our service. service. We’ll spend an afternoon with a “host family,” immersing We’ll spend an afternoon with a “host family,” immersing ourselves in Ghanaian culture and getting to know the ourselves in Ghanaian culture and getting to know the members of the local community. We’ll also learn about the members of the local community. We’ll also learn about the history of Ghana and this particular community from a local experienceGLA.com | +1 858-771-0645 | @GLAteens history of Ghana and this particular community from a local leader. leader. DAYS 3-7: SERVICE, MARKET VISITS, COOKING CLASS Each day we’ll wake up early, as does the village, and spend our mornings serving the community. Daily service may include teaching in the classroom, running summer school activities in a local park, or building bricks to be used for school and community projects. We’ll return home each day for a hearty lunch and then head out to see what adventures the afternoon has in store for you: visiting the colorful markets, helping prepare a local dish at the Home Base kitchen, learning about life in nearby fishing villages. DAY 3: SERVICE ORIENTATION & VILLAGE TOUR Service begins! Today we’ll get an orientation to our community service projects before touring the local village and visiting a market. Later, opt to meet with a local seamstress to design your own clothing using traditional fabric you purchased at the market. Seeing how it turns out is part of the adventure! In the afternoon, we’ll visit the park to play with the local children and we’ll finish up the night preparing lesson plans for our service. experienceGLA.com | +1 858-771-0645 | @GLAteens DAYS 8-10: SERVICE & LEARNING We’ll continue to work on projects at our school and community sites near Home Base. If you’re teaching, you might use extra hours in the evening to come up with lesson plans for the students in your class. Builders will be there to assist with the construction projects you will work on. In the afternoons, we’ll break from work to participate in more cultural activities: Opt to meet with a local seamstress and design your own clothing using traditional fabric you purchased at the market. Seeing how it turns out is part of the adventure! Every evening we’ll have self-reflection with fellow DAY 4: BATIK CLOTH DYEING GLA students and mentors, and watch documentaries that remind us of global issues in our neighboring communities and Today we’ll participate in Batik cloth dyeing. Batik is a how to address them with positive action. technique of wax-resistant dye applied to cloth to make a pattern or design. The technique is a culturally important part of Ghana and is commonly used for clothing and decoration. With assistance from a local artisan, you will make your own Batik cloth that you will keep. DAY 5: CEDI BEAD FACTORY Today we’ll visit the Cedi Bead Factory, an internationally DAYS 11-14: SERVICE & CULTURE recognized bead production company. You’ll meet local artisans and learn about the cultural significance and the The connections with the school’s children will grow stronger artistic role of bead-making in Ghana. Students will also as you continue to spend your mornings working on different have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs such as areas of service. In the afternoons, we’ll meet with inspirational necklaces, bracelets, and more. grassroots leaders in the community and learn how they are addressing pressing issues facing Ghanaian women and In the afternoon, we’ll meet with the village chief, who will children today. We’ll also plan a “field day” for the children with teach us more about the local community. special games and activities. experienceGLA.com | +1 858-771-0645 | @GLAteens DAYS 6-9: COMMUNITY SERVICE Each morning we’ll awake early, as does the village, and DAYS 15-16: WEEKEND EXCURSION spend mornings at primary schools, either teaching in the classrooms or doing physical work for school refurbishment We’ll awake early and travel to Ho for the weekend, a small projects. We’ll return home each day for a hearty lunch and town located about three hours from the GLA Home Base and then head out to see what adventures the afternoon has in the capital of the Volta Region. Here we will visit an orphanage store for you: visiting the colorful markets, helping prepare to hear from its founder about his vision for caring for the a local dish at the Home Base kitchen, and more! We’ll also children, many of whom who have lost family to HIV/AIDS. spend time at a local park in the afternoons where you’ll have a chance to play with local children in an informal We’ll also see a demonstration of traditional Kente weaving and setting. you’ll have the chance to practice yourself. Our group will have the opportunity to purchase Kente items such as cloth, ties, bookmarks, bags, and more. Our second day in Ho, we’ll hike to a beautiful waterfall near a small town and relax near the water. Later, we’ll visit a monkey sanctuary, where you’ll have the opportunity to feed the monkeys. If you’re patient (and the monkeys are hungry), they’ll eat bananas right from your hand! Before heading back to the Home Base we’ll learn how to make our own batik cloth. Batik is a manual wax-resistant dyeing technique used to design cloth and artwork. DAY 10: WATERFALL HIKE After several long days of service at the schools, we’ll take a experienceGLA.com | +1 858-771-0645 | @GLAteens break and set out for some adventure! We’ll spend the day hiking to the beautiful Boti waterfall and relaxing near the water. DAY 17: SLAVERY IN OUR WORLD DAY 11: SAJUNA BEACH RESORT Over the weekend connect with history at the Keta Slave Fort, A student favorite! Take a full day to go to a local beach one of 45 slave forts built by the Europeans along the West resort where you’ll have a chance to unwind by playing African coast during the 1500s.