Duration of Stay: minimal 3 months.
Number: we can maximally absorb four volunteers in our program.
Working hours: : Monday through Friday, approximately eight working-hours per day. (Other arrangements can be made on individual basis)
Age: Over 18 years. We search for a certain maturity in our volunteers. (This is not always a factor of age)

Selection: Because of the many applications selection may simply relate to the possibility to be placed. (Max 4 persons at any time). We need persons who create a good atmosphere around them, know how to relate with children and are well motivated to help with the development of the children. With ‘motivation’ we also mean that we assume that the time given to serve our children will not be used to travel and visit families of friends. These important activities, we assume, will be scheduled before or after the ‘service-period’. (Exceptions of course always possible). Each volunteer needs to apply with a motivation letter, preferably per email, with CV (resume) attached. If possible an interview will take place in the country where you live. If not we may do with a telephone conversation instead.

Task description: Our now over 60 mentally or multiply handicapped children need your help at the sheltered workshop, more especially at the newly created Nana Yaw Hall’ where we work with autistic children, and at the computer-room where there are 5 computers. We need help from volunteers to give all the interested children a turn in either learning, playing or both, with the computer programs. Furthermore assistance is needed in the various daycare programs and in individual time with our children from the ‘special need program’. These children are daily taken out by ‘their volunteer’ for a walk, games, cuddling and singing, or just being there and trying to make your presence a non threatening one. There are special speech classes and other activities in mutual agreement with the coordinator.

Coordination: Our Coordinator in The Netherlands, Dorrit van Dalen, coordinates the selection and the volunteer time table. Dorrit does the initial intake and may ask a person in the country where you live to set up an interview with you. Alternately there may be an interview by telephone. If desired you may be given the contact-address of an ex-volunteer to share experiences. Mail Ineke Bosman about arrival times, wanting to be picked up and similar issues. She is the founder and final responsible for the community and therefore for the volunteer program as well. Once in Ghana Mr. Joe Ema will be your field-coordinator. He will welcome you, introduce you to the community and discuss your daily program with you in detail.

Culture: There is a possibility to live for part or all of your stay with a Ghanaian host family in Nkoranza village.

Accommodation and Food and :Volunteers can make their choice between living in the volunteer house, living in one of the guesthouses on the compound or living with a family in the village. Combinations are also possible. In a host-family the volunteer has her own room and receives two meals a day. The volunteer house is a nice little house on the compound with four rooms, a kitchen, shower and toilet. Most of the volunteers choose to live at the volunteer house. They usually shop and cook in turns but may also choose to take some of their meals at our local little restaurant.

volunteers house

Weekends and travel: The weekends are free. Often the volunteers use these days to visit, travel or relax. Extensive traveling should be planned before or after the dates gives for being a volunteer. Of course we are flexible to make some exceptions for unforeseen circumstances. However plan before you commit yourself. Try to work out for yourself beforehand how much time you need for traveling before or after your duty as volunteer.

Expenses: The daily rent for a single room in the volunteer house is 4 Cedis. (In 2008 a Cedi equaled more or less a Dollar) If you share your room with another volunteer the cost per room is 6 Cedis. If someone stays in a host family the cost used to be 100 euro per month. (However this is not fully guaranteed as there is a need for review this amount with the hosting families.) This included breakfast and an evening meal. At the volunteer house the shopping and cooking is done by the volunteers themselves. The option is there for everyone to eat at the restaurant. Prices vary but presently one meal costs 3 Cedis. Other expenses, such as extending visa, medical costs, travelling and so on are carried by the volunteer. The Hand in Hand community takes no responsibility for expenses incurred because of illness, accidents, hospitalization, repatriation and other calamities. Each volunteer needs to get the necessary vaccinations and an adequate insurance.

Payment: At the end of each week the volunteer is to pay the expenses for his room, meals and other purchases at our store. Payment is made in cash to our hostess, Sr. Charity. (Note: no more bank-transactions from overseas).

Others: E-Mail Ineke Bosman well in time for date of arrival and flight number in case of a pickup at the airport and drive to Nkoranza. (500 km from the capital and the airport). Cost for hiring a car: 150 euro. A small (or big!) hotel in Accra for the night of arrival can be arranged. Volunteers may also make their own arrangements.