School Support & Teaching Volunteer

You may be paired up with a teacher to start as a teaching assistant or you may be given a class to teach yourself based on your experience and confidence after you have chosen a school and relayed what you feel comfortable with. Although the idea of having your own class may initially seem intimidating, the children's sheer enthusiasm and desire to learn will be a great push to spur you forward on the way. 

Where you feel that your teacher is a 'really good example' and you don't think you can bring anything to help, this is simply not the case. Even in developed nations, as we're sure you are aware, there are teaching assistants and learning support departments to lend a helping hand to children who struggle, particularly in Ghana where it can be very challenging for children to learn advanced topics in English since it is their second language and many of them are not comfortable using it continuously.

Basic reading, writing, and creative arts instruction are typically required for younger kids, however we urge older kids to not only improve their pre-existing skills but also breathe new ideas and life into their textbooks. The volunteer house's storeroom contains a wide variety of instructional materials, and we encourage volunteers to use their free evenings and weekends to arrange the courses for the upcoming days. 

A good example that we recently witnessed was for a Primary 4 class of students ranging in age from 10 to 14, who were learning the topic of solids, liquids, and gas in science. This topic is typically only dictated on the board with occasional notes made or exercises completed. However, a volunteer noticed this upcoming topic in a textbook and planned a low-cost practical lesson, which was then followed by a poster each student made to take home and a board display to not only brighten and improve the classroom but to provide continuous learning even for the next class to use the room.

Who will I be working with?

If the number permits, we try to put volunteers in groups at a certain project or school. When placed in the schools, you will work closely with a teacher and, if there are any problems, report to the headteacher. You will interact with our on-site coach in person when you visit the academy. A member of our team will also devote a portion of their day to the project in order to offer support in any form and if necessary. 

Majority of volunteers develop close relationships with the teachers and are treated like regular employees. Early on, as a way of saying thank you, it is not unusual to be invited to dinner at their homes.

What do we expect from a volunteer?

A teaching degree or prior experience is not required for this placement; instead, the team and you will discuss this during your initial meeting to determine what level of students would be most suited based on your expertise and confidence. The greatest traits of a volunteer are enthusiasm, empathy, and the ability to adjust to alternative cultures. You will get the most of your trip by opening your mind to new experiences and beliefs whilst also bringing your own to the table.

We expect volunteers to visit their placements Monday – Friday, exceptions can be made for long weekends of travel, etc.

What can you expect from us?

We will be available to help you with your placement and trip as a whole at any time of day. If you have any questions or need any assistance, from setting up and modifying your schedule to switching your placement, there will always be someone to speak to you. To help you quickly feel at home, our team members who live in the volunteer house will also provide advice on travel arrangements and the surrounding area.

What should I bring?

We suggest packing a lot of school supplies, arts and crafts supplies, and some lesson plans from teaching resource websites for your placement. Although there are few resources available for purchase in the area, these will come in very handy during your placement. If you want to bring activity sheets, you can get them inexpensively photocopied here for all students as well as basic pens, pencils, and paper.

What Happens During School Holidays?

During school holidays if a volunteer's placement falls within these dates then we can arrange either a holiday school depending on the number of volunteers or we can run sports clubs and competitions for the local children at one of the fields in town. 
The school holidays usually fall three times a year; few weeks around easter, few weeks around August and a few weeks during December.

• 07:30am - Volunteer transport leaves the volunteer house to project sites
• 08:00am - School starts
• 10:30am - 11:00am - Morning Break
• 12:30pm - 01:00pm - Lunch Break
• 03:00pm - School closes
• 03:30pm - Return to volunteer house
• 03:30pm onwards - Free time
• Please note this is an example of a schedule. Times vary for different schools and term times. 

After school, volunteers are free to go shopping in the local markets, return to the volunteer house or visit the local swimming pools.