Volunteer

Description

VMM are committed to supporting local community organisations in Africa, sending short term volunteers to support long-term, sustainable development projects.

Child care volunteers assist with the day to day running of local creches by organising educational activities and working with small groups of children to help them improve their individual skills. Activities that volunteers may be involved in include:

  Educational early learning lessons including phonics and numbers
  English activities and games
  Dance and group activities
  Maths lessons
  Supervising and interacting during play time
  Organising music and art activities

Baby weighing clinics take place 3 times a month and are held in surrounding villages and are attended by mothers with children who are 0-5 years old.

Volunteers support the charities handwashing projects by helping out at school health education activity sessions.

Volunteers normally work 5 days a week with 2 days off. Generally volunteers start at 8am and finish at 4pm however this can vary. Placements can be 2 weeks - 3 months, with year round start dates.

The kindergarten has limited staff and resources so volunteers are able to help support the local staff and provide focused education assistance to the children.

Although English is the national language of Ghana, the level of English in this area is low since many children speak local tribal languages. All Primary and Secondary school subjects in Ghana are taught in English, so a good understanding of the language is vital for furthering their education. By interacting with the young children in English volunteers are directly improving the children’s prospects.

Volunteers work alongside the local team and act as positive role models for the children, inspiring a passion to learn and developing creative thinking at both the baby weighing clinic and at the kindergarten. Volunteers are able to provide small group and individual sessions with the children which would not be possible without volunteers since the school has limited resources and is understaffed.

For a 2 week placement we would  ask each volunteer to raise €1'100 and for a 4 week placement €1,300. This will cover accommodation, meals, insurance, in-country transport, training & debriefing and 24hour support and a contibution to VMM projects.Flights, visas and vaccinations are an additional cost. Don't let the fundraising put you off as you will be genuinely surprised at how many will want to help you.

Apply through studentvolunteer.ie and we will then send you an application form. Once your application is approved we will hold an interview with you. Upon approval you can then begin your fundraising efforts.

Is training provided?: Yes

Please note that Garda Vetting is required for this position.

Tasks that the volunteer(s) will be expected to undertake:

View our brochure and download an application form here:

http://www.vmminternational.org/volunteer/short-term-volunteers/short-term-volunteering-brochure/

Minimum time commitment per week:
1 hour p/week