The success of any community project relies on the relationship  between the project participants and the local community. This relationship is built on the shared goal of wanting to complete a much needed local amenity such as a classroom block. The presence of a team who genuinely want to contribute their time and resources in helping a community is a great motivator for both the visitors and the village and for the overall success of the task undertaken.

 

Project work generally takes place in the morning and late in the afternoon to avoid the hot midday sun. As well as learning how to make cement or lay bricks for example, there will be plenty of time to get involved in other aspects of day to day village life. This may include teaching in the local school or organizing a football match with the villagers (who always win!) or even heading to a wedding or a local festival. As a general rule work takes place Monday to Friday depending on progress, and therefore allows opportunities to explore further afield at weekends. Most popular is to hire a local Tro Tro and driver and all head to the beach!

 

 

 

 

Food and Accommodation

 

You will have food and accommodation in the village where your project is based for the duration of the project. Accommodation can be fairly basic as we are living in the village but it is always comfortable and clean. All the food is prepared in the village by some of the women with your help if you’re not up to your neck in cement! Most of the meals are local dishes with plenty to go round. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Bagged purified water is available at all times. 

 

Free time and excursions

 

Most evenings there is the chance to pop down to the local ‘spot’ bar for a well earned drink to chat over the day and maybe play a game of 'Oware' with the locals. There is always the chance to grab a lift into town to help with picking up provisions or building materials, giving you a opportunity to try out your bargaining skills. Weekends are generally free and most people head off together somewhere to relax. There are plenty of waterfalls to visit, Ghana's highest mountain to climb (all 600m), beaches to relax on or the city nightlife of Accra to experience.