Swimming Teaching Volunteer Project in Ghana, Accra

Swimming in Ghana
Most Ghanaians do not know how to swim and access to swimming opportunities for young people and children in Ghana is extremely limited, despite the entire width of the country being coastal and there being many public swimming pools available throughout the country! Many people are fearful of the sea even though many communities rely on fishing as their livelihood. This fear comes from a general lack of being comfortable in the water let alone being able to swim in it.

Parents are also very strict and will not allow their children near the water. On top of this, it is generally very expensive and outside the average families ability to afford the high cost associated to using available swimming pools. Your involvement will provide a huge impact on many Ghanaian lives as you teach them how to swim!

Your Swimming Volunteer Placement
You will work with children generally ranging from 5 to 15 who, on the whole, will have never had a structured swimming lesson in their life before. These children come from a number of the townships in Accra as well as our own sporting school of excellence.

With your enthusiasm and guidance you will spend time giving these children a vital life gift, getting them confident in the water and taking them through weekly sessions to progress their swimming technique. You will also get plenty of support from our in-country team allowing you to give as much or as little as you feel able to contribute.

We tend to run sessions for approximately 4 hours per day, giving you ample opportunity to get involved with other projects and activities, or you might just want to chill out on some of Ghana’s great beaches or visit the local markets to buy some gifts for family and friends back home

Your Swimming Teaching Role
Throughout this project, you will either assist or run your own full swimming lessons for groups of approximately 10 children per session. Work with other volunteer swimming coaches to deliver fun lessons for the kids, helping them to get confident in the water and steadily nurture them into competent swimmers.

You will have to assess the ability of the children when you meet them and work on a plan to cover the different stages they are each at with being able to swim or not. We will provide you with all appropriate and necessary equipment such as arm-bands and floats, allowing you to bring in fresh and fun ideas to keep the children positive and focused in the water.

There may also be opportunities to work on delivering theory lessons to the children on important topics such as first aid, health and safety and breathing techniques.

We believe it is important that you try and come for as long as possible (up to 12 weeks) in order to build strong relationships with the kids but to also be fully involved with their swimming development. You will gain a great deal of reward from this project and see the positive change you can make in a child’s life as you give them this life changing gift!

Criminal Records Check
We require you to complete a criminal records check in order to take part in this experience. We can accept those that have been done in the last two years if you have the certificate. In the UK it can be done through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), in the USA further details can be found on Travel.State.Gov, otherwise please search for your local service provider. We may also request a reference from a reliable source. You must supply these to us before departure and also take a copy with you to present to the in-country team.

Why do we require a criminal background check?
1) Ensuring a safe environment is conducive to learning, productivity and overall positive experiences for everyone involved.

2) We implement thorough screening processes and we are committed to safety and integrity, fostering trust among participants and the local community.

3) Conducting background checks serves as a preventive measure, deterring individuals with questionable backgrounds from attempting to participate in our programme.

4) Safeguards vulnerable people from potential harm within the programme.

Swim Teaching Volunteer Projects for a Gap Year, Student Placement or Career Break
This swimming teaching project is the ideal gap year or career break in Ghana. You will share something truly rewarding with the children you teach how to swim whilst giving you the opportunity to visit an amazing African country, share great memories and enjoy adventurous gap year travel. This project is also ideal for summer holiday breaks, so whatever stage of life you are at get involved with this swimming teaching project in Ghana and see what difference you can make.

You can arrive any first or third weekend of the year to start the project on a Monday. Please try to arrive on a Sunday into Accra. We’ll pick you up from the airport and take you back to the accommodation to settle you in and meet the rest of the team.

Please note that some national holidays may cause disruption to normal sessions but our in-country team will do their best to support activities around this.

Visa
Most visitors to Ghana will require a visa to enter. We suggest you apply for a tourist visa and we will supply you with all the required information once you have booked. You can check your visa requirements by visiting the Ghana High Commission website. Please search online for details.

Everyone will also require a yellow fever vaccination to enter Ghana and a certificate to prove you have had this. We also highly advise getting malaria tablets. You should contact your doctor to discuss this further.

Optional Teaching in Ghana
In addition to your coaching role, you will have the opportunity to teach classes, or assist in teaching classes, in one of the sports academies or schools based in Accra. This will give you another impacting experience while allowing you to make a difference outside the world of sport. With a western education, you will be able to contribute massively to the standard of tuition that the students receive. Subject areas include English (language and literature), math, science, journalism, business, IT, RE and a whole variety of extra-curricular activities.

Other Options in Ghana
It is likely that there will be a whole variety of other activities you can get involved with while you are away. Because we have focused in-country teams, they will be able to inform you of other opportunities both inside and outside the capital. This gives you a unique chance to combine projects and experience the country in a whole variety of ways.

Equipment Donation for Ghana
We are dedicated to sustainable development. This is why part of the fee you pay goes towards buying decent equipment for beneficiary organisations in Ghana. You will often use this equipment during your project and it is always left with the community when you leave. In some cases, an equipment donation may not be appropriate so a financial contribution is made instead.

Social Life in Ghana
Our social life is unrivalled and we believe it is important to give volunteers the chance to unwind and have fun while they are away. Our in-country team therefore organises a variety of activities to bring volunteers together, to share their experiences and, above all, have a good time. Some of these activities include visits to the best night spots, group meals, trips away and sports teams where you can to take on local competition.

Akpateshi FC
If you fancy a game of footy while you are away, or simply enjoy the social side of football, you should join our volunteer team, Akpateshi FC. This gives you the chance to play alongside the other volunteers and challenge some serious African opposition. However, although the team has a competitive edge, the emphasis is on the social side of football and is aptly named after the locally brewed bush whiskey! If you play in the team, or simply become a supporter, you will soon see why Akpateshi FC is so renowned for its unpredictable matches and fiery social life.

Travel and Adventure in Ghana
You will be encouraged to explore Ghana during your free time so you can sample some of its breathtaking sights and meet some of Africa’s friendliest people. The capital, Accra, is full of great places to visit and you will meet both locals and other travellers at a variety of bars and restaurants that provide authentic African live music and dancing. There are also a large number of western-style pubs and clubs, including an Irish Bar, an American Sports Bar and a series of dance-venues very close to where you are living. And, if you fancy a football experience to remember, then prepare yourself for watching Hearts of Oak at the National Stadium where the locals wave flags, blow horns and dance on the roofs of the terraces!

Beyond Accra, there are countless places to visit. You could take a Sunday pleasure-cruise on Lake Volta (the biggest man-made lake in Africa) or you might want to visit the history-laden slave castles of Cape Coast and Elmina. You may want to take a walk on the wild side with the elephants at Mole National Park or spot tropical birds in the rainforest canopy at Kakum National Park. Then there is the 60-metre-high Wli waterfalls, the Buabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary (where monkeys are preserved as ‘sacred’ creatures!) and the endless palm-tree beaches lining the Atlantic coastline! The captivating places, intriguing people and diverse landscapes will make Ghana one of the most enlightening experiences a traveller could wish for. Our in-country team will also help you build a travelling itinerary and give you plenty of advice on how to make your way through the country.

Accommodation
The accommodation is basic but comfortable and you will stay in a dormitory style room. The accommodation has a very sociable atmosphere and you will find it a great place to relax and unwind in the evenings. The accommodation is also centrally located to the placements. Shops and other useful amenities are either a short walk or taxi ride away.

Accommodation
Communal House; Basic but comfortable; Dormitory style rooms (4-10 people per room); Shared toilets and showers.

Food
3 meals a day; Basic but nutritious local foods

Airport Pick-Up
Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you are arriving early.

Training
Full project induction and local orientation given on arrival.

Flights; Travel Insurance; Visas; Vaccinations; Spending money; In country travel; Payment for transport to / from placement; Laundry service; Extra activities not on itinerary.

Preferred Duration
Volunteers should try to come for as long as possible preferably for 8 or 12 weeks. This ensures better management of the project and also helps you get the most from the social activities and group travel opportunities on offer.

Typical Hours
Monday-Friday; 4-6 hours a day; Occasional work at weekends but usually free for personal time and travel. Please be aware that some public holidays may cause disruption to times / days during your volunteer project.

Pre-requisites
No prior experience or qualifications are required, but confidence in the water is necessary and an ability to work closely with young people.

Ideal For
Sports gap years, career breaks, gap breaks, gap years and volunteer travel, student holidays and those wishing to teach swimming abroad.

Suitable for ages 17 to 80

Most participants are between 18 and 25, so please be aware of this. We do welcome older people because of the value and experience they bring to the community. We have even had people in their late 70s join us so don't be put off!