Challenging and worthwhile volunteering trips in Ghana

African Adventures School Trips

Why should you consider Challenging and worthwhile volunteering trips in Ghana with African Adventures for your next School Trip or Educational Visit?

Ghana's rural Volta region is located on the south eastern coast of the country, close to the beautiful Keta Lagoon. While Ghana is seen as one of the economic successes of West Africa, this has not been replicated in rural areas, where agriculture and fishing are the backbone of the local economy. For many children, bringing in an income is often prioritised over attending school.

Our trips focus on supporting government-run schools, all of which are severely underfunded. Through our partnerships, we provide financial and humanitarian support to enable our partner schools to develop. Volunteers can make a tangible difference whilst developing a range of skills, before returning home as more rounded individuals.

The schools we work with are are passionate about providing opportunities to young people and encouraging more children to attend school. As a member of the UN Global Compact, your students will help us drive the UN Sustainable Development Goals, leaving a lasting legacy at your partner project.

Away from volunteering, your students will have the opportunity to explore this breathtaking coastal region. They can choose to visit a local market, take part in a drumming lesson, or relax with a visit to one of Ghana's unspoilt beaches.

You can also choose to add an exciting adventure activity to your trip. Your students can walk amongst the treetops at Kakum National Park, unwind with an overnight stay at Keta Lagoon, explore Cape Coast Castle, or visit a protected monkey sanctuary - there's something for everyone!

Challenging and worthwhile volunteering trips in Ghana photograph

school tours Challenging and worthwhile volunteering trips in Ghana

Challenging and worthwhile volunteering trips in Ghana school groups

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Example Itineraries

DAY 1 - Arrival
You will be met at the airport by African Adventures’ friendly in-country team, who will take you to your accommodation.

DAY 2 - Day to relax
This is a day for you to explore the local area, and there’s plenty to do. Your group can choose to visit the beach, take a trip to the local food market, watch the sunset at Keta Lagoon or attend a traditional Ghanaian church service.

DAY 3 - Project Welcome Day
You will head to your partner project for your first day of volunteering. Be prepared to receive a warm welcome from the teachers and children!

You will have a lunch break during the day, and will have the opportunity to play with the children. At 3:30pm you will be picked up by our in-country staff and taken back to your accommodation.

Before and after dinner, you can relax at your accommodation, or enjoy an afternoon activity as arranged with your Trip Host.

DAYS 4-8 Project Days
Continue volunteering at your partner project.

DAY 9 - Cape Coast Adventure Weekend
You will travel to Cape Coast, stopping for lunch in Accra on the way.

Your group will begin a walking tour of Cape Coast Castle, learning about the brutal treatment of slaves in the 1700s. You'll have time to digest the information from the tour and relax at Cape Coast beach, before checking into your hotel for the evening.

DAY 10 - Cape Coast Adventure Weekend
Your group will head north to Kakum National Park. You will begin a 45-minute hike in the rainforest to learn about the wildlife and vegetation. You can then take in the spectacular views by walking a treetop canopy trail. After this, your group will travel to a local restaurant, built over a crocodile pond, for lunch, before heading back to Woe.

DAYS 11-12 Project Days
Continue volunteering at your partner project.

DAY 13 - Final Project Day
After spending the morning wrapping up your volunteering work, there will be a farewell celebration at your partner school. Be prepared for some emotional goodbyes!

At 3:30pm, you will be picked up by our in-country staff and taken to your accommodation to relax before your celebration dinner.

DAY 14 - Departure
Unfortunately, it is time to head home! You will travel back to Accra with your Trip Host for your journey home. In Ghana, we don’t say ‘goodbye’, we say ‘see you soon’!

Which Curriculum Subjects do you cater for?

Ghana played a pivotal role in the slave trade, and the history of this dark and turbulent period can still be seen in the Volta region today. During your trip, you can visit Cape Coast Castle - once used to hold slaves before they were sent to the Americas. This harrowing historical site now serves a reminder of the brutality suffered in the 19th century, and as a tribute to all those who were enslaved.

As a member of the UN Global Compact, we help drive the UN Sustainable Development Goals and your students will be working towards long-term sustainable plans agreed with your partner project.

Our partner schools are located in the rural Volta region, on Ghana's south eastern coast. Lake Volta is the largest man-made lake in the world, and volunteers can learn about the crucial role that the lake plays in the region by irrigating the land, generating hydroelectricity, and acting as a fishing ground for the local economy.

Through volunteering at our partner schools, students gain a greater understanding of the world around them, including the similarities and differences between their lives and those of the young people we support in Ghana. This enriching experience promotes equality and diversity, meaning students return home as more responsible, active global citizens.

What size groups do you cater for?

Minimum 10, maximum 150.

Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?

Students with disabilities and/or restricted access needs are welcome to apply for a place on our trips. We will request full details of the individual's needs and subsequently carry out a risk assessment, factoring in the environment, facilities and objectives of the trip, to ensure that he/she can participate fully in the programme.

Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

Students with special educational needs are welcome to apply for a place on our trips. We will request full details of an individual's needs and discuss their participation with the trip's group leaders to ensure that he/she can participate in the programme.

Anything else?

At African Adventures, we run all our trips from start to finish, meaning our friendly staff take care of every element of your trip whilst you're in-country. Once you book, you'll be looked after by a dedicated member of our UK groups team, who will build the itinerary you want and help answer any questions you may have before you travel.

You can manage your trip through our dedicated online portal, My African Adventure (My AA), which contains everything you need to know about your trip, and includes helpful tools and resources for you and your students to use prior to travel.

Many of our volunteers fundraise towards the cost of their trip, which means an African Adventure can start long before you step on the plane. In fact, in 2019, 41% of our youth volunteers fundraised 50% or more of their trip costs. This element of the trip can be as valuable as the trip itself and we've got lots of ideas to get you started. You'll also find plenty of support on My AA.

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Who are African Adventures?

African Adventures is an award-winning social enterprise that has been delivering meaningful volunteer experiences for students for over 10 years. We are passionate about providing unique opportunities, and we pride ourselves on ensuring you have an incredible trip. We believe in running trips that have two-way benefits: enhanced educational opportunities for children in our host communities, and increased global awareness and personal development opportunities for our volunteers.

We work with 11 community projects in Ghana's Volta region. With the help of volunteers, we improve school facilities and provide teaching support, as well as assisting with sports coaching sessions.

Volunteers are exposed to a variety of challenges that they are unlikely to have faced at home, developing the resilience needed to overcome them. Students return from our trips as more motivated, better informed global citizens.

We pride ourselves on providing comprehensive support to our groups, from the moment they book to the moment they return. In fact, 92% of our school and college groups travel again or recommend us to other schools.