COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH ACTIVITIES OF VOLUNTEERS 2010
Children activities in the community library in Busua / Accra – Ghana
30th October 2010 – 31st December 2013
A. Project Details.
“community development through activities of volunteers” is a project that aims to provide educational support to children with fewer educational support opportunities in Busua and the surrounding villages and towns at Ahanta West, in the Western region of Ghana. The Busua Community Library helps them to improve upon their knowledge and level of education to be able to integrate into the Ghanaian society positively.
All activities of our future volunteers will take place in the Busua community Library and homestay, although there is the possibility that volunteers could be asked to help in other villages such as Butre which is about 4 kilometers from Busua Town.
Busua beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Ghana. Yet the community education level is still one of the poorest at Ahanta West in Westen region of Ghana. 7 out of 10 youth here at Juniour secondary school at Busua cannot read and write well. Children are still seen not going to school and roaming around on the street during school hours. The children are not used to using libary yet. Children here still beg foreigners for money. Young men at Busua see white girls as one means of success in life. Dating them they see as a possibility for travelling to Europe. Prostitution is also increasing here. Children have learned to ly to get what they want.
Our mission is to empower children in these towns to take their own destiny in their own hands that they will transform Busua beach and make a change. Other coastlines, which have similar challanges, will hopefully learn from them too. Any activities or ideas to help us to achieve this is welcome at Busua community Library and homestay in Ghana.
For the volunteer the project aims to enhance his or her talents and interests in social and creative activities and to get to know more about the cultural diversity and economic potentials in Ghana.
Volunteers have the choice to decide about the amount of time they like to stay. In fact we accept any number of days, months or years you wish to help these children.
B. Geographical locations of Busua Community Library and Home Stay.
Location of Busua Town: BUSUA, AHANTA WEST, WESTERN REGION OF GHANA.
Busua Town is located at Ahanta West District in the Western Region of Ghana. It is about 300 Kilometres from the Capital Accra. It takes almost 4.30 minutes drive from Accra to get to Busua Town. Busua is situated along the West Coast of Ghana with beautiful beaches that attracts tourists. The village is surrounded with waters.
The local language is called Ahanta. But almost everyone at Busua understands Twi the most popular spoken language in Ghana. The population of Busua is almost 3,000. The occupation of the people is fishing and peasant farming as well as stone quarry by a few. The income level of the people is currently averagely less than one Euro per day.
The most problematic infectious disease here is malaria, which is normally caused by stagnate waters. Though malaria is the disease that causes most deaths, here people still don’t sleep under mosquito nets. Elephantiasis, which is very treatable, is very common among the inhabitants, who lack the needed financial support to do so. Teenage pregnancy and HIV/AIDS is a big issue as well.
The two communities also have one of the poorest educational systems in the district according to Ghana Education Service. School dropout’s rate and unemployment is very high at Busua.
C. Project Justification for Training Activities.
1. More than 400 children from two primary and Junior High Schools, from Busua, Butre, Dixcove & Ahuntumanu stand a chance of benefitting from activities of the Library at Busua.
2. Currently we have capacity for a maximum of 10 volunteers at the same time.
3. Reading club could have a maximum of 4 volunteers to help about 30 children who currently are members of the social club.
4. Dancing or choreography could have a maximum of 2 volunteers for interested children.
5. Drawing or painting could have a maximum of 4 volunteers for at least 30 children.
6. Sports - either football or beach volley - can also have a maximum of 2 volunteers to help that.
D. Age of Beneficiary Children
1. All beneficiary children for our activities at the Library are in the age from 6 - 16 years.
2. Ghana Library Board regulations allow all children irrespective of their age, background and where they come from to take part in our activities at the Library.
E. Hours for Work at Busua Community Library
1. Mondays – Fridays; children are allowed to come to the library from 2:30 p.m – 6:30 p.m.
2. During vacation days the library is opened from 9:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
3. During Saturdays it is open from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
D. On-arrival orientation
All volunteers will be welcomed at the airport and given one day free stay at Accra before going to Busua Community Libary homestay to have their accomodation.
There will be a an orientation for all future volunteers before starting to work. This will be done by Executives of EHT-Network.
Volunteers will be introduced to their mentors before starting their service or work.
F. Proposed criteria for Selection European Volunteers.
If you have any qualification we will appreciate it, but formal qualifications are not necessary. All you need is an infectious enthusiasm or ideals that can help rural children to be motivated to stay at school and to be self-confident.
These skills and experiences could be helpful:
1. skills in a creative field, such as drawing, painting, poetry, singing, drama or dancing
2. experience as workshops facilitators in the fields of Drug Abuse, HIV/AIDS issues, Teenage pregnancy, labour and Slavery, preventing malarias, inspirational speakers
3. leadership potentials and self drive, ready to learn to support activities at the library and bring in own ideas
Medical records of volunteers should be checked before joining us.
G. Preparation made so far
1. Busua Community Library and Home stay is already in use.
2. The community school is opposite the library and have included the Library in their time table activities.
3. We are also recognised by the Ghana Education Service so all your comments would be accepted and considered to help improving education at Ahanta West.
4. We are also in the position of helping with educational support for workshops.
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H. Accommodation for volunteers
1. Self contain room with toilet and bath inside for two.
2. Dormitory for 6 volunteers with 6 single beds, standing fans, shared toilet and bath.
3. Shared kitchen with fridge, gas, cooking utensils etc
4. Mosquito nets for everyone.
5. 24 hours self constructed water supply.
6. Mini- discussion room.
7. Internet – 30 minutes free browsing daily for our entire guests.
I. Cost for staying at Busua Library Home Stay
Less than 2 weeks daily charges.
1. Single rooms – 6 Euros per day
2. Double rooms – 9 euros per day
3. Dormitory (6 people in one room) – 4 euros per head per day.
Staying for 2 weeks fixed charges.
1. Single rooms – 67 euros for two
2. Double rooms – 100 euros for two
3. Dormitory (6 people in one room) – 42 euros per head.
Staying for 1 month (28 days) fixed charges.
1. Single rooms – 135 euros
2. Double rooms – 168 euros
3. Dormitory (6 people in one room) – 67 euros per head .
Staying for 3 months ( 84 days) fixed charges.
1. Single rooms – 353 euros
2. Double rooms – 500 euros
3. Dormitory (6 people in one room) – 200 euros per head.
Staying for 6 months ( 168 days) fixed charges.
1. Single rooms – 660 euros
2. Double rooms – 960 euros
3. Dormitory (6 people in one room) – 360 euros per head.
Staying for 1 year (336 days) fixed charges.
1. Single rooms – 1,200 euros
2. Double rooms – 1800.00 euros
3. Dormitory (6 people in one room) – 660 euros per head.
J. General Rules for all Volunteers staying in our facility.
1. Payment before occupying rooms.
2. Our guests have to clean their own rooms.
3. Kitchen should be clean upon usage.
4. Bed sheets will be changed once a week.
5. Our care taker, who is the librarian, is in charge of the rooms.
6. Keys should be carried along while occupying rooms.
7. Damages are payable before leaving the rooms.
8. Smoking in any of the rooms is strictly prohibited.
9. Hard drugs (Heroin, Cocaine, Marijuana, Crack etc.) are not allowed in any of our facilities.
10. Prostitution is not allowed in any of our rooms.
11. All the visitors should bear in mind that we provide only home stay service to help raise the money for the Community library, as such social norms of the community is our priority at all times.
K. Should I take equipment or materials for my activities?
We have some forms of costumes or materials for sports, drawing, painting, volley ball and books. As you may be aware Busua Library is a new Library and lacks some materials. So anything you can bring will be appreciated. But airlines will not carry them free and you need most of your luggage for your own stuff, so there are limits to what you can do.
L. Finance and Allowance
Please note that we are a self-funding organisation and cannot pay volunteers for their services. We have a caretaker who can help you with food if you want to be served at your own cost.