Volunteers will live with a local host family in Nkoranza and work with the children during the week. On weekends and evenings volunteers have free time to relax or explore the surroundings!

There are many things volunteers can do to help the children of Love Kids Orphanage. These are usually tailored to your own interests and experience.

Ways to help include:

·       Teaching English

·       Organizing games, drawing, singing, dancing, and other creative education and extra-curricular activities

·       Helping with homework and monitoring the children's academic progress

·       Caring for the children that are too young to go to school

·       Helping the children to wash, dress and get to school safely

·       Helping prepare food, washing clothes and working in the kitchen and garden

·       Helping with the charity's administration, fund-raising or program planning and management 

·       Working on the buildings and fittings to help improve the children's environment

Volunteers at this orphanage must have, above all, a love of children and a commitment to the project. You should also be aware that you will be living with a rural African family, so the style of living will probably be different to what you are used to. You will need to be flexible and open to new experiences. At weekends, volunteers can enjoy their own time by visiting Ghana's numerous tourist attractions (such as our national parks, seaside forts, the Royal Palace, many museums, or the Boabeng-Fiema monkey sanctuary) Those who wish to can ask to be accompanied. In such cases volunteers are responsible for covering the expenses of their guide.

Volunteer Fees:

·       One month 400 Euros

·       Two months 700 Euros

·       Three months 1000 Euros

·       Four months 1300 Euros

·       Five months 1500 Euros

·       Six months 1700 Euros

·       Shorter visits are also welcome, simply email us with your requirements. 

What is included?

Accommodation and three meals a day with the Love Kids family. Accommodation in Accra for the first night - volunteers will be met at the airport by a member of the host family. Transfer from Accra to Nkoranza, and back to Accra airport at the end of the stay.

What is not Included?

Flights, visa, immunizations, personal expenses, soft drinks and mineral water, phone credit and internet access, passport, travel insurance, entrance fees and in-country travel expenses - including any independent excursions the volunteer wishes to take while volunteering.

What will you need?

Health insurance, enough local currency to cover any expenses incurred during leisure time, a mosquito net and repellent (doctors also usually recommend anti-malarial tablets as a precaution for any travelers to West Africa), a towel, sponge and toiletries, flip-flops, clothes that you don't mind getting dirty or dusty (the children spend most of their play-time outdoors), a mobile phone if you so wish: a Ghanaian sim-card can be provided for you to contact loved ones at home. Alternatively, Nkoranza does have an internet cafe if you prefer to use email.

To download an application form, click on the link below. If you have any questions, you can use the contact form on the 'talk to us' page, or email us at mail@lovekidsorphanage.org.

Click here to download this file

 We also welcome internet volunteers - people who would like to volunteer without leaving home by helping with the website, administration and fundraising. If you are interested in volunteering in this way please contact us using the contact form on the 'talk to us' page, or email us at mail@lovekidsorphanage.org.

 

Emma, UK

"I first got involved with Love Kids through volunteering in Ghana. For me, the best thing about volunteering - except the children of course, who are without doubt among the nicest and happiest group I have ever met - was the chance I got to live in a real African family in a rural village.

As Love Kids is run entirely by a local family, it offers a chance to experience real African culture that I don't think would be possible anywhere else. Everyone is so friendly, caring and wonderful that after just three weeks I felt I had a second family in Nkoranza. And the village itself was amazing too - all the residents were so friendly, and everyone wanted to say hello and make friends with the 'obroni'! I loved fetching water, cooking and cleaning in the traditional way, going to the lively and buzzing market, and getting to try a wide selection of local and traditional foods. I would heartily recommend volunteering at Love Kids to anyone who is interested in finding out about real African culture and life.

I learned so much from the Love Kids family, and am now working with Love Kids from here in the UK to help with fund-raising and the administration of donations. I'd heartily recommend volunteering at Love Kids to anyone as a wonderful experience of life in an African village, and I am very much looking forward to my next visit to Nkoranza!"

Juliette, France

"Souvenirs des moments passés avec les enfants du love kids orphanage en Août 2009. J'étais volontaire ce mois-ci pour l'association Africa Libera à Nkoranza. En me promenant un soir, je découvre au détour du chemin qui longe notre centre, une charmante maisonnette pleine de bambins, qui m'accueillent de leur cris de joie et de leurs sourires. Je tombe immédiatement sous le charme.

Comment peut-il en être autrement? On est happé par l'odeur qui s'échappe de la marmite dans laquelle cuit le fufu, repas quotidien de toute cette tribu, scrupuleusement cuisiné par celle qui est leur mère a tous: Comfort Gyamfua. Son fils biologique, Adu Francis, est le responsable de l'organisation qui a donné à ces enfants orphelins une famille. Ils l'appellent tous daddy, papa.

Il m'exprime tout de suite son désir, plus fort que tout autre, de voir ces enfants grandir comme tous les autres, de les voir heureux. Ses paroles sont même inutiles, il suffit de capter une fois son regard, et on est ébloui par cette lumière, qui se trouvait déjà dans les yeux de sa mère et continue à luire, un espoir inébranlable. A 22 ans, sa plus grande fierté est d'avoir donné à ces enfants une famille et son souci quotidien concerne leur bien-être.

Au quotidien, cette maison est remplie des rires des enfants, et de leurs constantes chamailleries. Ils portent les uns pour les autres une affection infinie, ce sont peut-être les enfants les plus généreux qu'il m'a été donné de rencontrer. Même dans les moments ou l'inquiétude se lit sur leurs visages, ils vous répondront toujours de leur plus radieux sourire.

Ce que nous avons fait pour eux, leur donner des jouets, des vêtements, et surtout, mon moment préféré de la journée, les prendre chaque soir par la main pour assister a la projection d'un film au centre de notre association, cela n'est pas comparable avec ce qu'ils nous ont donné et appris, car l'intelligence de ces enfants se trouve dans leur infinie générosité, leur sixième sens.

Aujourd'hui je réalise l'importance de créer des orphelinats en Afrique, il me suffit d'imaginer ce que seraient devenus ces enfants si des personnes comme Francis n'étaient pas allées les chercher au fond de leur solitude; pour la plupart d'entre eux, ils erraient alors dans la ville, sans toit ni nourriture. Le sourire que j'ai vu sur leurs visages est un vrai miracle. Mon souhait est que nous, adultes, faisions en sorte qu'il y reste. Avec une aide même des plus minimes, on peut faire beaucoup pour rendre le quotidien de ces enfants plus agréable."

 

 Jane, UK

"I spent Christmas 2008 at the Love Kids Orphanage in Ghana with Adu and his family. It was perhaps one of the most memorable and fulfilling times of my life, not least due to the inspirational and caring family.

 In materials terms this family have so little compared to families here in the UK,  yet  they still are prepared to take these children into their home and provide them with all their basic needs; as well as and perhaps more importantly, with love and security. I think  on a personal level the most worthwhile thing I gained from my time in Ghana was to reassess my own priorities and, regain a perspective about what is really important in my own life.

Ghana is a captivating and beautiful country to visit, vibrant and exciting with a fascinating history and culture.  Volunteering  gave me the opportunity to  experience all this so closely whilst  living within this unique community. A spiritual and cultural  adventure I would highly recommend to anyone."