General Information

Accommodations

Our host community provides for accommodation, which could be in local school’s classroom or whatever facility is available in the community setting. We advise volunteers to bring their own pillow, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, mosquito net and tropical quilt.

Toilet will be the “Asian type” or what we refer to as pit latrines; Water for bathing will be boiled. Usually there will be no showers, volunteers will use buckets, which will be provided for. Volunteers are expected to understand provision of electricity and hot-water will not be available in most cases. Cooking appliances such as Gas cookers and Electrical cookers will not be available, only charcoal pots, the traditional 3 stones cooker and use of firewood.

Transport

Transport is usually long, slow, uncomfortable, (dusty and bumpy roads). Although volunteers often find it exciting experience travelling by public transport.

Project Fees

Volunteer's participation fee covers food, accommodation.

Potential volunteers should be aware that 30% of their participation fee will be used to take care of the volunteers. The rest of the money covers office expenses and overheads. Without the financial aid provided by the volunteers the project would not happen.

Expenses outside the work-camp budget will be met by the volunteers themselves; e.g. of this will be medical, entertainment, traveling costs etc.

Volunteers should pay their registration-participation fees before participating in their respective programs.

Any Volunteer who applies to WOSOVO directly, other than being sent by any of our Partner Organisation will be required to pay the processing fee before he/she can be accepted to participate in any program. This applies to all programs.

WOSOVO in cases where possible will assist Local Volunteers who are financially handicapped and willing to do Voluntary work by allowing them to participate in the work-camps free of charge.( BUT if the Local Volunteer is able to pay, we will charge him or her)

WOSOVO does not pay money to any host organization or and community for volunteer's placement. We only cater for their food and accommodation.

In addition we discourage the communities from soliciting funds, equipments and favors from the volunteers.

Volunteer's Activities

Volunteers will be involved in the implementation of the project. However, most volunteers will not be required to have specific skills. Volunteers will work hand in hand with the local communities with local skilled technicians hired by the community. Usually by the time volunteers arrive for the project work it will already have commenced, so that volunteers can help complete the project.

Work camp is not a leisure holiday therefore we require volunteers who are committed and willing to work.

Ghanaian experience

WOSOVO strongly emphasizes on the aspect Voluntary and Culture; we are welcoming open- minded volunteers who want to learn about African-Ghanaian culture appreciate and respect different diverse cultures. The volunteers will have an opportunity to meet and find out about the local people and experience their simple living conditions and culture. Volunteers will be taken to festivals, markets and local activities where possible.

In addition, community elders and invited guests will give occasional informal evening talks on cultural matters so that volunteers learn more about the local culture.

Excursions

During their free time, volunteers will go for excursions to local places of interest (this will usually depend with the area) such as National parks, cultural centres, monuments e.t.c. Transport cost for excursions, free time activities and other private traveling, accommodation cost out of arranged Camp Site, should be volunteers responsibility.

Local representative

The volunteers will always have a local representative from the office who will be their camp leader and translator in some cases.

The camp leader should always be contacted in case of any problem, decision,or when  plans are made. Each and every participant should respect the camp leader's decision,plan and work toward a harmonious living with other participants.

The Camp leader together with Volunteers in work camp program have the right to expel any Volunteer(s) guilty of Gross Misconduct e.g. of this could be stealing or using racist's remarks, fighting, excess drinking and drug abuse or tarnishing the Organisation's name etc.

Food

Most meals will be of a local nature, although once in a while,we will have western cultural nights and volunteers will have an opportunity to prepare their local food-dish. Vegetarians meals may also be available. Volunteers will be cooking in turns and all volunteers are expected to participate in preparing food and take care of the kitchen.

The camp will be provided with a food budget, which will have a food menu, and volunteers will be required to stick to it. The food budget allocated for the respective program will only cater for volunteers and WOSOVO officials and not any other party. The camp leader will assist to purchase food at the local market. We encourage volunteers to be modest while preparing food and usage of cooking ingredients and to avoid wasting food. Junk food is not part of the menu, in addition they should not ask for food that is not within the camp budget i.e. things like peanut butter, jam, cereals, etc. (they should be aware that they are there to learn the culture and the way of living in terms of food and living). We will make sure Volunteers don't sleep on an empty stomach.

Volunteers should be aware that NO bottled drinking water shall be provided by WOSOVO. Purchase of bottled water is the volunteers responsibility at all times. They are expected to boil water for consumption and for hygienic reasons (we advice volunteers to come with iodine tablets for treating water) or we will provide what is known as “Pure water” in Ghana.

Living Conditions

There will be challenges at times especially the first 3-4 days because of new surroundings, the people, food, climate and work. Volunteers should be aware that conditions will be basic. Volunteers will do most of the work like washing their own clothes, food preparation, general cleaning etc.

Volunteers should not ask for cosy, luxurious living: this is in terms of housing (volunteers should appreciate the structure where they are placed).

Health

Travel health insurance is a must in order for you to attend WOSOVO work camps. The insurance should cover emergency repatriation and include an international emergency help line where possible. We also advice volunteers to carry a first Aid kit for dealing with minor cuts and ailments.

Language

English should be the medium of communication unless a volunteer is completely unable to communicate in English but in such instance translators (French) will be required to participate in the work camp.

Code of Conduct

Volunteers will be required to behave and dress appropriately and in accordance with the customs of  the community e.g. dressing and verbal indecency-obscenity will be condoned, kissing and touching in public is discouraged, this gives a poor perception of WOSOVO as an Organization.

Male Volunteers will be required to sleep in one room and so is expected of female Volunteers.

Smoking will not be allowed inside the rooms, only outdoors.

WOSOVO discourages male and female volunteers sleeping together and sex is discouraged in the volunteers sleeping room(s). No Volunteer(s) shall be allowed to sleep outside the designated accommodation provided for or Pitch their own tents outside, unless the room(s) provided is small to fit/accommodate the Volunteers. Male and Female Volunteers are strongly discouraged taking bath or showering together.

The Ghanaian law does not allow the possession and the use of hard drugs.

WOSOVO does not discriminate against any volunteer or participant on basis of Race, Religious Creed, Education, Political, Economic and Social backgrounds, Ethnicity and Culture and volunteers are required to create harmonious relationship in the work camp environment.

Applications

Application Procedures

·  Fill the application form either online or send it through our postal address. This form should reach our office at least five weeks before the camp starts.

·  Together with your application form attach recommendation letter from your sending organization, University, etc… (optional).

·  A Non-refundable registration(application)/administration fee of $50 should be sent  through the WESTERN UNION to :Mr. Manfred Kuzoe,P.O.Box LT 366,Accra-Ghana,W/A(where impossible,discuss it with him on phone number +233 244824582,email:attaquam@yahoo.fr)whilst the participation/project fee should be paid on arrival just after filling registration form.

NOTE: No volunteer will be accepted to join the work camp without fulfilling all the above requirements.

Things to Bring

Working shoes and clothes, Mobile phone, Sleeping bag, Mosquito net, Umbrella, Spot light, Musical Instruments, Heavy and Light clothing, Iodine tablets for water purification, First Aid Kit for minor ailments and cuts, Family and friends photos and other things that will make you comfortable during the work camp (FORGET NOT YOUR SMILING FACE).