Volunteer Care Work with Children, , Accra, Ghana

 Description

Voluntary care work is one of the most worthwhile activities you can get involved in, whether it is in a 
developed or a developing country. Throughout the world, there are vast numbers of children who are orphaned or 
neglected, and in need of love, care and affection. Care placements are a chance for volunteers on a gap year or 
career break to really make a difference to children who would otherwise have little or no mental stimulation in 
their lives. People are often unaware of the impact they can have on another person's life, with even the 
smallest gesture. Spending as little as one month or more working in an orphanage or care centre, a volunteer can 
have a hugely significant and positive impact on the lives of underprivileged children. Care volunteers don't 
need to be qualified or have had previous experience. 

The only qualities that the volunteer needs to possess are compassion for fellow human beings and a desire to 
improve the lives of those with domestic or physical circumstances less fortunate than their own. As a care 
volunteer working with children in orphanages, you would be helping the kids to learn life-skills that parents 
would normally teach. By getting involved in the day-to-day running of an orphanage - making sure children are 
fed, washed and dressed, and paying them personal attention - you will be making a really positive impact on their 
lives.

There is always scope for any talents or interests you may have to be utilized. Art & crafts or music are 
always popular activities and many care placements have outside areas where sports and games can be played. Many 
volunteers also help to educate the children in personal hygiene and social skills. Opportunities exist in some 
orphanages for our volunteers to be more involved on the 'teaching' or 'medical' side of care work. It may be 
you can spend your afternoon helping the older children with their homework on their return from school, or if 
you have the relevant skills you can administer first aid to any children in need. 

The work volunteers do can be challenging at times but the strength and resilience of the children will 
inspire you to persevere. Your day may start early to help get the children up and give them breakfast, however, you 
will probably finish early too or have several hours off at lunchtime before returning to play with the 
children in the afternoon. Many volunteers like to take some of the children out on a trip from time to time. An 
afternoon at the beach or walking round the market can be a revelation for some of the children, who rarely get the 
chance to travel more than a few miles away from their homes.

 Requirements 

References from people who have done Short Term Missions with this organization before are available upon 
request. Submit "I Want to Volunteer!" to receive more information.

 Additional Detail