“I promise you will have a warm welcome to Ghana with lots of dancing, drumming and fun.”

WELCOME TO YOUR AFRICAN ADVENTURE

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THANK YOU FOR BOOKING WITH AFRICAN ADVENTURES!Thank you very much for choosing to embark on an African Adventure with us – we are thrilled to welcome you on board!

We pride ourselves on providing our volunteers with a comprehensive, personalised support service, so let me begin by saying if you ever have a question about your trip, please do not hesitate to pick up the phone. We have a passionate, experienced team of staff who are ready and waiting to help you.

In this welcome brochure, you will find key information and advice that we have carefully put together with the help of volunteers who have already travelled with us.

When we started back in 2009, I had a vision to create an organisation that could offer a great experience to both the volunteers we send to Africa and the projects themselves. It is imperative that each volunteer feels like they have made a difference, which is why you have signed up, and it is our job to make sure everything is ready for you.

However, if you have not volunteered before, you should be aware that this is going to be an experience like no other. You will go through a range of emotions, see things you have never seen before and spend most of your time out of your comfort zone – it is brilliant!

Most importantly, you will get out of this experience what you put into it. Travel with an open mind and an open heart and it will be one of the most fulfilling journeys you ever take.

Dan Mew Founder & UK Development Manager

AFRICAN ADVENTURES

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WELCOME TO GHANA

ABOUT GHANA“Wezu Ghana! I come from the Volta region and am in charge of African Adventures’ programme. We are situated in a very beautiful place but many people here suffer from poverty.

I was actually a street child myself when I was young. After becoming homeless, I began working on a farm when I was 11 years old in order to pay for my school fees. I first went to school when I was 13 years of age and I have grown up in this community knowing that there is such little opportunity for many people.

I wanted to change this and so I set up an NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation) that provides grants for young people hoping to better themselves. We engage with around 3,500 young people in the Volta region.

I know how much volunteers help our projects but I also see how our people can educate volunteers because we can show you a different way of life. I promise you will have a warm welcome with lots of dancing, drumming and fun.”

Siva Vordzorgbe In-Country Director for Ghana

Area: Volta region on Ghana's south-eastern coast

Summary: Rural, coastal, traditional

Weather: Tropical

Best For: Getting away from everything Western

Main Challenge: Lack of opportunity

Accommodation: Volunteer House

THANK YOU FOR BOOKING WITH AFRICAN ADVENTURES!Thank you very much for choosing to embark on an African Adventure with us – we are thrilled to welcome you on board!

We pride ourselves on providing our volunteers with a comprehensive, personalised support service, so let me begin by saying if you ever have a question about your trip, please do not hesitate to pick up the phone. We have a passionate, experienced team of staff who are ready and waiting to help you.

In this welcome brochure, you will find key information and advice that we have carefully put together with the help of volunteers who have already travelled with us.

When we started back in 2009, I had a vision to create an organisation that could offer a great experience to both the volunteers we send to Africa and the projects themselves. It is imperative that each volunteer feels like they have made a difference, which is why you have signed up, and it is our job to make sure everything is ready for you.

However, if you have not volunteered before, you should be aware that this is going to be an experience like no other. You will go through a range of emotions, see things you have never seen before and spend most of your time out of your comfort zone – it is brilliant!

Most importantly, you will get out of this experience what you put into it. Travel with an open mind and an open heart and it will be one of the most fulfilling journeys you ever take.

Dan Mew Founder & UK Development Manager

AFRICAN ADVENTURES

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HOW YOU WILL HELPWorking towards our unique Community Development Pledge, we aim to ensure that your time and efforts will leave a tangible legacy at the projects you are going to support. For this reason, your volunteer work will be carefully planned out before your trip.

COMMUNITY WORK & TEACHING

If you have opted for community work and teaching, you will find this role varied, involving the delivery of lessons, acting as a teaching assistant, marking students’ work and creating new games.

BUILDING WORK

If you have chosen to get involved in construction, you are likely to find it physically challenging but incredibly rewarding, and the results of your efforts will be clear to see by the end of your trip. You will be assisting with the building and

“Everyone that goes on the trip gains invaluable life skills; how to adapt to different cultures, how to approach difficult situations and how to respect different people and ways of life. It’s hard work but it’s an experience that everyone should have.”

Emily White, Volunteer

renovation of school structures. No qualifications are required and all work is facilitated by local tradesmen.

MEDICAL PLACEMENT

As a medical volunteer you will be shadowing staff at the local clinic and helping with renovation work, with activities like painting and plastering, to ensure the clinic is fit for purpose.

MULTI-SPORTS

Anyone who wants to get involved in sports can do this role and a coaching background is not necessary. You will have the opportunity to coach either school classes or local teams, based on your preference and skills. Some schools run basic sports programmes but if you are more proactive you are welcome to deliver your own sessions.

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OUR IN-COUNTRY DIRECTOR, SIVA, FOUNDED THE YOUNG SHALL GROW INTERNATIONAL (TYSGI) IN 2006. THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION SERVES THE KETA COMMUNITY ACROSS A LAGOON IN THE VOLTA REGION.

The area in which you will be working is very rural, with the main industries being fishing and agriculture. There is little other commerce here and TYSGI focuses on improving opportunities for young people so that, should they decide to in later life, they are able to enter other professions by the time they come to working age.

The reality is that many children in the Volta region work from a young age in order to support their family’s usually limited income. This can negatively impact the time they dedicate to their own education. TYSGI provides a range of social, health, community and educational services to

young people on a grant-giving basis. This has included funding for a new birthing clinic, new classrooms at local government schools, school fees, free school meals and apprenticeships.

African Adventures teamed up with TYSGI as its official partner in 2012 to help realise Siva’s dream of making a clear, tangible impact on the lives of children in the Keta area. In just a short time, we have made a lot of progress; more children are now in school and are staying in school. Everybody here can see the benefits that volunteers and African Adventures bring. The community also has an excellent chance to meet and get to know people from other cultures.

Together with TYSGI, we now harbour greater ambitions to increase the level of support we are able to offer to people in the region.

YOUR SUPPORT MEANS A LOT

“At my school, our students need your time, your motivation and your care. My teachers need your support, your patience and hard work. We are grateful to all volunteers who come and help us.”

Moses, Head Teacher, Woe EP School

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FUNDRAISING SUPPORTFundraising is an extremely useful tool to assist you with covering the cost of your volunteering trip to Africa. Many of our volunteers have managed to meet the entire amount needed for their trip through their fundraising efforts, which is a fantastic achievement! The greatest advice we can give you when it comes to fundraising is start early, be innovative and plan ahead. We hope that the experiences shared here from two of our past volunteers will give you some ideas and inspiration.

"LOTTIE AND HER FRIENDS WORKED TOGETHER AS A TEAM."“The fundraising initially seemed like a daunting task, but my daughter, Lottie, and her friends worked together as a team on many of the activities and learnt so much from this aspect.

There were the seven 8-hour bag packings, where they learnt how to make small talk with everyone they met, and the Halloween disco and Race Night, where effective team work was essential. There was also the car washing on inset day and the lunacy of the sponsored winter solstice swim!

In addition, Lottie spent many weekends face-painting in town centres and at summer fetes,

which went so well that she now has a little business offering this service!

The fundraising has really changed Lottie’s attitude to money and brought out a strong work ethic. Whereas before she would often not rise from bed until noon, on fundraising days she’d be up and out by 8am without complaint! And before she would often stop at a shop for coffee, whereas now she waits until we get home as it’s cheaper!

Thanks again for giving Lottie the chance to experience such a great adventure. It has truly been a marvellous experience for her.”

BECKY KALE, PARENT OF VOLUNTEER

"I'M GLAD I SAVED TOWARDS MY TRIP."“I started just by cutting down on my mobile phone use and going out every other weekend. After adding my birthday money I was amazed to have saved over £500. I found out I had more money than I ever thought! I’m glad I saved towards my trip. Knowing I had made my own sacrifices made it easier for me to ask for help for the rest of my funds.”

CHARLOTTE, VOLUNTEER WITH TOTTON COLLEGE IN 2013

A-Z of FUNDRAISING IDEASA African Themed Night - Afternoon Tea Party

B Barbeque - Bag Packing - Bike Ride

C Cricket Tournament - Cocktail Making Evening - Cake Sale

D Dinner Party - Dog Walking

E eBay Selling - Eco-Friendly Day

F Five-a-Side Football Tournament - Fashion Show - Face Painting

G Garden Party - Golf Tournament

H Head Shave - Horse Racing Sweepstake

I Ice Bath Challenge - Indoor Games Night - It’s a Knockout

J Jumble Sale - Jewellery Making and Sale

K Karaoke Night - Keep Fit Event

L Lucky Dip - Loud Tie Day - Lawn-Mowing

M Marathons - Medieval Banquet - Music Evening

N Non-Uniform Day - Name the Teddy

O Olympic Games - Office Olympics - Odd Jobs for Cash

P Penalty Shoot-Out - Photography Exhibition - Pub Games Evening

Q Quiz Night - Quiet Day (Sponsored Silence)

R Raffle - Read-a-Thon

S Swimming Gala - Sports Day - Silent Auction

T Talent Show - Tennis Tournament - Tombola

U Unicycle Challenge - Unwanted Gifts Sale

V Volleyball Tournament - Vegetarian/Vegan Evening

W Wear Your Wellies Day - Wine Tasting Evening

X Xbox Tournament - Xmas Bazaar

Y Yoga Marathon

Z Zumba-Thon

A-Z of FUNDRAISING IDEASA African Themed Night - Afternoon Tea Party

B Barbeque - Bag Packing - Bike Ride

C Cricket Tournament - Cocktail Making Evening - Cake Sale

D Dinner Party - Dog Walking

E eBay Selling - Eco-Friendly Day

F Five-a-Side Football Tournament - Fashion Show - Face Painting

G Garden Party - Golf Tournament

H Head Shave - Horse Racing Sweepstake

I Ice Bath Challenge - Indoor Games Night - It’s a Knockout

J Jumble Sale - Jewellery Making and Sale

K Karaoke Night - Keep Fit Event

L Lucky Dip - Loud Tie Day - Lawn-Mowing

M Marathons - Medieval Banquet - Music Evening

N Non-Uniform Day - Name the Teddy

O Olympic Games - Office Olympics - Odd Jobs for Cash

P Penalty Shoot-Out - Photography Exhibition - Pub Games Evening

Q Quiz Night - Quiet Day (Sponsored Silence)

R Raffle - Read-a-Thon

S Swimming Gala - Sports Day - Silent Auction

T Talent Show - Tennis Tournament - Tombola

U Unicycle Challenge - Unwanted Gifts Sale

V Volleyball Tournament - Vegetarian/Vegan Evening

W Wear Your Wellies Day - Wine Tasting Evening

X Xbox Tournament - Xmas Bazaar

Y Yoga Marathon

Z Zumba-Thon

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MONTH PERSONAL SAVINGS

INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISING

GROUP FUNDRAISING TOTAL

TOTALS

Need another form? Visit My African Adventure for this and further fundraising help.

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EXPLORING GHANA

CAPE COAST ADVENTURE If you have signed up for the Cape Coast Adventure, you will see why this area’s natural beauty and culture entices both history lovers and adventurers alike. You will tour Cape Coast Castle, once a notorious fort used to hold hundreds of slaves awaiting exportation, before enjoying some downtime on the beach. In the evening you can enjoy a typical Ghanaian meal before staying overnight ready for the next day’s adventures.

The following day you will visit Kakum National Park; a short hike through the forest floor is followed by a walk at canopy level. At 330m long and at heights of up to 40m, this is not for the faint-hearted, but it is a fantastic experience. After the morning’s exertions, you will stop for lunch at Hans Cottage, a restaurant set over a crocodile lagoon. This is a unique opportunity to see these impressive animals up close.

VOLTA ADVENTURE If you have chosen the Volta Adventure, you get to experience Ghana’s wild side. You will visit a protected monkey sanctuary, home to two species of monkey, the Lowes’ mona and the Geoffroy’s black-and-white colobus.

As you explore the beautiful forest, surrounded by birdsong and butterflies, you can feed the monkeys their breakfast as they reach out to take bananas from your hands. The evening brings a chance to relax and wind down at a beautiful lodge for your overnight stay.

The next day you will take in the breathtaking sights of the tallest waterfall in Ghana, Wli Falls, measuring 143m from the upper fall to the plunge pool below it. Next, if you are feeling energetic, you can hike up Mount Afadjato, the highest in Ghana, standing at 885m. It is certainly worth the stunning views from the top!

MONEY PLANNER

MONTH PERSONAL SAVINGS

INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISING

GROUP FUNDRAISING TOTAL

TOTALS

Need another form? Visit My African Adventure for this and further fundraising help.

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YOUR SAFETY

YOUR SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITYWe take all steps possible to ensure that you do not have to worry and can just focus on enjoying your experience. We have an independently audited Safety Management System which demonstrates the considerations we make to take care of you, and this covers all aspects of your trip.

INSURANCE

Comprehensive personal travel insurance is included as part of your trip. This specialist insurance means you are covered for project work as well as scheduled activities during your stay.

24/7 SUPPORT

Our fantastic in-country team are the real experts. The team are on-call 24/7 to prevent and deal with incidents. They are the reason that we are able to pre-empt rather than react to any potential health and safety concerns. They will be there to welcome you and introduce you to

your surroundings, as well as help you with any concerns throughout your stay. They are delighted when volunteers come to visit and will be sure to welcome you with open arms!

VEHICLES AND TRANSPORT

Our extensive vehicle safety policy ensures we carefully select our drivers and rigorously check that all vehicles are fit for purpose. Whilst you should not expect the luxury vehicles that we have here in the UK, we will ensure that you travel safely throughout your trip.

MEDICAL

All of the projects you will be working at are within a 20-minute drive of well-equipped regional hospitals and chemists.

ACCOMMODATION

You will be staying in Western-style accommodation throughout your trip. Although you should not expect the same level of comfort that you may have at home, you will have all that you need throughout your stay.

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HELPING YOU PREPAREOur staff members have a vast array of experience when it comes to travelling, working and volunteering in Africa and, more importantly, a real passion to improve lives in both Africa and the UK through our work. We are here to provide you with any support and guidance you need so please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Our in-country staff are local people; they live and work in the communities you visit and know the areas we operate in better than we do, which means you always benefit from local knowledge. Ahead of your trip, it is important to consider the following:

• It might take you a few days to adjust when you arrive in Africa – it is a very different way of life and you should take time to settle in.

• You will need vaccinations before you travel so please contact your GP or travel nurse in plenty of time to seek medical advice.

• You will need a visa to travel - please contact us or talk to your group leader for information regarding the process for this. Your passport must have six months remaining from the date you return, in order for you to be permitted to travel.

• You will need some spending money for your trip - please contact us or talk to your group leader for advice on how much you need and how to obtain this.

• Donations are very welcome by the projects - our staff will be able to advise you which items are most useful.

Before you travel, you will have a pre-departure meeting with one of our team, giving you a fantastic opportunity to find out more in preparation for your trip.

Steph Dulieu, Volunteer Co-ordinator

"We realise that the prospect of fundraising your trip costs and venturing into the unknown may be daunting, but don't worry as we are here every step of the way and we know what works! Please get in touch if you have any questions regarding your trip."

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WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU

PAPERWORK ESSENTIALS• Passport

• Visa

• Travel insurance documents (if you are part of a group, these should be held by your group leader)

• All travel & airline tickets (if you are part of a group, these should be held by your group leader)

• Any personal medical documents

• Immunisation record & Yellow Fever Certificate

MEDICAL ESSENTIALS• Anti-malarial tablets

• Anti-diarrhoea tablets

• Rehydration sachets

• Basic medical kit with plasters

• Anti-bacterial hand gel

PERSONAL HYGIENE• Toothpaste & toothbrush

• Shower gel

• Shampoo & conditioner

• Sun cream & after sun

• Deodorant

• Sanitary protection

(Many of these items are expensive in-country)

GENERAL• Sensible shoes for walking

• Gloves (If doing building work)

• Sun hat and sunglasses

• Journal

• Magazines/books

• Camera

• Secure wallet/purse

• Torch

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We have a fantastic online facility in place to prepare you ahead of your travels. My African Adventure (My AA) is an area of our website where you can access all the information you need regarding your volunteer trip. This includes travel dates, flight details, project information, support documents regarding your work as a volunteer and commonly asked questions. There is also an entire section dedicated to teaching resources with a range of examples and ideas to help prepare you for this role.

All you need to access this area are your log-in details, which we will send you by email – please write these in the designated boxes below. Please contact us for any help with making the most of My AA.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLEDGE

The Community Development Pledge (CDP) is our promise to our partner projects about the level of support we plan to provide them with and what we hope to achieve each year. The Pledge holds us accountable and gives us challenging and worthwhile goals to work towards, with a real focus. Each year, we review the CDP, with guidance from our in-country staff, and assess what we have managed to achieve and what we are able to commit to the following year. By travelling with us you can be proud that you are contributing to the CDP; please take a look at what we have achieved to date and our plans going forward. Hopefully you will see that, by travelling with us, you really are making a difference.

AFRICAN ADVENTURES FOUNDATION

The African Adventures Foundation is a registered charity in England & Wales (1153361) that exists to provide further, much-needed support to our partner projects. Thanks to support from African Adventures, the Foundation is able to commit 100% of all donations, so the money is used where it is most needed. After your trip, we hope that you may consider continuing your support by donating to the African Adventures Foundation, leaving a lasting legacy. We have already achieved so much but there is still so much to be done; please take a look at the Foundation page on our website to learn about how you can help further.

MY AFRICAN ADVENTURE

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KEEP IN TOUCHFollow our updates and keep in touch with what is going on at the projects. We would love to hear your stories and find out about the memories that you made on your African Adventure!

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AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY AWAITS YOU…

"I have learnt so much from my volunteering experience and my outlook on everyday challenges and experiences will be significantly

changed because of this trip. I am eternally grateful to African Adventures for everything they have done for me and everything

they are doing for the people who need it most. Thank you."

Harry Dovey, Volunteer

SHARE YOUR STORIESFundraising is an extremely useful tool to assist you with covering the cost of your trip. With extensive experience ourselves, we are here to help you every step of the way and hope that our support materials will get you started.

It would be great to hear about what events you have been doing to fundraise so that we can share them on our social media pages and help motivate others with new ideas.

By doing this you will be in for a chance to feature in the monthly ‘Fundraising Spotlight’ on our website and in our monthly volunteer newsletter. Don’t forget to tag us and use #TripsInAfrica