Volunteer With Us
Why Volunteer at KCC?
Travelling overseas, seeing a different part of the world and experiencing another culture is always memorable. However, the moments of personal connection or relevance when you truly feel you have been able to create positive change, however small, are the times that make the experience unique and meaningful.
The KCC welcomes and encourages volunteers. School groups and other visitors have made lasting and sustainable impacts on the community, whilst also experiencing life in Ghana, seeing daily challenges first hand and how they are overcome, emersing themselves in the culture and making new friends.
Volunteers have the chance to visit important Ghanaian landmarks and explore the local area and beach. They are encouraged to eat local dishes and interact with the people of the community. There are also many opportunities to engage in a range of cultural activities including the making of fishing nets with seasoned pros, learning about tie and dye with the resident expert or taking part in drumming and dancing workshops.
Spending time at KCC provides volunteers the chance to learn about living together as a community and everything that comes with that for example tolerance, problem solving and individual responsibility. Time in Kokrobite allows people to take a step back from their day to day lives and think about other people as well as their own role and place in the world. The different perspectives and world views they will be exposed to by working side by side with local children and teenagers will be an invaluable life experience.
We work with volunteers, before they arrive, to develop and plan a project that meets their personal goals. In this way they can fundraise to support their upcoming work and then achieve something meaningful and tangible in the time they are with us, which has proved incredibly fun for all involved. Volunteers will usually have a short-term project to start and finish during their trip whilst contributing to ongoing longer-term projects too.
KCC has a proven track record of hosting and working with students from all over the world - some even come back numerous times. Volunteers leave with new skills and many happy memories of their unique and enriching experience.
How Can I Help KCC?
Many of our placements are based in education (both formal and informal ) or child care and welfare. We match volunteer’s skills and experience with the needs of the community. A placement may be based in a school or working out of school hours on creative or sports based projects. We also encourage volunteers who come to work on specific projects like bottle building or aquaponics.
Volunteers will be based in Kokrobite, a fishing village about 35 km to the west of Accra airport. Projects sites will typically be within Kokrobite and surrounding communities, and where needed, transportation will be arranged for volunteers.
Where will I stay?
Volunteers can stay at Jane and Martial’s house. It is suitable for 23 people comfortably and up to 28 at a slight squeeze. The rooms tend to sleep 4-6 and there are single and double rooms available. The accommodation is clean and very safe with spaces for student recreation and teacher group meetings.
We provide all the meals for our visitors and will take into account any dietary requirements. For at least one meal a day the centre encourages the volunteers to enjoy a tasty Ghanaian dish of fried fish and kenkey or a simple chicken stew. This feature has always proved very popular.
How long should I stay?
We are a small, grass-roots NGO and therefore can be flexible regarding duration of stay as it often depends on our volunteers' chosen projects. Individuals usually stay with us from three weeks to three months. This enables them to fully experience the Ghanaian culture and make a worthwhile contribution to our work here. Group visits are usually shorter.
How much will it cost?
Volunteers are expected to organize and pay for their own flights, necessary vaccinations and malaria tablets. Cost of accommodation, including food, will vary depending on the chosen location and length of time. KCC can help with invitation letters for VISA applications and also airport transfers.
Most NGOs include a compulsory donation to their work in the initial cost to the volunteers. At Kokrobite Chiltern Centre we do not ask for any compulsory donations or charge a fee for volunteering but many volunteers choose to make a donation. We are happy to assist volunteers with fund raising before arrival and can offer support by providing information, pictures and data, attending Skype meetings and presentations.
Where can I find more information?
Our printable volunteer leaflet can be found here
More information is available by contacting KCC on the email address in the footer below. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
What is my next step?
If you are interested in volunteering and wish to discuss a possible placement, please email us or call us on the numbers provided in the footer below.
Kokrobite Chiltern Centre (UK Charity No. 1185282) supports the Kokrobite Chiltern Centre (Ghana), a separate legal entity constituted as a registered Non-Profit Organisation (No. D.S.W. /2727). All volunteering opportunities are arranged and organised directly with KCC Ghana with the support of the UK charity.