Jukwa, Ghana
Handbook | Sample Itinerary | Upcoming Courses | Upcoming Open | Group Pricing
Location | Rural Ghana, West Africa
Photos | Found here
Blog | Read about Amizade in Ghana
Service Opportunities | Constructing a library, public health/nursing, sustainable agriculture, teaching in schools
Cultural and Recreational Highlights | Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, meeting with local chiefs, Jungle canopy walk, local beaches, cooking nights, traditional dancing/drumming, visiting cocoa/palm oil farms
The people of Ghana, like many people, endure many hardships, including recurrent droughts that severely affect agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching of wildlife populations; water pollution; and inadequate supplies of potable water. Despite all of this, Ghana is filled with incredibly friendly people with a fascinating history and culture. From rainforests to beaches and lagoons to dry savannah and open woodland, Ghana has as much beauty and diversity in its natural habitat, as it does in its people. Volunteering in Ghana, you will make friends from countries all over the world. You will learn to do work that you have never done before, and you will be introduced to a culture unlike anything that you have ever experienced. Above all, you will have the satisfaction of having worked with others on a project to help a community in need.
Program Overview
Amizade volunteers live in the overgrown village of Jukwa, about 20 miles north of Cape Coast. A little over a decade ago, Jukwa had no electricity, it had no public water, and cell phones were nowhere to be found. Change has been fast for the town, which now boasts all of the aforementioned amenities, as well as a series of paved roads, a nice guest house, and a growing small business base.
Amizade volunteers are nearing the completion of an 8-room, massive, public library (including internet cafe) next to the secondary school. This library, when fully opened will stock 20,000 books, and be open to the entire community. Beyond meaningful service work, while staying in Jukwa, volunteers also get the opportunity to visit with local leaders, a local rain forest canopy walk, Cape Coast Castle, local cultural and religious events, and much, much more.
Lodging | A local lodge, a guest house, or homestays
Food | Lots of local fruit and starches, beans, some fish, some chicken
Flights | 3 nonstop routes now from the US (10 hours)
Visa | Yes, obtained through mail to the embassy
Communication | Cell networks, sporadic internet
Closest Airport | Accra, Ghana
Our Community Partnership
Peace Humanity International
Peace Humanity International is a community development organization based in Accra, Ghana. They work on various development initiatives, ranging from computer literacy projects to rural sustainable agriculture projects. The founder, Pastor Chris Nyame, and his associate, Kwame Appiah, grew up in Jukwa, and are considered local leaders. Together, they are committed to creating global learning and development opportunities for the region.
Amizade, along with Peace Humanity International, organizes a variety of projects, including the construction ofprimary or secondary schools, roads, and hospitals, as well as reforestation, cocoa plantation, literacy projects, community development, oil palm production, and AIDS awareness campaigns.
By working with Peace Humanity International, Amizade volunteers learn about community organization and gain important organizational and management skills. Past volunteers have worked on construction projects, environmental projects, educational projects and projects involving community development. The impact of this volunteer experience is immediate and long lasting.
