Placement Overview

Join the reforestation team and help us to grow seedlings and plant trees to create patches and strips of diverse native vegetation. Boosting and enhancing the local wildlife and ecosystem by providing a wide range of species to produce oases of biodiversity to tackle a rise in deforestation and local climate change.

Ghana like a lot of sub saharan Africa is experiencing the affects of climate change with irregular seasons and forest areas gradually turning into Savannah and desert grassland. Already this has had a huge impact on the variety and population of various species across a once thriving rainforest zone.
Working with our community partners in the local agriculture office we have introduced ideas such as the Miyakawi method which involves planting a variety of native species within a certain distance of each other to provide a greater diversity of food and shelter at the early stages to attract local pollinators, insects and birds. Miyawaki forests can grow into mature ecosystems in just 20 years. compared to the 200 years it can take a forest to regenerate on its own.
With a lot of the local population living under the poverty line, previous reforestation work has focused on non-indigenous trees grown for timber or produce to also provide additional income to those farmers/land owners involved. However using Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki’s research to present to the local communities he found that protected areas around temples, shrines and cemeteries in Japan contained a huge variety of native vegetation that co-existed to produce resilient and diverse ecosystems.
Reforestation is a key part of UN and nation’s strategies to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5℃ with various global projects setting ambitious targets. With research such as the Miyawaki method to hand it is surprising to see that not all forests are equally effective in sequestering carbon. Mature forests of native trees soak up more CO2 than the monocultures used in many reforestation projects.

Support Staff – Accommodation – House Utility Bills – Pre Departure Support

We charge cost price for this project just so we can cover your stay and employ local support staff to increase loyal employment. This placement includes accommodation in a modern style house for the semi rural area of which we are based with great views and surroundings of the local towns and rainforest. All house utilities are included for your time, you will have use of the kitchen, electricity throughout the house and running water which is a luxury among the area of Kwahu. You will have a member of our local support team living in house or close by depending on the volunteer numbers so there is always someone on hand for any questions or support you may need.

Budget an additional 30 – 60 Ghana cedis per day for transport costs.

We work with a number of schools within the local community and slightly further out. Volunteers will usually take taxis back and forth to their placement site. It is very easy to take shared taxis in town and they are very reasonably priced. Most of our schools will require volunteers to pay transport between 30 cedis and 60 cedis a day. The more remote village schools are usually located down tracks and therefore cost a little bit more to reach. Our team will be able to assist volunteers group together for transport and where to find taxis etc. Volunteers are usually able to head off into the town after school easily to shop for food supplies, grab a cold drink or meet up with friends before heading home and the ease of taxis offer a really flexible experience for the volunteers.

During your placement depending on the stage/time of year you will be packing and growing seedlings, joining in tree planting, setting up seedling patches and mini forest plans and designs at the local schools and town planning committes as well as being involved in the agriculture office’s educational outreach programs to ensure communities and in particular schools are being briefed on the disadvantages and impact deforestation is having on Ghana and the region as a whole.

You will usually be working alongside your fellow volunteers, support team or members of the community however for parts of the day you may be required to work independently.

A member of our volunteer support team will also visit you at your placement site periodically after the initial introduction to ensure you are getting on well and making an impact on site.

All we request is the passion and drive to make a difference with us, one step at a time. Being able to get involved and stuck in will help you much more with this project especially with the community cleanup days which can be tiring in the heat and humidity. The greatest traits of a volunteer are enthusiasm, empathetic and the ability to adjust to alternative cultures. You will get the most of our your trip by opening your mind to new experiences and beliefs whilst also bringing your own to the table.
We expect volunteers to visit their placements Monday – Friday, exceptions can be made for long weekends of travel etc but we hope for the children and yourselves to get the most of your placement this is kept to a minimum.

We will be on hand any time of any day to support you in your placement and trip as a whole. There will always be someone you can speak to or get a hold of should you want to discuss anything or require any guidance, from organising and altering your timetable to changing your placement. Our team living in the volunteer house will also be able to offer advice regarding travel plans and the local area so you will soon feel at home.

In terms of your placement make sure you bring at least one strong pair of shoes and full length trousers/tracksuit to use on days when venturing out into the local forests for research and monitoring. Fundraising for seedlings is a great way you can ensure you can hit the ground running as soon as you arrive and make a lasting impact in our lovely communities which we know you will come to love upon arrival.

Other than for the community outreach and education part of this placement the school holidays will not affect this placement and you will still be able to continue as normal.

What’s Included

Services provided in your volunteering fees

Accommodation

We currently have 2 x three bedroom volunteer houses located in the peaceful town of Pepease overlooking the rainforest. Later in the year we aim to move to a larger 13 bedroom house in a nearby town.

Bedrooms –
Bedrooms are shared usually between 2 – 4 people. Most bedrooms are a medium size and come with a mix of single, double or bunk beds. All doors and windows in the house are covered by mosquito netting or covered completely however you are more than welcome to bring a mosquito net for your bed although usually not necessary.

Bathrooms –
There are 3 shared bathrooms in the house so offer plenty of space and privacy during your stay. Most of the time we have the benfit of running water which is a local luxury so showers and toilets will work as usual. We ask to consider others when using the water as it’s a valuable commodity in Ghana.

Kitchen –
We have one large kitchen with modern facilties such as gas stove, fridge freezer and a range of utensils. It is a self catered placement however plenty of food stuffs can be bought from the market such as bread, rice, pasta and many fresh ingredients. We also have connections with local people in the town who will be able to prepare your meals or teach you how to cook local dishes.

Living Room –
There is a large living room with sofas, TV and a dining set for use by the volunteers. Evenings are often spent in here and volunteers are welcome to bring DVDs or memory drives with movies to watch although local television channels are provided.

Garden –
Surrounding the house is a fenced garden, this offers privacy for relaxing in the sun or sitting out in the evenings. There is also a washing line space for volunteers to use.

Store Room –
We have a small store room where we keep left over teaching materials and resources for new volunteers to use. You are invited to leave any items you may not use here for the next person to continue the flow. Master copies of activity sheets or lesson plans are a key item we hope to see
keep growing in the store.

Utilities

Your stay in our house includes the bills for electricity, gas for cooking and running water.

Support Staff

From application to departure you will receive friendly and helpful advice along the way. Starting from connecting to our management team online once we receive your application you will be met upon arrival to Ghana by our support team who will also live in house with you should you have any questions day or night.

Additional Services that we can arrange for you

Airport Collection

We can arrange for one of our vehicles to collect you from the airport and bring you directly to the volunteer house although fuel, airport parking and toll fees must be covered by yourself – payable in US dollars or Ghana cedi on the day. (As of November 2019 this is around 400 cedi | You will be shown the costs for transparency as it’s completely not for profit).
We will arrange this as standard procedure unless you choose to OPT OUT as we would feel much more comfortable with you arriving into a new country that the team are on hand to greet and reliable vehicles made available for you and your luggage.
Upon arrival our Volunteer Support and Driver (Frank & Eben) will meet you outside the arrivals hall at Kotoka Intl. Airport. They will be holding a sign with your name on so they should be easy to spot!

Meal Packages / Catering

Our placement as standard is self catering however if you are not too comfortable in the kitchen we can also arrange meal packes on a weekly/monthly basis where our support staff or a local member of the community will prepare 2 meals day for you for an additional charge.

Clothing

We also have Atlas branded tshirts and clothing available so you can look the part at the placement site. Further details are provided once you are confirmed onto our team and these are available to preorder so we can have it ready for you upon arrival.

Not included in your fees

Flights

You will need to arrange your own flights into the airport in Accra which is Kotoka International Airport. We will then arrange a collection for you where our team will meet you at the airport and begin the 3 hour drive to the volunteer accommodation in the Kwahu mountains.

Visa

You will need to apply for a short term tourist visa through your local Ghanaian embassy. Although this needs to be processed yourself we will be on hand should you have any questions or require supporting documentation to provide for this.

Travel Insurance & Vaccinations

You will require a yellow fever vaccination certificate to gain entry into the country.
For current vaccination and malaria advice you can visit the MASTA site by clicking here.
For travel insurance quotes you can visit the experts at World Nomads by clicking here.

Food, Snacks & Beverages

This is a self catering placement so you are provided in the house with a kitchen with basic items to cook at home. You can easily buy fresh ingredients and drinking water from the local market in town. There are also street food sellers and cheap restaurants providing local and western cuisine for when you’ve had a long day.

Dates & Fees

1 week minimum – There is no maximum duration and we would suggest staying as long as possible to achieve the biggest social impact possible.

We have volunteers and placements throughout the year, therefore you are welcome to arrive in any month. We are also flexible with being able to arrange airport collections so you are able to arrive on any airline into Kotoka International Airport at any time on any day of the week.

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