Ghana Mini-Venture offers unique opportunities for participants wanting to explore the beauty that is Ghana – along with its fascinating culture, astounding nature, and warm, welcoming people – all while providing some much needed improvement in the life of orphans. Participants will teach subjects such as health education, English and issues of proper sanitation to these unfortunate children. Volunteers will also nurture the children’s creative sides by helping them in such subjects as art, playing/taking part in/leading in games as well as other extracurricular activities and any other talents volunteers wish to share.

At the close of the community contribution phase, participants will set-out on a 4-day tour of gorgeous Ghana – experiencing a rich past as well as its developing, exciting future and other numerous, natural and historical wonders, including: the coastal slaves castles of Cape Coast and El Mina, Kumasi (the awe-inspiring, historical capital of the Ashanti Empire), trekking a high-hanging canopy atop the Kakum National Park Rainforest, discovering the single, largest market in West Africa, an ancient museum and the most massive lake in West Africa.

Mini Venture Schedule:

Day 0: Airport pick up and transfer to accommodation

Day 1: Orientation on children issues, field conditions, host family, safety issues, weather, working projects, and other related topics.

Days 2-10: After breakfast, volunteers will go to the orphanage. We will meet project staffs, discuss on work responsibilities and other issues. As a volunteer in orphanage, you will teach English to kids. You also help in cleaning, washing, playing games, helping with the homework, and organize extracurricular activities for kids. During free time, volunteers can hike around and experience the warmth and friendliness of the people

Days 11- 14: Exploration of Ghana for 4 days

Day 11: Travel to Kumasi . Visit the Manhyia Palace Museum and watch a film presentation that introduces you to the rich culture, history, and wealth of the Asante King. Visit the durbar of chiefs where the King of Asante sits at the Manhyia Palace to learn more about Asante chieftaincy and culture.

Day 12: Explore the craft villages that surround Kumasi for the famous Kente cloth at Bonwire (origin of kente), Adinkra textile printing at Ntonsu, and wood carving at Ahwiaa. Each craft village has a particular claim to artistic fame. Bonwire is the capital of the Kente cloth, while Ntonso boasts the Adinkra cloth. Ahwiaa produces outstanding carved figures, including Ghana 's traditional fertility doll, and Kurofuforum specializes in the casting of brass. Leave for Kukum and Cape Coast in the afternoon.

Day 13: Visit the Kakum National Park , a semi deciduous tropical rain forest. Enjoy a walk on one of the only four canopy walkways in the world, which offers you a bird's eye view of the forest. Or trek on the Kenton trail and get to know the medicinal value of the various African tree species.

Visit the slave castles: Elmina Castle , the first and largest European edifice on the coast of West Africa, built in 1482, and the Cape Coast Castle , which became the seat of British colonial administration until 1877. The history of black slavery unfolds as you tour around these Castles.

Day 14: Return to Accra in the morning , and take a tour of Accra . Visit the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park , peruse Ghana 's cultural history at the National Museum , and tour the home of Dr. W.E.B. Dubois, the African-American who spent the last few years of his life helping to build the foundations of a new state, Ghana . Attractions at the WEB Dubois Memorial Centre for Pan African Culture include his tomb, a museum, a library, and a very interesting narration.