Volunteer Guidelines
Volunteers contribute a great deal to our organization. They not only provide practical help but, more importantly, they often forge deep friendships with Ghanaian friends, making it a mutually enriching experience. However, OCLF is a small organization and so we are only able to accommodate a few volunteers at a time. Every person we place requires the following: arranging an appropriate placement that is beneficial for both the volunteer and the host library; ensuring that the timing details have been worked out; helping to prepare visa documentation; securing accommodation, and picking up and delivering at the airport.
Requirements of the Volunteer
First and foremost, our volunteers must love children. Over the years, we have found that experience with young children is of paramount importance for working in our libraries. Teaching experience, especially at the lower grades, is very helpful. Work or volunteer experience with community centres or summer camps is also useful.
Volunteers require considerable initiative. They are on their own, with the help of the librarian, to develop ideas to challenge and engage the children, especially in assisting their reading. Educational games and songs are very popular and a knowledge of crafts comes in handy.
We expect our volunteers to work full days – Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. plus travel time. If posted at the Kathy Knowles Community Library, Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday mornings. Our libraries can be very busy places so the job often requires considerable stamina and patience to handle large numbers of energetic children.
Responsibilities of the Volunteer
Volunteers must cover the cost of their transport to Ghana, vaccinations, malaria tablets, health and evacuation insurance and all their in-country living expenses ($100 per week minimum).
Prior to their placement, we ask volunteers to raise or donate to the Fund the amount of $2,000 CDN. This is not an administration fee but it goes to supporting OCLF’s efforts. Individual donations above $15 receive a tax receipt.
Volunteer logistics
Placements vary from library to library. Some are in the capital, Accra, while others are in rural settings. The placement depends on the volunteer’s preference, a suitable host library and appropriate accommodation.
The length of the placement is not fixed. Since it takes several weeks to adjust to the climate and the pace of life, we suggest a minimum stay of one month. Most volunteers find a term of three to six months works well.
Accommodation is arranged once the placement is decided. There is a welcoming but modest guesthouse in Accra and Joana Felih, OCLF’s head librarian, is the host. Like many areas in the capital, the water supply at the guesthouse is infrequent and there are occasional power shortages. The guesthouse does not have air conditioning but ceiling fans help.
There are risks to traveling and working in a tropical developing country and we expect volunteers to research the necessary health precautions. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for young people and so it is important to travel during daylight hours only. We recommend the use of State Transport Company (STC) buses for out-of-town travel and not trotros. Crime is a fact of life and Accra, like other major cities, has its share. By taking precautions, it is possible to minimize your risk. Volunteers are required to sign a waiver absolving the OCLF of all responsibility relating to accidents, illness and crime.
Volunteers are expected to be ambassadors of their own country as well as good representatives of OCLF. This means being punctual, cordial and well groomed. Women should dress conservatively and wear skirts/blouses or dresses and men should wear pants (no jeans) and collared or button-down shirts (no T-shirts) during their working hours.
We do not allow dating, driving or drinking. Drugs are illegal and harsh penalties are enforced.
We have found that it is too disruptive to have family or friends visit during your volunteer placement. We suggest that they visit after you finish.
There will be no vacation breaks during the placement period, except for Christmas and Easter or national holidays. Any travelling should be done at the end of the placement or on weekends to avoid any disruption to the volunteer experience.
If you are interested in volunteering with our organization, please compete the application and mail or e-mail it to us, together with a copy of your resume and two references.
On returning home
We hope that OCLF volunteers will become ambassadors for our organization when they return home, providing their experience is a good one. Many past donors have continued their financial support and/or have shared stories with their families and friends, who in turn become donors.
It is expected that each volunteer send a letter of appreciation to his/her host and include copies of pictures taken. We also ask volunteers to write a short report of their stay for OCLF’s website Volunteer Reflection’s page. This should be submitted within a month of returning home, together with a head and shoulders photo and others, if desired. Think also about writing an article about your stay for your local newspaper.
Thank you for your interest,
Kathy Knowles
Program Director
Guidelines for volunteers staying at the Accra Guesthouse dated May 2011