About The Placement

This placement offers flexible levels of involvement depending on your experience, enthusiasm and interests. We currently provide opportunities in three main areas:

• Physical Education Teaching – Run sports and PE classes with either a set or varied age range. Ghana is football-mad, but if you’re passionate about another sport the children will be eager to try it. Who knows — you might help nurture the next sports star! Depending on the size of your school and the number of classes you agree to run, you may also assist with classroom lessons in other subjects throughout the day.

• Football Academy Support – We run our own children’s sports academy in Abetifi, offering free scholarships to talented young players who would otherwise be unable to afford fees. Through donations and volunteer support we cover coaching salaries, equipment, kit, drinking water, medical insurance, transport to tournaments and matches, and team-building activities. Longer-term volunteers may also be assigned to welfare checks — reviewing academy children’s home situations and school attendance, which is a key criterion for maintaining their scholarship.

• After-School Sports Clubs – Once children have finished their evening chores, they often have no organised activities to join. Volunteers with the energy and determination to set up local sports clubs can channel that energy into something positive. This is best suited to medium- or long-term stays and can be run alongside a daytime volunteering placement.

Why This Placement Matters

Most Ghanaian schools lack formal Physical Education lessons. They may have a football team but no inclusive programme for all students. By introducing structured sports and fitness activities you help:

• Promote physical health and skill development.

• Improve concentration and behaviour during school hours.

• Provide positive outlets for energy and creativity.

At our academy, funding currently covers only one coach responsible for a large number of children. Volunteers act as coaching assistants, splitting groups by age or ability and running drills or training sessions so every child gets more focused attention. No prior coaching experience is required — our resident coach will show you activities and weekly plans throughout your stay.

What's Included

• Shared volunteer accommodation in a modern house in semi-rural Kwahu with views of surrounding forests. Utilities such as electricity, running water, and kitchen facilities are provided.

• Airport pickup on arrival.

• Pre-departure support and access to our volunteer portal.

• 24/7 in-country support, with a local team member living on-site or nearby depending on volunteer numbers.

Your contribution directly sustains this support structure, enabling us to employ local staff and ensure volunteers have safe, comfortable living conditions.

Getting to Your Placement

Your Role

Depending on your skills and interests, you might:

• Physical Education Teacher – Work alongside staff to create a schedule fitting into their curriculum. Take classes out for PE lessons on the school field, adapting activities when supplies are limited. Classroom theory sessions can also be run depending on your qualifications or experience.

• After-School Clubs – Combine a teaching placement during the day with running a sports club for local children in the afternoon or evening. You can link it to your daytime placement or organise a different sport or game each day.

• Football Academy – Work with our coach and coordinators to plan your contribution. Most commonly you’ll help split the team into groups and run smaller activities, drills and training sessions to maximise impact. We can create a personalised timetable for you on arrival.

Your enthusiasm and creativity will inspire children, build their confidence, and introduce them to new sports and skills they may never have tried before.

Working Relationships

Building meaningful relationships is at the heart of this placement. We work hard to ensure volunteers are integrated into the life of the school rather than just “visiting” it. This approach benefits not only the children, but also the teachers and you as a volunteer, helping you gain a deeper understanding of Ghanaian education and culture.

• With Local Teachers – You will be paired with a class teacher or subject teacher who becomes your day-to-day point of contact. Together you will plan lessons, share ideas, and adapt activities for the class’s needs. This collaborative approach allows you to learn from their experience of teaching in Ghana while they benefit from your fresh perspectives and resources. Over time, you’ll build mutual respect and trust, making it easier to introduce new teaching methods or activities.

• With School Leadership – Headteachers and senior staff are actively involved in welcoming volunteers. They oversee your placement, answer questions about school policies, and ensure that your role complements the school’s goals. Regular check-ins give you a chance to discuss challenges, celebrate successes, and adjust your timetable if necessary.

• With Other Volunteers – When numbers permit, we place volunteers in small groups at the same school or nearby projects. Working alongside others fosters a sense of teamwork and shared learning. Volunteers often swap lesson plans, co-run after-school clubs, or partner up for small-group support. This camaraderie provides an extra layer of support and makes the experience more rewarding.

• With Our Local Team – A member of our staff visits each project regularly and is always available to mediate, advise, or help implement new ideas. They can assist with cultural nuances, suggest low-cost teaching resources, or simply act as a sounding board if you need reassurance. Because many of our team members live in the same communities, they also help you connect with local families and traditions beyond the school gates.

• With the Community – It’s common for volunteers to be invited to teachers’ homes or local events as a gesture of appreciation. Sharing meals, attending festivals, or taking part in community activities helps you gain a richer perspective on Ghanaian life and builds bonds that often last well beyond your placement.

This network of relationships means you’re never working in isolation. You become part of a team—teachers, headteachers, fellow volunteers, and our local staff—all united in the shared goal of improving educational opportunities for children.

Volunteer Expectations

Sports or coaching qualifications are not compulsory. During your orientation we’ll discuss your confidence level to match you with the right age group or programme.

The most important qualities are:

• Enthusiasm & Energy – Children respond well to positivity and encouragement.

• Flexibility & Adaptability – Timetables and activities may change at short notice.

• Empathy & Cultural Sensitivity – Respecting local customs builds trust and makes your contribution more effective.

• Reliability & Commitment – Attending Monday to Friday ensures continuity for students.

Bringing your own ideas for drills, games or team-building exercises can make a huge difference to the children’s experience.

Our Commitment to You

We are on hand at any time to support you — whether you’d like help organising a sports club, adjusting your placement, or planning weekend travel. Our local team at the volunteer house will also share insights on the area and Ghanaian life so you soon feel at home.

From pre-departure guidance and in-country orientation to regular project visits and 24/7 support, we’re here to make your placement safe, impactful, and fulfilling.

What to Bring

Sports equipment is scarce locally. We recommend bringing any lightweight coaching gear you can: footballs, cones, bibs, skipping ropes, whistle, or other small items to run games and drills. These will be invaluable throughout your placement and can be left behind for future volunteers.

During School Holidays

If your placement coincides with school holidays, we can arrange either holiday schools or run sports clubs and competitions for local children at one of the fields in town.

School holidays typically occur around Easter, August, and Christmas. Exact dates vary, and our team will advise you as they are announced. Leading up to vacation periods, you may also help with exams, invigilation, or support on our other community projects.