Lolobi Ashiambi

You will be based in Lolobi Ashiambi, a small farming village in Ghana’s Volta Region with a population of around 2,000.

Your Project

The community is modest in terms of infrastructure and amenities, but warm and welcoming. Lolobi Ashiambi lies just 6km from the larger town of Hohoe, which can be reached in about 15 minutes by regular tro-tros (minibuses).

As a volunteer, you will divide your time between three local schools: the Primary School, the Junior High School, and RISE Preparatory School (for kindergarten-aged children). Lolobi Ashiambi RC Primary School serves 210 students with the support of 10 teachers and 8 student teachers. At both the Primary and Junior High Schools, you will be involved in teaching a mix of English, Maths, Science, and ICT.

RISE Preparatory School has a particularly inspiring story. Founded in 2008 by community member Eunice Owusu with just 17 children and 40 Ghana Cedis, it now provides care and education for 99 children, including several with learning disabilities. Many of the children are from farming families, and the school doubles as a day-care centre where parents can safely leave their children from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for a small fee. The school operates out of a disused Catholic church, and here you may teach English and Maths or simply spend time playing with the children.

This project demands dedication, initiative, and creativity. You will have the chance to build on the work of previous volunteers by continuing reading groups, individual tuition, or debating clubs. At the same time, you are encouraged to bring your own ideas and set up new extracurricular activities that will enrich the lives of the students and the wider community.

Accommodation

You will be staying with your partner in a flat within a family compound, just a five-minute walk from the Primary School and Prep School, outside the main centre of the village. The ground-floor flat has two bedrooms, a large living area, a separate shower and toilet, and a front porch. You will have running water and electricity, although the electricity may be erratic at times.