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Autism Awareness Centre
The Autism Centre is a local support and education centre for children with autism that was founded in 1998 by a mother of a child with autism. AACT's mission is to support the families of children with autism. In order to achieve this mission, AACT focuses on two primary areas: 1) promoting awareness and understanding of autism in Ghana ; and 2) providing training and educational services to children with autism in order for them to function more effectively in society. 
Whilst developing countries understand autism as a medical disorder, the general public in Ghana have little or no understanding of autism. Given this “gap”, families of children with autism are often left ostracized from their communities and extended families. In some cases, the mothers of children with autism are seen as “witches” that have possessed their child with evil spirits. For these reasons, having a child with autism in Ghana is a traumatic and painful experience for most families.
Listen to the Director being interviewed on CNN here.
Pictures of the Autism Awareness Centre.
Available Positions
Teaching Assistant |
Speech Therapist A Speech & Language Therapist is required to help teach the autistic children how to speak through verbal & non-verbal communication using pictures and diagrams. |
Students Dedicated and hard-working students are more than welcome to come to the centre to help and gain experience working with autistic children. Code: AACT03 |
Playtime Coordinator A dedicated volunteer is required to help give additional one-on-one attention to the children through activities such as drama, dance, art, music and games. Code: AACT04 |
Drama Therapist A drama therapist is required to combine the aims & techniques of drama and theatre with those of psychotherapy to help the children expand their quality of life. Code: AACT05 |
Music TherapistA dedicated & patient music therapist is required to combine the aims & techniques of music with those of psychotherapy to help the children expand their quality of life. Code: AACT06 |
Clinical Psychologist A Clinical Psychologist is needed to reduce psychological distress and enhance and promote the psychological well being of the children. Code: AACT07Request more info | Apply |
Art Therapist A dedicated & patient art therapist is required to combine the aims and techniques of art with those of psychotherapy to help the children expand their quality of life. Code: AACT08 |
Special Needs TeacherAn experienced Special Educational Needs Teacher is required. The ideal candidate will have both academic and teaching experience with special needs children. Code: AACT09 |
Occupational Therapist An occupational therapist is required to work closely with the children to help them gain more confidence and control by designing treatment programs. Code: AACT10 |
Fundraiser The prospective volunteer will be required to look at the options for fundraising, meet with potential donors and draft fundraising proposals. Code: AACT11 |
Requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years of age upon application.
- You must have a background of relevance to the individual position and have a strong interest in helping disadvantaged children.
- In order to maintain the sustainability and high performance of this project all interns are required to complete a detailed hand-over document for successive interns.
- You will need to be flexible and tolerant, show initiative and enthusiasm to face the many hurdles and challenges that you will encounter.
Documentation Requirements:
- A completed application form - required for application.
- A personal or professional reference given by an employer, teacher, lawyer or doctor. This reference must include detail of the context in which the referee knows you and stating that he/she knows of no reason why you should not volunteer. The referee should also provide their contact details in order that Ikando can contact them prior to your departure to confirm the reference given. This reference should be emailed by the referee to info [at] ikando.org.
- A copy by email to info [at] ikando.org of your travel (including medical) insurance certificates.
- Information on your travel arrangements (flight number, airline, arrival and departure time and dates). We always recommend volunteers who book online to email us their booking.
- A copy of the photo page of your passport to be emailed to info [at] ikando.org.
All Documentation must be sent to us at least two weeks before arrival.
Academic credit is available for this placement. Email us for more information.
Important Details
| Project Duration | Minimum Duration 6 weeks - Maximum Duration 52 weeks (can be extended in-country) |
| Dates | You can volunteer at any time throughout the year. |
| Pricing | £ 829 for 6 weeks, £87 per week thereafter. For prices in your local currency click here. |
| Deposit | £ 150 (included in total price) |
| Location | Accra |
| Airport to fly into | Accra Airport (ACC) - (also known as Kotoka International Airport) |
| In-country Budget | From $50 on a tight budget to $150 p/week if you wish to explore Ghana. Read more... |
Click here for more information on our pricing.
What’s included in the project fees?
• Accommodation
• Welcome pack
• In-country introduction to life in Ghana.
• Airport pick-up & drop-off
• 24/7 Emergency support.
What’s not included?
• Flights & Visa
• Vaccinations (please speak to your local GP)
• Insurance (required)
Health and Safety
Ghana is one of the safest countries in Africa. In the Global Peace Index it is ranked above both the United Kingdom and the US. It is the perfect introduction for first time volunteers to Africa. It has a democratic electoral process and a stable economy. Our ten-strong team in Ghana is there to ensure your health and safety at all times and you'll have emergency support 24/7.
Accommodation
The volunteer will be housed in our accommodation in the centre of town, with it possible to walk from the accommodation to nearby shops, communication centres, bars and restaurants. The spacious accommodation with a fully furnished kitchen is well maintained and has live-in staff to ensure you are well looked after. The surrounding garden and balconies overlooking Accra are perfect for chill out sessions with fellow volunteer housemates.
Food
Food is not included in our placements as in our experience volunteers prefer to cater for themselves. We have a fully furnished kitchen and our staff will show you where you can do your shopping. Western-style supermarkets and the bustling markets can be found nearby. A weekly vegetable & fruit shop can cost as little at $10, however shopping at the western-style supermarkets can be quite dear as most goods are imported.
"Quarshi (Ikando Staff) will introduce you to a woman named Felicia who sells mangos and bananas. Her mangos may very well be the sweetest in town. And, you will love shopping in the market." Elise Wray.
Airport Pick up
An Ikando member of staff will be at the airport arrivals to meet you and take you to the Accra accommodation. Please be aware that arrivals is located outside the airport, just keep an eye out for a sign with your name on it. Please ensure you send us your flight details two weeks before arrival.
Flights
Volunteers must arrange their own flights to Accra Airport (ACC). Please be aware that you should aim to arrive on the day your placement is due to start. If you are unable to do so please just check first with your volunteer coordinator whether the new dates also work for us. The following airlines fly into Accra:
- Alitalia (Lagos, Rome-Fiumicino)
- British Airways (London-Heathrow)
- Delta Air Lines (New York-JFK)
- EgyptAir (Cairo)
- Emirates (Abidjan, Dubai)
- Ethiopian Airlines (Abidjan, Addis Ababa, Lagos, Lome)
- Ghana International Airlines (London-Gatwick, Dusseldorf)
- Kenya Airways (Nairobi, Freetown, Monrovia)
- KLM (Amsterdam)
- Lufthansa (Frankfurt, Lagos)
- South African Airways (Johannesburg)
