Web Designer / Computer Instructor

CWC Children's Village has its headquarters in Accra-Ghana, West Africa and registered with the Ghana Government as a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) and is a non-profit-making organisation. The Children's Village was founded by Rev. Hansen Mettle and his wife Mrs. Juliana Mettle in 1999. It mobilises financial and material support to meet the needs of the under-privileged and orphaned children in Africa. The organisation feeds, clothes, provides shelter and educates abandoned children. The children are housed with a "House Mother" who is a trained Social Welfare Officer. The Children’s Village has two homes. There are two House Mothers who take care of roughly 30 orphans. The organisation also provides material support to rural women to help them set up small businesses.

Education in Ghana

Sometimes we forget how fortunate we are. It goes without saying that children in the developed world go to school every day. In many countries this is not the case. In Ghana around 1 million children are denied education because their parents cannot afford it. One of the millennium goals of the United Nations is that every child in the world should be able to go to school every day by 2015. According to Ghanaian law primary education is for free, and education is compulsory for children until 16 years of age. However, not only is this not always the case, for many parents it is impossible to provide for the costs of a uniform, books and school supplies. Moreover, the distance to the nearest public school is often impossible to cover, either financially or physically. For many children it is financially impossible to go to senior secondary school, which reduces the opportunity of a job and a better future. The Children’s Village would like to contribute to some of these children and give them a chance of a better future.

The educational system in Ghana is different from that found in most developed countries. Only some children are privileged enough to go to nursery school. Primary education starts at the age of 6, when children go to primary school for 6 years. After primary school they attend Junior Secondary School for 3 years. Three years of Senior Secondary School, Technical School or Vocational School starts at the age of 16, and are only for those who can afford the school fees. Statistics show that an average of only 83% of the children attend Primary School, and only 42,5 % attend Secondary School.


The volunteer

The Children’s Village requires the skills of a web designer who can both develop a user friendly, attractive and informative website as well as teach staff members and students some basic computer skills. The role will be fundamental in teaching new skills as well as introducing and bringing the Children’s Village onto the web and online communities.

The role will include some or all of the following: 

• Design using code as well as coding programs - the more types of codes and programs the better. Common codes include HTML, XHTML, Javascript and PHP;
• Build website functions such as quizzes and message boards;
• Teach both staff members and students some basic computing skills e.g. internet;
• Prepare user-friendly (in layman’s terms) manuals / documents to be used by staff and students alike.
  
  

Requirements:

• You must be at least 18 years of age upon application;
• Be patient, attentive and fun;
• You must have a background of relevance to the individual position and have a strong interest in helping disadvantaged children.
• Volunteers must have an interest in child welfare, be compassionate and loving.
• Volunteers must be prepared to live with shortages, be flexible and tolerant to deal with these different living conditions.
• In addition to building web sites, you must also be able to maintain and update them;
• Have excellent record keeping skills and be able to meticulously record step-by step instructions that others can easily follow;
• Should know the standard differences in style and function between sites for different purposes, such as business, personal, entertainment and information;
• You are a programmer with an artistic eye who must create visually appealing sites;
• The volunteer Web designer / Computer Instructor must be self-motivated, dedicated and demonstrate an ability to take the initiative. You will need to be flexible and tolerant and show enthusiasm to face the many hurdles and challenges that you will encounter.    

The Application Process

Step 1: The Application Form - To apply for one of our positions please complete our online application form. To save us and more importantly our already overstretched partner organisations time, please only complete this form if you are serious about applying.

Step 2: The Additional Info Form - As soon as we receive approval for your placement from the partner organisation we will send you an additional form to complete. This form requests information on your emergency contact details, your health background and other important information. Please email this form back to us as soon as possible.

Step3: Secure your Placement - Once we receive your additional information form back we will invoice you for your placement. Your deposit will be due within a week of the date of the invoice. If you are applying less than 60 days before the start of your placement, you will be invoiced for the whole amount. Please be aware that your placement is not secured until you have received confirmation from us of receipt of either the deposit or full payment. Once you have secured your placement you can start booking flights. We recommend you purchase insurance as soon as you secure your placement.

Step 4: Speak to your In-Country Coordinator - We will email you a week before your remainder is due. As soon as we receive your remainder we will introduce you to your In-Country Coordinator who will help you prepare for your trip and will ensure that an Ikando member of staff is at the airport to meet you.

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. References cannot be family memebers
• 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.

The Orientation

We will provide you with a stress-free and in-depth introduction to Ghana by picking you up from the airport and giving you an orientation that helps to settle you into the country as quickly as possible. The Orientation will include showing you the places of interest in Accra, getting your money changed, informing you where you can do your shopping, and much, much more.

We have staff on-call 24/7, so if there is ever anything you need we are there and happy to be of assistance.

Important Details

Click here for more information on our pricing.

What’s included in the project fees?
• Accommodation and a fully furnished kitchen
• Welcome pack
• In-country introduction to life in Ghana.
• Airport pick-up & drop-off
• Live-in Ikando staff support
• 24/7 Emergency support.

What’s not included?
• Flights & Visa
• Vaccinations (please speak to your local doctor)
• Insurance, both Medical and Travel (required)