Wild Gecko Handicrafts
Wild Gecko Handicrafts has for some years now been in the business of improving and developing local Artisan Skills towards adapting and developing traditional products and technologies to meet new demands of local and export markets for innovative and high-quality products.
Their products, comprising primarily handcrafted furniture and personal and household decorations and accessories, have been exported to numerous countries including the USA, UK, Ireland, Germany, The Netherlands, Italy, Israel, Jamaica, Australia, Malaysia and continentally to Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Benin and Burkina Faso. The range includes such items as jewellery, textiles and clothing, furniture, frames, stationery, sculptures and carvings made from materials such as brass, horn, glass, aluminium, wood and grass.
The bulk of our products are manufactured locally at our workshops at Okponglo or elsewhere in and around Accra and the rest of Ghana , although we also showcase products specially sourced from currently about 15 other African countries including South Africa , Swaziland , Zimbabwe , Kenya , Cameroon , Niger, Madagascar , Mauritania , Morocco and Ethiopia .
Wild Gecko are currently looking for the following volunteers:
• Skilled carpenters / wood workers/ joiners are needed in the workshop to offer advice, training and guidance to the current 8 employees in the wood workshop. You will be making solid wood furniture with tropical hardwoods. You will be working with mostly illiterate workers and us such you will need to know how to communicate with "your hands and feet." The machinery dates from the '60s to the '90s and comes from around the world.
You will have to have patience and be a real team player and good communicator. The ideal candidate will have at least 5yrs work experience with jigs, fixtures and routers.
Code: WG01
• Blacksmiths: skilled blacksmiths and welders are required to train staff in new techniques and maybe along the way pick up some African skills. Guidance is needed with product development, from sketch to product.
You will have to have patience and be a real team player and good communicator. The ideal candidate will have at least 5yrs work experience.
Code: WG02
• Jewelers are required to help design and make new contemporary African jewelry. You will have to have patience and be a real team player and good communicator. The ideal candidate will have at least 5yrs work experience.
Code: WG03
To apply for this placement please click here quoting the placement code.
If you have skills that are not listed above but you think would make a valuable contribution to Wild Gecko please email us at info@ikando.org. We are urgently looking for Artisans of any profession. We would be happy to try and accommodate you.
What kind of skills you need for this placement:
Volunteers must have a strong interest in handicrafts and contemporary African product development. You will need to be flexible and tolerant, show initiative and enthusiasm to face the many hurdles and challenges that you will encounter.
In order to maintain the sustainability and high performance of this project all volunteers are required to complete a detailed hand-over document for successive volunteers.
Where is the placement based?
The placement is based in the capital Accra.
Duration
Minimum length (weeks) 2
Maximum length (weeks) 8
Project Fees
| Currency |
4 weeks (incl deposit) |
Each additional week |
Deposit |
| British Pounds |
£ 481 |
£ 87 |
£ 150 |
| US Dollars |
$ 913 |
$ 163 |
$ 297 |
| Euros |
|
€ 127 |
€ 234 |
Click here for more information on our pricing.
What’s included in the project fees?
• Accommodation
• Welcome pack
• $100 donation to the host organisation.
• 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
There are a number of health clinics and hospitals in the area. Volunteers should show due care and diligence whilst in placement. We recommend volunteers do not walk alone at night. Refrain from bringing expensive items as these attract attention.
Other details
• Working hours: 8am to 5pm Monday to Thursday.
• The volunteer will be housed in our accommodation in the centre of town, it
is clean and well maintained. Previous volunteers described the flat as "a lovely haven in all the chaos." The accommodation is centrally located to Accra, with it possible to walk from the accommodation to nearby shops, communication centres, bars and restaurants.
• Wireless Internet is available at the accommodation
• The accommodation has 24/7 security
• Washing & ironing facility is available.
• Please arrive on a weekday to avoid being surcharged for weekend pick-ups.
• There are small stores in the neighbourhood and larger supermarkets can be found a 5-min drive away.
Request more info!
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