Save the Earth Network, founded in 1988, is a Ghana based NGO dedicated
to promoting sustainable development, agro-forestry, environmental conservation,
international solidarity and cultural immersion through voluntary work,
eco-tourism and cultural tourism in Ghana. Our aims are to help reduce
poverty, hunger, malnutrition, disease, illiteracy, drug abuse, unemployment,
and environmental degradation that are increasingly becoming the order
of the day in most parts of the developing world.
We are a membership-based organization and also a networking tool for
environmental, social and economic development activists. We also offer
travellers from abroad the most socially responsible, exciting and affordable
eco-friendly alternative to mass tourism.
Ghana is an English speaking country on Africa's west coast with
a population of over 18 million and over 92,099 square miles. Along much
of the coast stretches a sandy, grass-and-shrub-covered plain. Behind
it rises a moderately high plateau broken by forested hills and steep
ridges. Ghana has a tropical climate with temperatures from 70 to 90 oF.
Except for small European and Asian minorities, Ghanaians are people of
many tribes. Most Ghanaians are Christians but there are many Moslems
and others who hold animist beliefs.
We offer volunteer placements in areas that includes renovation and construction
of school buildings and libraries for poor rural communities, teaching
English language in foster homes and orphanages, HIV/AIDS prevention education,
re-forestation and agro-forestry through tree planting and organic farming.
No special skills, qualifications or previous experience is required of
volunteers – all that is required is motivation, charisma, initiative,
drive and the compassion to assist the underprivileged overcome their
challenges and their struggle for dignity.
Volunteers can participate in most of the programs from a period of 4
weeks to 52 weeks or more. Volunteers work four days a week, from Monday
to Thursday and can decide upon the amount of hours worked each day. The
cost of participating in the voluntary work program is US$250 for 4 weeks.
This charge covers board and lodging and help towards the running of our
organisation. Volunteers stay with host families in homes with electricity
and water. We can offer a 25% discount on the cost of volunteers who would
like to participate for a period of more than 8 weeks.
We also have a holiday program where people can stay with host families
for a holiday, cultural exchange, relaxation and recreation or to learn
the local language. The charge for this, including board and lodging is
US $250 for three or four weeks. Special discounts are available for longer
stays.
We offer guided three day general tours each Friday, Saturday and Sunday
for volunteers and those who are interested in seeing some of the tourist
attractions in Ghana. The cost of this is US $100 for the tour guide for
the three days plus the costs of bus, food and hotels – all of which can
be advised upon.
We also organise unique eco-tourism programs in Ghana in conjunction
with tour operators in Ghana. Our eco-tourism focuses on local cultures,
wilderness adventures, personal growth and learning new ways to live in
our vulnerable planet. We focus on travelling to destinations where the
floral, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions.
Areas of eco-tourism which we cover includes small group hiking, river
rafting and canoeing, villages and beaches, culture and photo tours, traditional
stories, historic sites, traditional drumming and dances, traditional
houses, trekking, animal sanctuaries, nature tourism, exotic natural habitats,
scenes of spectacular natural beauty etc. the cost of joining is US $200
a week including food (at restaurants) and accommodation (at hotels) and
transportation (bus) and professional tour guide's charge. Participants
experience rich cultural immersion and unique hospitality. It is fun,
worthwhile and rewarding.
People who would like to participate in any of our programs should please
contact us for more information, contact: Edgar Asare or Eben Mensah at
Save the Earth Network, P.O. Box CT 3635, Cantonments, Accra, Ghana. West
Africa. Tel: 233-21-667791, Fax: 233-21-231485.Email:ebensten@yahoo.com