SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOL PROJECT

The Edwenase Rehabilitation or special needs centre, in kumasi, Ghana is a special needs school tending to the needs of “mentally handicapped” individuals. The school was founded by the first president of Ghana Dr Kwame Nkrumah and has over 160 students, with limited staffing. The school addresses students’ life and vocational needs, emphasizing training for productive roles in society following students’ matriculation. It admits students from 14 to 25 years of age.

Facilities include classrooms, offices, boys’ and girls’ dormitories, a kitchen, a dining hall, vocational workshops, gardens, play areas, and stockyards. The facilities are about 40+ years old. The fundamental structures are made of cinder blocks and appear to be solid.

PYVO GHANA volunteers will work together with the local staffs to provide means for improvement of quality of life and academic achievements for children

DETAILS OF PROJECT

The new PYVO GHANA Special Needs Care project will give volunteers the opportunity to assist with people with physical and mental disabilities in Kumasi. These people are often hidden from view by their families due to a lack of support, education and disability awareness. Volunteers can help change this by teaching local families and communities about special needs, while also providing care, attention and support for those with disabilities.

EXPECTATIONS AND HOW VOLUNTEERS COULD MAKE AN IMPACT

The Ghanaian culture is built largely around family values and beliefs, and it is expected that children should be able to contribute while at home and ultimately provide for themselves when they reach adulthood. However, there are large numbers of children born with disabilities who don’t have access to support and can’t provide for themselves. There are also many Ghanaians who become disabled through the course of their lives.

As a PYVO Special Needs Care volunteer you will provide hands-on support, care and help with disability education for families and local communities. Your tasks will depend on your experience and any relevant qualifications but may include:

• Teaching
• General supervision
• Interacting with and providing training for the family and their community
• Helping at meal times
• Preparing and serving meals
• Cleaning up after meals

Volunteers with suitable experiences and knowledge may also be able to assist with physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

ACTIVITIES AT THE SCHOOL

• Dress making
• Tailoring
• Shoe Making
• Beads Work
• Music Centre
• Rural Craft

Volunteering working hours is 5 hours a day but volunteers could stay longer if they wish