Special Needs Education & Care Volunteer and Internship Placement

🔴 Important Eligibility Note:

This is an onsite, self-funded international volunteer and internship placement located in Ghana. This opportunity is open ONLY to international applicants traveling from outside the African continent (including Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica). Because SFLIG operates on a sustainable, grassroots model, participants must fully fund their own experience, including international flights, visa arrangements, and the program fee which covers safe community housing, daily meals, airport pickup, and 24/7 onsite support. Local applications cannot be considered for this international framework.

Program Overview

Make a lasting impact on the lives of neurodivergent and disabled children by joining SFLIG Volunteers’ Special Needs track in Ghana. Structured as a volunteer and internship hybrid placement, this program is designed to provide hands-on experience that students can utilize to fulfill university internship requirements, complete field hours, or earn school credit.

Tailored for students and professionals in Special Education, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Psychology, and Social Work, this immersion offers a unique look at disability care and inclusive education in a developing nation. Participants support local educators, caregivers, and therapists in specialized schools, care centers, and community outreach programs, learning to adapt therapeutic and educational strategies to resource-limited environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Educational Support & Adaptation: Assist local teachers in classrooms for children with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and learning disabilities, helping to adapt daily lessons to individual student needs.
• Therapeutic Assistive Care: Under the guidance of local staff, help implement basic physical, occupational, or recreational activities designed to improve motor skills, coordination, and independence.
• Life Skills & Creative Enrichment: Lead or support engaging activities such as art, music, sensory play, and basic life-skills training to foster self-expression and cognitive development.
• Community Advocacy & Outreaches: Assist with community education initiatives aimed at reducing the social stigma surrounding disability and promoting inclusive care in rural areas.

University & School Credit Integration

We highly encourage participants to use this placement for their academic progression. If you are looking to secure school credit or satisfy internship hours, SFLIG will gladly collaborate with your university department. Our onsite supervisors will assist in signing required paperwork, tracking clinical/field hours, and providing performance evaluations to ensure your placement meets your institution’s academic criteria.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Current student or graduate in Special Education, Occupational/Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field.
• A deep sense of patience, empathy, emotional resilience, and respect for children of all ability levels.
• High adaptability and creativity to design engaging learning tools using limited, locally available resources.
• Onsite Commitment & Self-Funding: Ability to travel to and reside onsite in Ghana for the duration of your placement, with the financial capacity to cover all associated travel and program expenses.

Cultural Experience & Weekend Tours

Volunteering with SFLIG is a full cultural immersion. Beyond your hours at your placement, you will experience the famous warmth and hospitality of Ghana through local language lessons, traditional cooking sessions, and community gatherings.

On the weekends, you will have the opportunity to join coordinated group excursions to explore Ghana's rich history and breathtaking landscapes. Depending on your placement region, weekend tours can include:

• Walking the canopy bridges at Kakum National Park.
• Exploring the historic Cape Coast and Elmina Castles.
• Visiting the vibrant cultural markets of Kumasi.
• Relaxing on the beautiful beaches of the coastal region.