Sportforce: Gap Year and Career Break Sports Overseas

Programme Information

Physiotherapy in any developing country is usually under-funded and under-staffed, and this is the case in Ghana. Although there are a number of leading physiotherapists working in the country, Ghana openly welcomes help in this struggling area of sports and community development. This project is ideal for any postgraduate or experienced physiotherapist during a career break or working volunteer holiday.

Your Placement
The physiotherapy project requires volunteer physiotherapists who are already qualified or who have had some experience in the area (at least to second year degree standard). Physiotherapists work in two main areas in Ghana: clinical and sports institutions.

The community clinic is under-staffed and under-funded. Many of the patients' conditions reflect the problems in Ghana: lots of strokes due to hypertension, car accidents, and a high proportion of crush injuries to the hand and tendons from cutting and grinding machinery. A hand injury in Ghana usually means no compensation and no income, and only those that can afford the two pound fee per session have treatment. There is also a lot of facial palsy from otitis media, which is treated with electrical stimulation. The clinic does have equipment, including a hydrotherapy pool, but it has a long way to go before the clinic can cope with the needs of the local community. Volunteers will also be invited to teach Ghanaian physiotherapy students and work with current staff to share ideas and impart valuable knowledge from their 'western' training.

As a sports physiotherapist you will be working in association with the Ghana Football Association (GFA). This institution struggles to survive on a very tight budget and, as a result, the treatment of injuries and care of Ghana's top players is often neglected. Through the GFA, volunteers will have the chance to work as a full-time physiotherapist in one of the leading Premier League football clubs and Lower divisions. There is lack of training within the field of sports physiotherapy and volunteers will be able to leave behind valuable new procedures and treatment methods for the teams and individuals they work with.
Having had the opportunity to work in both clinics and sports institutions, you will have broadened your experience and this will put you in good stead to embark upon or continue your career in physiotherapy.

You need

The physiotherapy placement will allow you to contribute to an important area of community and sports development. You will provide the hands-on assistance and care that is usually unavailable to many injured locals as well as dedicated athletes. This will be a great experience for a future career as a professional physiotherapist or, alternatively, it will give you a better understanding of the hurdles many physiotherapists and medical professionals have to overcome in developing countries. Volunteers need to be self-motivated and prepared for some long and frustrating days. However, as a qualified physiotherapist, you really can make a positive impact to an often overlooked area of medical care.

Location

Ghana

Location: West Africa
Border Countries: Togo, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast
Population: 23 million
Total Area: - 238,535 km2 (91st) 92,098 sq mi
Capital City: Accra
Population of Capital City: 6 million
Official Language: English
Local Languages: About 32, 9 are written
Climate: Hot and Humid with temperatures up to 34 degrees
Religion: 3 Main types Christian, Islamic and Traditional (Indigenous)
Government: Constitutional Presidential Republic
Current President: Professor John Evans Atta Mills
Currency: Ghana Cedi ( GHC)
Time Zone: GMT
Calling Code: +233

You will get the opportunity to take some time off to do your own travelling and visit some of the amazing Ghanaian sights. Accra the capital has the art and cultural centre which showcases the rich culture of Ghana’s products such as drums, crafts, beads, the Kwame Nkrumah Museum (first president of Ghana) etc. Also prepare yourself for African drumming and dancing as you will have the opportunity to experience the true culture of Ghanaian Dancing. Bars and restaurants provide authentic African live music and dancing. There are also a large number of western-style pubs and clubs close to where you will be living. And, if you fancy a football experience to remember, then prepare yourself for watching Hearts of Oak at the National Stadium where the locals wave flags, blow horns and dance on the roofs of the terraces!

There are countless places beyond Accra to visit, such as the Lake Volta (the biggest man-made lake in Africa) or you might want to visit the historical slave castles of Cape Coast and Elmina. Take a walk on the wild side with the elephants at Mole National Park or spot tropical birds in the rainforest canopy at Kakum National Park. Then there is the 60-metre-high Wli waterfalls, the Buabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary (where monkeys are preserved as 'sacred' creatures!) and the endless palm-tree beaches lining the Atlantic coastline! The captivating places, intriguing people and diverse landscapes make Ghana one of the most enlightening places to go. Our in-country team will also help you build a travelling itinerary and give you plenty of advice on how to make your way through the country.

Accommodation

The accommodation is basic but comfortable and you will stay in room or two’s or three’s sometimes. The accommodation is also centrally located to the placements. Shops and other useful amenities are either a short walk or taxi ride away.

   

Extras

Equipment Donation
As part of our development package to the community, part of your fees goes into providing related equipment needed for placement. These equipments are left behind as that forms part of sustaining development in the community. Cash donations are made sometimes when there are sufficient equipment already.

Social Life in Ghana
There are a lot of things to do when it comes to social life in Ghana. Even though placement forms the core of the reason of your trip, we have also made provision for you to relax and enjoy the fun and excitement Ghana has got to offer when it comes to social life. In-country staff will organise regular social activities/events for you. These usually include weekend always to bring volunteers together to share ideas and to know more about each other, sporting activities, night outs to bars/pubs in Accra etc.

Spending Money
Even though you will be provided with food and accommodation in-country, you will need money to conduct your own travelling and for other social events we organise. There will be plenty of things to do. Depending on the duration of your stay, we recommend a budget of £30-£40 a week.

Currency
Currency: Ghana Cedi
Symbol: GHC
Exchange Rate (approx.): $1.00 = GHC 1.40/ £1.00= GHC 1.90

Visa
Travellers to Ghana (outside the West African region (ECOWAS)) need to acquire Visas to enter Ghana. This includes travellers from Europe and the USA. You are required to arrange your own visa before departure - either a Holiday or Visitors Visa. This can be done by applying in your country. Visit the Ghanaian Visa section on the address below if you are applying from the UK. It is important to contact the nearest Ghanaian embassy or High Commission for your visa which normally takes a week or two to process. The Ghanaian High Commission can be located at:

UK:
Passports & Immigration
104 Highgate Hill London
N6 5HE
Tel: 020 8342 7580

The cost of Visas may vary. Pricing is available from the Ghanaian embassy or High commission in your area.

Summary

 

Activities:		Offer physiotherapy treatment and teaching methods to under resourced community clinics and sports organisations (approx 40% sports physio work and 60% clinical work)
Arrival Airport:		Please book your flight to arrive into Kotoka International Airport (airport code ACC) on the advertised arrival date to ensure your airport pickup.
Included:		Physiotherapy Volunteer / Internship Placement; All accommodation and meals; Airport pick-up and drop off; Orientation; Advice about transport to / from placement; Pre-departure advice and assistance; 24 hour local support; Social activities
Not Included:		Flights; Travel Insurance; Visas; Vaccinations; Spending money; In country travel; Payment for transport to / from placement; Laundry service; Soft drinks and alcohol; Extra activities not on itinerary
Accommodation:		Communal House; Basic but comfortable; Dormitory style rooms (2-4 people per room); Shared toilets / showers
Food:		3 meals a day; Basic but nutritious
Typical Hours:		Monday-Friday; 4-6 hours a day; Occasional work at weekends but usually free for personal time and travel. Please be aware that some public holidays may cause some disruption to placement times / days during your trip.
Qualifications:		No special qualification or experience is needed, just enthusiasm and a genuine desire to help.
Prerequisites:		Physiotherapists need to be self-motivated to take part in this placement and have a 'hands on' approach. You must also have recognised experience and qualifications to at least 2nd year undergraduate level.
Physical Rating:		Moderate fitness level required
Minimum Age:		18
Ideal For:		Volunteer Physiotherapy Holidays in Africa; Internship Placements in Africa; Activity Breaks in Africa; Volunteer Physiotherapy Gap Years and Career Breaks in Africa;

Dates and Prices: Summer Special 20% DISCOUNT!!!

  

Prices:

3 weeks                        £795 normally £965 

4 weeks                        £965 normally £1150

Each additional week     £195 for every additional week

   

Includes: Open day, briefing session and BBQ in London before you leave, reunion party and the fully inclusive programme as listed in the Summary tab above.
Excludes: International flights and travel insurance – we provide you with links and advice to help you.

   

Start Dates: the first Saturday of each month.

     

Just call 020 7384 3028 or email us with any questions.