Description
LOCATION
Five regions in Ghana - the Greater Accra Region; the Central Region; the Western Region; the Eastern Region; and the Upper East Region
FOCUS AREAS
Adult Education, Community Development, Health & Hygiene, Micro-Enterprise, Women Empowerment
MENTOR
To Be ConfirmedDATE
No scheduled dates as of yet. Please contact us for bookings.
COST PER PARTICIPANT
To Be Confirmed
Mentorship Program to Ghana
The NGO Photographers Alliance will be holding a Mentorship program in conjunction with GRIKOB Foundation, our partner organisation based in Agona, Ghana. Established in 2013, the organisation is a volunteering organisation built out of the efforts and dedication of young, enthusiastic men and women. The Foundation positions its work as a humanitarian intervention aimed at empowering women through adopting education (formal/ non-formal) coupled with skilled / vocational training geared toward helping women become independent and self-reliant.
The core value of GFG is grounded in the universal assertion that every individual has the right to take his or her destiny into their own hands. It is also guided by the principle of promoting self-reliance, thereby increasing the integrity and self-esteem of the individual woman. GFG staff and volunteers work across the country directly with members of the local community and implement a number initiatives across the spheres of agricultural work, childcare, web work, teaching, healthcare, and in the arts and crafts. The initiatives of GFG are largely hinged on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 to advance the communal spirit of women as well as their entrepreneurial skills.
WHAT DOES THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM ENTAIL?
This Mentorship program is an intensive 8 day program combining photography workshops, private 1 on 1 mentor feedback sessions, participation in NGO-related activities in conjunction with GRIKOB Foundation Ghana as well as an cultural expedition to the Upper East Region of Ghana that will allow participants to visit historical places of interest such as the Paga Crocodile Pond, the ancient slave camp of Paga Nania, the Tongo Hills, the picturesque village of Sirigu among other historical sites. Each program only caters to a small number of participants, thus enabling participants to engage more closely with the mentor as well as members of the NGO and the local communities. Participants embarking on this Mentorship Program will visit the offices of GFG and work alongside their team in various community locations where projects are carried out. At the conclusion of the program, participants have the opportunity to continue travelling in Accra or to other cities in Ghana.
FUNDING FROM EACH MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
How we support our interconnected programs
Sponsorship Program
15% of the funds raised from each Mentorship program goes towards our Sponsorship program, which supports our core objective of combating preventable blindness worldwide.One Camera for Every Child
10% of the funds raised from each Mentorship program goes into our "One Camera for Every Child" initiative which aims to provide secondhand cameras for our partner NGOs to use in their youth programming.Mentorship Program
40% of the funds raised from each Mentorship program goes towards sourcing Mentorship requirements (mentor, accommodation, logistics, travel, insurance.)Administration
35% of the funding raised from each Mentorship program goes towards administration and supporting NGO Photographers Alliance members.What does the cost include?
The cost for the Mentorship program includes accommodation for the length of the program as well as a complete itinerary comprising of a combination of photography workshops, private 1 on 1 feedback sessions with your mentor, activities carried out in conjunction with the NGO as well as the support and guidance of an experienced photography mentor who will be on hand for the full length of the program. During the days in which participants are involved in NGO activities, participants will be hosted by GFG in basic shared accommodation. Some meals will be provided on-site at the various volunteer sites. In addition, meals can be purchased at various stores, food outlets and restaurants at each of the locations.
The cost of the Mentorship program do not include costs for airfare, visas (if required), transport between the airport and hotel, travel and health insurance, personal expenses and spending money, police certificate, tips for the mentor or guides, and/or any other non-itinerary related item. Please note: The cost for the local flights as indicated in the itinerary are included as part of the costs of this Mentorship program.
At the completion of the Mentorship program, participants should have sufficient material to begin putting together a portfolio of NGO-related photography. In addition, participants may be invited to feature their work in the pages of our affiliated humanitarian publication The Travellist magazine.
When travelling in an African country, it is important to keep an open mind and allow yourself to enjoy the experience and not become frustrated simply because things may be done in a way that is different to what you are used to. Amenities that you may be used to back home may not necessarily be available. Respect the local way of life. Go with an open and understanding attitude. And above all, be patient.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Please note that this may be subject to changes as required by the needs and criteria of the partner NGO and thus should only be used as a guide. In addition, please note a police certificate is recommended when working with NGOs; a police certificate can be obtained from your local police agency and is worthwhile in obtaining should you plan on working in the NGO field.
Sunday Day 1, 2017
Greater Accra Region
Participants arrive in Ghana (via Kotoka International Airport) and make their own way to the hotel in Accra for an overnight stay. Accra is a bustling urban city of over 2 million inhabitants and considered the commercial and economic hub of Ghana, with modern infrastructure, restaurants, cafés and shopping centers. It is also where the government's administrative offices are located.
The Mentor will be present at the hotel to greet participants.
A group dinner in the evening for participants to introduce themselves and get to know one another.
Briefing to be given by the Mentor.
Monday Day 2, 2017
Western Region
Morning
Participants will travel with the Mentor to Agona, located in the Western Region, in a private bus. The journey will take approximately 2.5 hours. Upon arrival at Agona, a meet and greet with the staff of GRIKOB Foundation Ghana.
Afternoon
Health screening exercise for women in the area of breast screening, eye screening and basic health vitals.
Presentation on nutrition by a dietitian followed by a second presentation from a representative from the Narcotic Control Board of Ghana on drug and substance abuse; and measures to rehabilitate addicts. The Narcotic Control Board of Ghana as well as Phinas Pharmaceuticals will be key partners in this screening exercise among other local health professionals.
Evening
Individual 1-on-1 portfolio session with the Mentor discussing participant’s current body of work as well as participant’s expectations and goals.
Tuesday Day 3, 2017
Central Region
Morning
Photography workshop for the participants with the Mentor.
Afternoon
Travel to Gomoa East District, one of the 17 districts in the Central Region of Ghana, to meet women who are taking part in a micro-enterprise project in which paper and plastic wastes are used to produce useful products such as ear rings, beads, jewellery and other artefacts.
Videography project - working with the local women and assessing the challenges women face in the quest to live a meaningful and resourceful life.
Evening
Assessment of the videography project and team feedback session.
Wednesday Day 4, 2017
Eastern Region
Morning
Photography workshop for the participants with the Mentor.
Afternoon
Travel to the Eastern Region to participate in the Smell Well Campaign held at Krobo Girls Senior High School. This program aims to educate young girls of school age on the necessity of personal hygiene as well as to provide them with important information about reproductive health issues. The forum will also be used to sensitize them on the need to make education a priority. Resource members will take turns to educate the young girls on the proposed topics.
Evening
Free time. Participants may choose to work on their portfolio or explore more of the local community.
Thursday Day 5, 2017
Greater Accra Region
Morning
Photography workshop for the participants with the Mentor.
Afternoon
Informal capacity building workshops for young adults with incomplete schooling - either through dropping out, failure or inaccessibility. These young adults are often from marginalized groups who do not have any other hope to resuscitate their life. A fraction of these committed women will be enrolled into the vocational training scheme run by GRIKOB Foundation after this program with the aim that others will follow suit. The program will also talk about domestic violence against women, how to recognise it and how to rise above it.
Evening
Free time. Participants may choose to work on their portfolio or explore the capital city, Accra.
Friday Day 6, 2017
Upper East Region
Morning
Travel to the airport. The participants will fly with the Mentor to the Upper East Region.
Afternoon
Cultural sightseeing to visit a number of historical sites - a visit to the Paga Crocodile Pond, a natural crocodile reserve, as well as the ancient slave camp of Paga Nania, which was a transit point for slaves during the era of the slave trade, will take place on this afternoon.
Evening
Overnight stay in the Upper East Region.
Saturday Day 7, 2017
Upper East Region
Morning
Travel to the Tongo Hills, an incredibly beautiful and well preserved stone settlement.
An outdoor nature photography class will take place allowing participants to learn photography skills for the external environment whilst visiting the Hills.
Afternoon
Cultural sightseeing - participants will travel to the scenic village of Sirigu famous for its traditional architecture and wall paintings. The inhabitants of Sirigu are mostly farmers but years of intensive farming and poor rainfall have severely degraded the land, resulting in poor revenues from what had previously been a major source of income. The traditional art forms of basketry, pottery, and handicrafts created by the women of Sirigu have thus become increasingly important to sustain the families that live in this area.
Evening
Overnight stay in the Upper East Region.
Final group dinner for participants with the Mentor. Debriefing to be given by the Mentor.
Participants to finalise their portfolio ready for discussion during their private 1 on 1 feedback session with the Mentor the following day.
Sunday Day 8, 2017
Greater Accra Region
Morning
Final individual one-on-one feedback session with the Mentor covering the work carried out over the course of the program.
Afternoon
Travel to the airport to return to the capital city, Accra.
End of program – participants to fly out or continue travelling in Accra.
Additional Information
All participants to the Mentorship program must read and agree to the Mentorship Terms & Conditions before participating in the program.
Please note that all costs are in AUD (Australian Dollars) unless stated otherwise. Our recommended payment method is via Transferwise as this enables you to pay in your own currency using the mid-market rate, which is the real exchange rate and is significantly higher than those used by banks and/or by your credit and debit card providers. Please proceed to the Shopping Cart page for more information about this payment method (found under direct bank transfer option.)
If you have any questions in regards to the Mentorship program, we welcome your inquiries. Please use the contact form below to reach us and we will endeavour to return your inquiry as soon as possible.
GRIKOB Foundation Ghana
Off Apowa-Agona
Nkwanta Highway
Ahanta West
Western Region, Ghana
