 
The provision of libraries and books, have a profoundly positive impact on the surrounding communities. Such projects not only cater for the local thirst for knowledge but act as a conduit for sustainable development and the eradication of poverty. In December of 2009 we were approached by Thrive Africa, a small grassroots charity run as we are; entirely by volunteers. As their ethos and objectives were so close to ours we decided to work together on a school project for Ghana. In e arly 2010 we combined our resources to build 6 libraries in the Ashanti region of Northern Ghana. The collection of books and educational resources from around Exeter and the building of shelves in rural schools can be seen in this gallery.
This year we hope to send twice as many books and help build and furnish
10 libraries again around Northern Ghana. As a Book-Cycle volunteer you will be expected to fundraise the same amount as the Thrive Africa volunteers and will apply through them, but your remit will be focused more on the provision of libraries from the bricks and mortar to the construction of shelves and the sorting of books for each school. Via Thrive Africa, voluntary positions are also available all year round to teach; to teach you must demonstrate the ability to work with children of all ages and demographics. No set qualifications are needed and each candidate is assessed on their current skills and previous experience. Thrive Africa have 9 ongoing projects in the region, their scope being much wider, they accept volunteers to help with water and sanitation, health and sports. See their website for details. As Thrive Africa deal with the African logistics of the project, Book-Cycle volunteers will be afforded the same opportunities and obligations as those of Thrive Africa. Volunteer Criteria & Accommodation. Volunteer Criteria We ask that volunteers work 5 days a week on their chosen projects,
for around 6-9 hours each day. We ask you to volunteer for a minimum period of 1 month and preferably (but not necessary) if you are teaching to volunteer for 1 term, this guarantees a more effective service of teaching and education to the children. | Term Dates: Term 1: 1st week of September – 2nd week of December
Term 2 :1st week of January – 1st week of April
Term 3 : 3rd week of April – 1st week of August |
Accommodation Volunteers will stay in the Thrive Africa project house, a house that can sleep up to 20 volunteers at one time,
you will share a room with a maximum of 4 other volunteers. The house has water and electricity, safe storage and 2 shared bathroom facilities; bedding is provided. Dates, Locations & Project fees. Volunteers are needed all year round, we do ask you stay for a minimum of 1 month
and preferably if teaching a full school term. Arriving in Accra you will travel to Kumasi, from there you will travel to the project house just on the outskirts of Kumasi. Each day you will travel from the project house to the individual projects. Project fees We ask volunteers to fundraise the following amount towards project fees; we’ll also be here to help anyway we can. Please contact us for the latest volunteer fees. 
| As a general outline your volunteering fee is split as below: 40% Towards Food & Accommodation.
10% Towards Travel.
40% Towards Projects.
10% Towards Thrive Africa’s operating. | What’s included: • Accommodation
• Food (3 Meals a day)
• All project materials
• Safe drinking water
• Met at Airport
• All placement travel
• Pre-departure training & support
• In country Thrive Africa representatives
• 24-hr emergency Support What’s not included: 
• Flights (£450-£550 estimate)
• Insurance (£20-£40 estimate)
• Cost of visa (£30) Tourist Opportunities | Ghana is a fantastic place to Travel full of national parks, castles and varied cultural attractions. If you are wishing to travel then please outline this in your application form as well as mentioning for what length you wish to travel. We aim to meet all travel requirements from our volunteers and also offer them the ability to leave excess baggage etc. in the project base house while they travel. | Safety | Ghana is a safe country and you will constantly be in the vicinity of a Book-Cycle or Thrive Africa representative. Safe boxes are available free of charge for the duration of your time on project. Your personal safety is important to us and we will never put you in any situation which could cause you any type of harm. | Why volunteer with Book-Cycle & Thrive Africa? 
By volunteering you are enabling us to carry out the work we do and helping us expand our projects. We are a not-for-profit organisation which is offering needed development assistance to rural communities across Africa. We do such great work and the reward of working with us and the people of Ghana will be one
rarely experienced in everyday life. If you want to be involved with active projects, make a difference and see the result of your hard work
then volunteer with Thrive Africa & Book-Cycle
Application. To apply now please click here. Terms & Conditions.
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