Africa » Ghana + Tanzania: The Africa Initiative

Ghana + Tanzania: The Africa Initiative ™
These programs range from four to six weeks and represent the pinnacle of the GLA experience. These in-depth programs give students the opportunity to experience two different countries. Staff in each country engage students in discussion to link common themes woven throughout the program. Through these comparisons, students can contextualize the issues and attributes of a particular region versus simply visiting one country.

Absorb its elaborate history and play your own part in ensuring a bright future for Africa

Highlights

Inspire a generation of African children
Hike to the base of Mount Kilimanjaro
Confront history at the slave forts
Set out on an African safari
Meet instrumental women’s groups
Help refurbish rural schools

Overview

The African continent is well known for its vastness and its multitude of cultures, sights and sounds. To some, it may seem too vast and diverse to tackle. But we know it isn’t. You’ll hone in on two key areas – Ghana and Tanzania – where you’ll work alongside dynamic leaders who are already working to create positive change in their communities. Along the way you’ll soak up two vibrant and distinct cultures, engage in meaningful volunteer work and cultivate yourself as a citizen of the planet.

Watch video: Overview of the Ghana part of the program
Watch video: Overview of the Tanzania part of the program

Community Service

In both Ghana and Tanzania you’ll volunteer to refurbish rural schools and also spend time in classrooms teaching English or tutoring students on other subjects. We’ll also spend time in orphanages and other youth programs created to serve the needs of the community. You may find yourself teaching under a tree, coaching soccer in an abandoned field, or making bricks to build a classroom.

Watch video: GLA Alum Lisa W. shares with you her experience teaching orphans in Africa

Hands-On Learning

You’ll participate in a wide variety of cultural activities that will expose you to traditional arts, crafts, music, and dance in these African countries. You’ll make batik, and learn African percussion and local dance moves. You’ll also get a crash course in Swahili, widely spoken in Tanzania and Ewe, a local tribal language of Ghana. In addition to the cultural workshops, you’ll meet with grassroots leaders, village elders, tribal chiefs, and inspirational community activists striving to better their communities.

Adventure

In Ghana and Tanzania, our adventures will encompass sites of natural and historic significance. You’ll traverse the Savannah scouting for game on an authentic African safari, play at the foot of the tallest waterfall in West Africa, visit a monkey sanctuary and hike the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro. We’ll also confront history at the slave forts in Ghana and visit many bustling, colorful outdoor markets.

Lodging

In both Ghana and Tanzania our Home Base is a large African compound where students and staff live together in gender-segregated rooms. Facilities are simple, clean and secure. Each room has a set of bunk beds and a private bathroom. Food consists of African staples such as ugali, fufu, plantains and beans.