Daddy's Modern Academy

Introduction

In October 2006, Daddy’s Modern Academy Community Primary School opened its doors and began operating. There are currently 5 class levels from KG to Standard 2, which are divided into three rooms. The children range in age from 2 to 9 years. They come from different tribes, speak different mother tongues, and practice different religions.

Project Manager

The founder and proprietors of Daddy’s Modern Academy are The Major (David Weir) and his wife Isebelle. They are busy grandparents whose extended family stay in the same compound as the school.

Educational Realities in Ghana

Your first day at the school will open your eyes to the shortfalls of education in post-colonial Ghana. There is little equipment besides desks and chairs. From an early age children are taught to be obedient and never to challenge people older than them. Offering respect to elders is a crucuial part of socialisation.

Memorizing and repetition are the main teaching methods. Most students are shy in school because they don’t want to give the wrong answer.

Everyone can learn from examples of great classroom management, discipline, and teaching methods.

Who do we need?

• Patient and caring volunteers- both male & female.

• Experience working in early childhood  education is desired but not required (if you do not have experience we recommend that you volunteer at or visit a nursery school within your home country before coming to the project).

• Anyone who is broadminded and ready to live in an urban setting, the capital city of a developing country.

• Be prepared to be the only volunteer at the project.

• Both long and short term volunteers are welcomed.

• Qualified teachers are especially encouraged!!

Volunteers are encouraged to start their own initiatives and be involved in sustaining the project once they have finished volunteering. We welcome your participation and ideas!

Environment

The school is located in the Amasaman District - on the outskirts of Accra – the capital city. It is just recently that the development of this area has begun - it is vast and spacious with an array of houses in various stages of construction. The neighbourhood is quiet and peaceful, but the busy road leading to Accra is just a stroll away.

Daddy’s Modern Academy is located close to other Kids World Wide projects – 5 minutes from Cosmic Academy and a short trip to Golden Era, Green Pastures and Lotus Children’s Centre.

Accomodation

Your Job

You'll teach at the school, in coordination with the local teachers. However that being said, volunteers should plan to teach, assess, and evaluate on their own with very little guidance. A word of warning: the school system is absolutely NOTHING like education in most of Western Europe or North America. Make sure to learn lots of nursery songs and childrens games before you come.

You are encouraged to give your input and try (or share) new teaching techniques. The children take some time to get used to each volunteer’s unique style, but the results you will see are wonderful!

You will be in much demand and whatever you put your mind to will be an inspiration for the children.

On Your Own Time
Some children stay until 7pm, when thier parents finish from work. If volunteers are interested in sports (especially football/soccer) they can start games near the house at a nearby field. You can help the ids with their reading and homework, teach them games, dance - whatever!

On weekends and holidays, it is great to travel around Accra. The beaches of the Atlantic coast are popular with visitors and Ghanaians alike. Kokrobite, just minutes from Daddy's, is particularly popular at weekends.

Among the highlights of Accra are the National Museum, with its splendid display of exhibits that reflect the heritage of Ghana from prehistoric times to modern times; the National Theatre with its distinctive modern architecture, the Centre for National Cultural, where you can pick up cultural pieces and musical imnstruments, Independence Square, the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum; the fishing port at James Town and Makola Market.

Volunteer Vacancies

2 volunteers at any one time. Below is our booking calendar, which is updated in real time: