COMMUNITY AID INTERNATIONAL (CAIN): is a local registered non profit non governmental organization.
CAIN: is based in the Volta Region of Ghana.
CAIN: believes that young people have essential qualities to bring to the fight against poverty.
We believe that every young person has the creativity, passion and determination to change the community around them.
And we believe that by supporting education and encouraging entrepreneurship, we can empower young people to realize their full potential.
That’s why we’re here. We want to unlock the potential of young people and work towards a vision of a world where every young person can make a difference.
OUR AIM:
Is to works with women and children to help them identify and resolve their own problems. Our approach assists whole communities develop the capacity to overcome the effects of poverty and create a new future. We believe that when the poor themselves are the initiators in resolving the problems of poverty, the results are sustainable and they have the tools necessary to succeed far into the future.
OUR VISION:
Is to grow into a well-organized and reputable organization playing leading roles nationally and internationally in building a secure future for communities through socio-economic empowerment
To improve the quality of life for all people, to build hope, to advance human rights, to strengthen the fabric of community, and to strengthen democratic society. We support sustainable and regenerative programs that have measurable outcomes and replicable models with beneficial results. We work to reduce poverty by promoting economic development and promoting changes in social and economic systems that help create environments for growth.
Supporting communities to run low cost, sustainable, replicable projects.
OUR KEY AREAS OF FOCUS:
Child Development
Orphans and Vulnerable Children
Education and Literacy
Youth Development
Foster Care
Health and Environment:
Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture Clean water and Sanitation
Maternal and Child Health
Shelter/Housing
Economic Development:
Financial Service and Enterprise Dev.
Women Empowerment
Maternal and Child Health
Shelter/Housing
Economic Development:
Financial Service and Enterprise Dev.
Women Empowerment
Child Development
Our commitment to child development is deep and focused. We will support programs that enhance and promote the physical, mental and emotional development of children and teenagers - to help them reach their full potential.
We work with partners to address specific sectors within Child Development:
Orphans and Vulnerable Children
Community Aid International(CAIN), we are profoundly impacted by the plight of orphans and vulnerable children throughout the world, and we are working in rural communities to address this growing crisis. According to conservative estimates, the number of children orphaned by AIDS may exceed 20 million by 2010.
Children orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS are likely to suffer from poor nutrition, poor health, low school attendance, and emotional difficulties. They also face the added burden of stigma and discrimination. Older children struggle to care for younger siblings and chronically ill family members, while living in financially stretched households. Many engage in high-risk behaviors to support themselves and their families.
CAIN: recognizes that the impact of HIV/AIDS on children and their families is not a simple problem with an easy solution. The situation is complex, interrelated on all levels of life, and cuts across all sectors of development.
In response, we work with organizational partners to:
Provide nutrition, education and clothing to orphans and vulnerable children
Design income-generating activities that support and sustain community-based care
Strengthen the care and coping strategies of families and communities
Engage children and youth as active participants in programs that address their needs.
Children orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS are likely to suffer from poor nutrition, poor health, low school attendance, and emotional difficulties. They also face the added burden of stigma and discrimination. Older children struggle to care for younger siblings and chronically ill family members, while living in financially stretched households. Many engage in high-risk behaviors to support themselves and their families.
CAIN: recognizes that the impact of HIV/AIDS on children and their families is not a simple problem with an easy solution. The situation is complex, interrelated on all levels of life, and cuts across all sectors of development.
In response, we work with organizational partners to:
Provide nutrition, education and clothing to orphans and vulnerable children
Design income-generating activities that support and sustain community-based care
Strengthen the care and coping strategies of families and communities
Engage children and youth as active participants in programs that address their needs.
Education and Literacy
We believe that a quality education is essential for us to make effective choices about our own lives. It is critically important in our personal relationships and in finding productive ways to achieve financial independence.
CAIN will work with partners to support various programs in the field of education - some with an emphasis on providing access to education, others promoting literacy from preschool age to adulthood. We also support programs that help teachers become better educators, who will inspire a lifelong love of learning.
In particular, we seek to:
Increase the number of children who receive a first-rate education
Improve the quality of education
Promote the professional development of teachers
Increase opportunities for children to attend college
Expand teacher resources and knowledge about solid literacy curriculum
Strengthen the capacity of the adult learning community.
Youth Development:
In particular, we support project that:
create healthy social settings for youth, including recreation centers and job training programs
Promote greater interaction and involvement with parents, and with adult or peer mentors
Stress the importance of knowing how, when and where adolescents interact with their families, peers and unrelated adults in home, employment, recreational and educational settings
Integrate youth development with community-based development
Foster Care
CAIN: acknowledges that foster families, as well as the institutions created to support foster children and those who care for them, make an incredible difference in the world.
Family foster care and treatment foster care are designed to be temporary placements for children when their parents cannot care for them. Foster parents come from all walks of life, and families with different abilities and strengths are needed to care for the variety of children who enter the system.
We are specifically interested in supporting the expansion of effective services for foster children in communities. In particular, we support programs that:
Train and encourage individuals interested in becoming a foster parent
Increase the number and quality of respite caregivers available to periodically relieve foster parents
Promote and encourage the adoption of children who need permanent placement
Address the unique educational challenges of children within the foster care system
Address the specific needs of youth who are 'aging out' of the system.
Health and Environment:
CAIN: supports programs that provide training, education and research in a variety of health care areas. Our organizational partners understand that prevention, treatment and care, along with proper nutrition, safe water and good sanitation, are all vital for maintaining good health.
- Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture:
- CAIN: envisions a world free from hunger. Food security exists when people have nutritious food available to them at all times. This means they have a stable food supply without fluctuations or shortages from season to season or year to year. It also means that food is affordable and of adequate quality. Environmental problems, such as climate change and land degradation, can and do threaten food security.
Sustainable agriculture and food security are inextricably linked. Agriculture is sustainable when a farm is able to produce food indefinitely, without causing irreversible damage to its soil, water supply and environment.
CAIN: continues to develop ideas that aid the production and delivery of a safe, steady and wholesome food supply to those in need. We also provide financial assistance to our local food pantries and food banks.
In particular, CAIN forms partnerships with organizations that:
Promote sustainable agricultural practices, including soil and water management
Encourage farmer-to-farmer cooperation
Improve market access for smallholder farmers
Strengthen community-based solutions for redressing poverty and hunger
Link nutritional and agricultural interventions and research
Increase agricultural productivity through better access to seeds and fertilizers, and improved market conditions and trade networks.
Clean Water and Sanitation:
Worldwide, more than one billion people lack access to clean drinking water. Many more are in need of basic sanitation facilities, including latrines. Young children are particularly vulnerable to the ill effects of unsafe water, insufficient quantities of water, and poor sanitation and hygiene. Without clean water and sanitation, sustainable development is impossible.
CAIN; water and sanitation focus is aligned with the Millennium Development Goals. These goals seek to:
Supply people with a sustainable source of clean drinking water
Help families gain access to basic sanitation facilities, such as latrines
Equip schools with sanitation and hand-washing facilities
In addition to supporting these goals, CAIN seeks partnerships to:
Make potable water available for safe consumption
Provide access to water and appropriate technology for smallholder farmers, family livestock and agricultural purposes
Maternal and Child Health:
According to UNICEF, every minute of every day, 20 children die somewhere in the world. Two-thirds of these deaths could be prevented by basic and inexpensive measures like vaccines. Children die as a result of growing inequities in the provision of essential health services - in short, a "worldwide public health disaster."
At the same time, many of the modest gains in women's health realized in recent decades are now threatened or have been reversed due to war, economic instability and AIDS. The illness or death of a woman has serious and far-reaching consequences for the health of her children, family and community.
CAIN: supports the concept of "Healthy Women, Healthy World." Women play a unique role in maintaining the health and well-being of their families and communities. The foundation will work with partners to provide cost-effective and preventive measures that improve maternal and child health.
Shelter / Housing:
Worldwide, nearly one billion people live in urban slums, and that figure is expected to double by 2030.
Housing problems have far-reaching consequences. The high cost of housing leaves low-income families little money for other basic necessities like food, clothing or health care. Substandard housing can endanger the health and safety of its occupants, erode their hope and self-worth, and impair their children's ability to succeed in school. Many organizations, community groups and others have joined together to tackle this significant social problem - decent housing for all.
In response, CAIN will partner with organizations that provide high-quality, secure shelter to families in need.
Economic Development:
Community Aid International(CAIN) partners with organizations to create sustainable livelihoods in distressed communities. We are especially interested in financial services and enterprise development, including improved access to business capital for small and medium-sized entrepreneurs.
- Financial Services and Enterprise Development:
CAIN partners with lending organizations whose purpose is to help people work their own way up the economic ladder, with dignity and pride. By having access to capital, people can grow their own businesses. They can become financially able to afford basics like running water, better health care, more nutritious food, and access to education for their children.
In a world where three billion people live on less than $2 a day, it is simply not enough to help 1,000 or even 100,000 individuals. Our goal is to support organizations that together have the capacity to bring basic financial services to tens of millions of people - enough to truly change the world!
We work with organizations that have the know-how and capacity to:
Apply business solutions to development challenges
Provide cost-effective and appropriate financial services to the poor
Help small-scale producers increase their incomes and build sustainable livelihoods
Improve production processes and links to markets
Develop distribution networks to reach disadvantaged consumers with affordable products
Identify ways to support inclusive economic systems in which the poor can participate and move up the economic ladder.
Developing and sharing methods of working with young people.
Acting as an advocate for the rights of disadvantaged women.
Raising funds to support development project in communities.
Acting as an advocate for the rights of disadvantaged women.
Raising funds to support development project in communities.
We use a development process that intimately involves the poor themselves in their own development. We call it the Participation Human Development Process, is a participatory, non-violent process of problem solving, consciousness-raising and empowering the poor. Our approach mobilizes people to act and solve their problems. It has proven to be an effective method of resolving problems or issues such as Poor Community Health, Clean Water Supplies, food security, inadequate sanitation, absence of schools for children, and the lack of basic public services. This approach of working with people from poor communities equips them with the necessary skills, knowledge and appropriate values and attitudes to act and manage their own development.
We are committed to achieving long term change and delivering real impact.
We will:
1. Empower young people to make informed decisions about their sexual behavior and to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS and TB infection.
2. Build schools to assist thousands of children and young people to gain access to quality education.
3. Provide life skills training for women so that they can cope with the challenges of every day life, make informed choices and participate in the development of their communities.
4. Help provide vocational training for young people and help them set up and run their own small businesses.
We are committed to achieving long term change and delivering real impact.
We will:
1. Empower young people to make informed decisions about their sexual behavior and to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS and TB infection.
2. Build schools to assist thousands of children and young people to gain access to quality education.
3. Provide life skills training for women so that they can cope with the challenges of every day life, make informed choices and participate in the development of their communities.
4. Help provide vocational training for young people and help them set up and run their own small businesses.
5. Development and Training of women (both abled and disabled) to Acquire Vocational Skills To become self-Reliant, Self Sufficient and self-Employed in order to Attain Economic Autonomy
making this happen, the hopes and futures of a vital, new generation can be freed.
making this happen, the hopes and futures of a vital, new generation can be freed.
CAIN DAY CARE CENTER.
BUILD A SCHOOL:
Improving access to quality education.
BUILD A BUSINESS:
improving access to quality, vocational and business skills training. 69% of the active female workforce in Kenya is unemployed and dependent on subsistence farming. A hand-to-mouth existence leaves them and their children prone to chronic poverty
BUILD A FARM:
AGRICULTURE/FARM; teaching local farmers on modernize/technological farm practice to increase their out put, preparing organic manure, helping on farm to harvest or planting of crops, fruits, vegetables and more, help in farm management etc. Improving incomes and the quality of life for young farmers. We works with families to ensure good crop yield, improved techniques and a fair price at local markets.
Issues we cover in all our projects include:
LIFE SKILLS:
Building the skills of young people to make safe, positive choices and to participate in the development of their communities.
HIV/AIDS:
Enabling young people to make informed decisions around reproductive health HIV/AIDS and TB infection.
There are over 7,000 new HIV infections per day amongst 15 to 20 year olds in sub-Saharan Africa. Many don’t understand how it is spread and believe there is no way to protect themselves from the virus.
80% of Africans live in rural communities. 70% of these are young people, most of who will not complete primary school and can expect to earn less than $2 a day in later life.
HIV/AIDS have ravaged families, leaving thousands of children orphaned at a young age. Many young people are ‘written off’ before their lives have properly started.
We do this by:
Supporting communities to run low-cost, sustainable and replicable projects. This means that our projects continue to run long after we’ve set them up.
We develop our projects with young people – we discuss the issues, we help them develop their ideas and they make it happen.
We make sure young voices are heard: we campaign, advocate and encourage young people to take on leadership roles in their communities.
CAIN- VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME
Unlike a typical volunteer organization, CAIN is a registered non-profit community based organization, which plans and implements various development projects in underserved communities in Ghana especially in the Volta Region.
CAIN- Volunteer opportunities give volunteers from all over the World the unique opportunity to participate in community development projects, have insights about rural communities and be part of the change process. Our volunteer programme focus on the following areas:
Volunteer in Ghana
Help by participating in charity work abroad through any of our summer volunteer programs for individuals, groups, or families:
Computer and ICT Volunteers
Volunteer for computer and IT work for under-privileged people in rural communities.
Family Volunteer Holidays
Volunteer and turn outreach activities into family time together. Families on vacation abroad experience exciting cultures together.
Farm Land Agric Volunteers
Teaching local farmers volunteer also help plant, harvest, and handle various farm produce such as maize, yams, plantains, and other vegetables.
Medical Students and Healthcare
Volunteer as a medical student, doctor, or nurse to assist hospitals and clinics in Ghana.
HIV/AIDS Education
Volunteer for opportunities in community HIV/AIDS education in Ghana.
Sports Coaching and Fitness
Volunteer to coach sports and teach fitness education to communities and schools in Ghana
Construction Work
Volunteer to help construct schools, clinics, washrooms, and other buildings at communities in Ghana.
Teaching in Rural Schools
Volunteer abroad to teach English, mathematics, or science at community schools in Ghana.
Administrative Work,
Business Development,
Project Management,
Vocational Skills training
Women Empowerment
Other Opportunities in GhanaWhether you're looking for the experience of charity work abroad, summer volunteer work, a career break, or just a wonderful and meaningful travel experience, Community Aid International (CAIN) offers a variety of programs and opportunities in Ghana.
Visit Ghana
In addition to summer volunteer opportunities, we offer exciting tours and vacation adventures that will connect you with the gorgeous landscapes and delightful culture of Ghana.
Learn About Ghana
If you have an interest in African drumming, dancing, or arts, or if just want to know more about Ghanaian culture, Community Aid International (CAIN) can assist you. We will help you meet local community members and learn these arts, either as part of your volunteering or during your vacation adventure.
With CAIN you don’t just volunteer, but you bring hope and development to the community.
One of the means of traveling in the communitiesHIV/AIDS AWARENESS OUTREACH
Spend time education communities and young people on HIV/AIDS and TB prevention. Visit schools and talk to students about good lifestyles.
You will meet local people in communities and villages to sensitize them on the disease. Assist in local workshops, awareness seminars and support sessions. No Special skills required!
Volunteers who have knowledge on HIV/AIDS and TB are highly encouraged to apply. However all volunteers for this program will still receive some training before they begin work.
SOCCER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM:
This program provide opportunities for young people of the Volta Region to participate in the game of soccer while being guided by principles centered on good sportsmanship, player development, peace building, community participation and role modeling. You could teach and coach young people aged from 9-18 in bother soccer and English. Working along side a physical education instructor or coach will give you the opportunity to assist coaching sessions and provide Basic English lessons.Although no actual qualifications are required, an all round interest in and knowledge of soccer would naturally be useful. Good fitness and lots of enthusiasm are both required to keep up and encourage the kids.
Volunteers applying for this program are highly encouraged to bring along their own sports gear and if possible collect some soccer gear and equipment for the program.
CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION WORK CAMPS: Most volunteers see this Work Camp as ad adventure. There is lots of fun working with local people on renovation and building projects such as schools, libraries, market places, health centre’s and many more. Participating in this project is challenging, you need a lot of energy to pond a nail, carry mortar, swing paint brushes, plastering buildings, land scalping, carrying water and mixing mortar.
No specific construction skills are needed, but volunteers with knowledge in building plans and those who enjoy hard work are needed. Also volunteers applying for this program must be in good and have ability to do hard work. CULTURE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS; to promote cultures of different nations, work & travels, and for world peace. Our cultural troops can be invited/perform for ceremonies, fundraising programs, competitions etc. Learn Ghanaian/African dance, drumming, craft, art, in a home stays, camping system etc. Groups or individuals are welcome to our programs.
TREE PLANTING/ENVIRONMENT; this is to help make Ghana green most specially degradable areas/deforestation as, water projects, waste management, better community environmental education, disaster management and rescue etc.
PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION: Volunteers will be provided program information including packing list and instructions on health related issues and other detailed information on pertinent issues that will concern volunteers such as cultural shocks, safety, and many others which prepares you towards your departure.
AIRPORT PICK UP AND DEPARTURE: Upon arrival, CAIN staff will be at the airport to pick up volunteers. Volunteers must first send us their flight information before we can arrange a pick up. Notice of flight cancellations must be communicated to us promptly. Airport drop off is arranged for volunteers departing from project site only. Volunteers who decide to in country travel on their own will have to arrange their own transport to the airport.
FIST NIGHT BED: Volunteers will spend the first night in Accra the capital of Ghana, before proceeding to the program office the next day. Volunteers that arrive in the morning or afternoon will be transported straight to the program office. (A journey of 1 and half hours)
ORIENTATION AND TRAINING: Two day’s orientation about the local culture, history, religion and other issues relating to the region and Ghana as whole will be organized. Practical language for interaction with local people and job training will be provided.
TRANSPORTATION TO PLACEMENT: Volunteers will be traveling with CAIN staff with car, cab, Taxi, tro-tro (mini van) or bus to project destinations.
ACCOMMODATION: We provide Three of accommodation for volunteers. 1. Host Family 2. CAIN volunteer bungalow. 3. On-site Accommodation.
Accommodation is provided for all programs,
FOOD: In most cases volunteer’s meals are prepared and served by host family or volunteer
SAFETY: Our volunteer’s well being while volunteering with us is our priority. We make sure your trip is safe and staff provides the needed support you require at all times.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
CAIN: Volunteer placements are influenced by your skills, preferences and project availability. Projects are very flexible so it’s all about using your skills and initiative where you can. Majority of Volunteers are placed in the Volta Region of Ghana, although some placements also exist in other parts of Ghana. There is often the possibility of working along side other local or foreign volunteers.
ORIENTATION: Upon your arrival in Ghana, Volunteers participate in an orientation program for two days to acquaint themselves with Ghanaian lifestyle. The orientation will cover session on culture, customs, language, beliefs, practices, history and background of area and area tour.
ACCOMMODATION: Accommodation is included in the program during your placement. Participants stay with carefully selected and screened host families. Period of participation is for short and medium term basis. Living in a rural village or small town, you will live with carefully selected host family
CAIN volunteer home stay /bungalow
Enjoy local food prepared by host family or volunteer bungalow cooks and interacts with local community.
PROCESS
Send E-mail to Volunteer COORDINATOR . Upon receipt your E-mail, we will assess your suitability for the program. If you are successful we will then send you a letter of acceptance. Once you have read through the acceptance letter and have all your questions and concerns addressed, the process begins!
Purchase your ticket and send us a photocopy or scanned copy with your itinerary to enable us arrange your airport pick up and a nights hotel reservation for you in Accra. You will be arriving in Ghana at the KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. It is important you provide accurate itinerary information without which we are unable to pick you up. Apply now.
For information on tourist attraction in the VOLTA REGION
PROJECT SUPPORT ANNOUNCEMENTS :2016
Funds needed to construct rural school building project,
Hospitals and Clinic need medical equipment,
Computers needed for computer literacy project
Educational Materials needed for rural schools and orphanages,
Funds needed to support youth in agriculture project,
CONTACT US:
COMMUNITY AID INTERNATIONAL (CAIN)
P.M.B
ACCRA.
COMMUNITY AID INTERNATIONAL (CAIN)
HOHOE, V/R GHANA.
HOHOE, V/R GHANA.
E-MAIL:
infocain@yahoo.com
TO VOLUNTEER
cainvolu@hotmail.com
Skype: cainghana1
