PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Ryvanz-Mia is a home located in Kpando Village, Volta Region, Ghana, and is open to children from all communities regardless of ethnic background, faith, gender, and culture. Their motto is “Liability today, asset tomorrow”.

Ryvanz-Mia began in August 2006, when Mrs. Regina Esime Djentuh (aka Mama Esi) began caring for the orphaned children of Kpando Village. Having lost her own father at a young age, and her own children having lost their father, Mama Esi decided to offer care for the orphaned children of Kpando and its surrounding area.

With limited funds, Mama Esi and her children converted their home into an open space to accommodate orphaned children. Relying on her personal funds and selling homemade pastries, Mama Esi was able to expand the orphanage and take in more children. Today, she has ten children under her parental care, ranging in age from 4-14.

Future Plans

To address the growing needs in Kpando, the organization is planning to acquire land for a new orphanage, which can accommodate many more children.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT RYVANZ-MIA

Education/Children:

The following describes the typical schedule for a volunteer.

Monday through Friday:

• In the morning, help dress and feed the children.
• During the day, teach at the nearby Delta Preparatory School which many of the orphans attend, or help care for the younger children and do household chores.
• In the evening, play games or read with the children, and help the older ones with their homework.

Weekends:

Volunteers are free to travel on the weekends, or remain at the orphanage and spend time with the children.

• Saturdays are spent doing chores. If everything is completed, the children are rewarded with a movie on Saturday nights.
• Sundays, volunteers are welcome to attend church with the children.

School Holidays:

When school is out of session, volunteers are invited to coordinate summer camp programs.

ACCOMMODATIONS AT RYVANZ-MIA

Housing

Volunteers are hosted on the second floor of the Ryvanz-Mia Orphanage. (The orphans are not allowed on this floor.) There are five double-occupancy bedrooms with locks on all doors and mosquito nets on all beds.

At the end of the hall is a bathroom, which is only used by volunteers. The bathroom contains an indoor flush toilet and bathtub shower. Should there be a lack of water pressure, a reservoir of water and bucket are available in the bathroom for force flushing the toilet and bucket bathing in the shower.

Meals

All meals are prepared on-site during the three scheduled meal times. For volunteers who are teaching at the Delta Preparatory School, a bag lunch can be prepared and taken in the morning.

Volunteers who have special dietary needs or food allergies should note their needs on their volunteer application so Village Volunteers can notify the Ryvanz-Mia staff in advance.

Drinking Water

Purified drinking water is provided for volunteers.

Electricity

There is electricity; however, there are frequent power cuts. Volunteers are recommended to bring flashlights, candles and matches.

Internet Access

The nearest internet café is approximately a 15-minute walk from the orphanage.

Laundry

For $30 USD per month, a volunteer’s laundry (clothing and bed linens) can be done once a week. All volunteers are asked to launder their own undergarments.