6th June 2013
Dear Parents/Carers
Ghana: An overview of the proposed trip to Ghana in February 2014
Provisional Itinerary:
The following outlines what we are likely do in the 10 days that we will have in Ghana, based on the programmes of February 2008 to 2013. The activities in Ghana are organised by Maggie Crowe of Discover Ghana Tours, and there may have to be some flexibility in the programme. We try to vary the trip each year and will confirm the final itinerary in the autumn.
Thursday 13th Feb 2014 / a.m. depart Heathrow to Accra. Travel by minibus to Akosombo on Lake Volta (approximately 1 hour and a half).Friday 14th Feb / Morning, visit Manya Krobo School. Visit Akosombo market. Afternoon, Volta Dam Hotel for an afternoon swim and/or afternoon cruise on Volta river
Saturday 15th Feb / Visit Tortibo village to: experience village life, make tie dye fabric and learn how to make recycled glass beads into necklaces and bracelets. Travel to Ho.
Sunday
16th Feb / Travel to Monkey Sanctuary and visit Wli Falls near Hohoe (the highest waterfall in Ghana)
Monday 17th Feb / Return to Akosombo, to spend the day at Manya Krobo School, working on projects with Ghanaian students.
Tuesday 18th Feb / Visit Fairtrade banana plantation. Travel to Kumasi.
Wednesday
19th Feb / Kumasi Cultural Centre & chief’s palace
Thursday 20th Feb / Travel to Cape Coast. Lunch at Anomabu beachside hotel. Stay night at Hans Cottage Botel.
Friday
21st Feb / Morning visit Kakum Rainforest National Park, forest canopy walk. Afternoon visit Elmina or Cape Coast historic slave-trading fort. Stay night at Hans Cottage Botel.
Saturday 22nd Feb / Travel to Accra. Visit Accra Craft Market. Lunch at Coco Beach Resort Hotel. Evening depart Accra.
Sunday 23rd Feb / a.m. arrive Heathrow. Travel by coach to Brighton.
Expectations of Costs:
The following information is provided as an indication of final costs.
· Basic cost of trip (including flights, payment to tour company, entrance fees, Ghanaian visa, administration), based on costs in February 2013 – approximately £1600. The cost has to be approximate at this stage, as there are variables such as cost of flight and number of pupils participating.
· Additional costs (including medical and toiletries) – approximately £150
· Pocket money £40 to £100
Medical:
· It is essential to have a vaccination against Yellow Fever – without the certificate you cannot enter the country.
· It is also essential to take anti-malarial drugs for a visit to Ghana – seek independent medical advice on which form to take.
· Hepatitis vaccination is also recommended but not essential.
· You will also find Rabies vaccination on the recommended list as well as up to date Polio and Tetanus.
You must seek independent medical advice on these matters, we cannot give specific advice.
Passports and Visas:
Passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the travel back date (in this case it should be valid until at least September 2014). We will be making a group application for Visas in December / January. We will need all Passports to be in our possession for 1 to 2 weeks to enable us to do this. If your Passport is anything other than a UK one you must tell us so we can find out if there are additional requirements or complications.
General Safety and Well-being:
Having conducted two preparatory trips, six pupil trips in February 2008 - 2013, we feel that overall the risk to pupils is low throughout the stay in Ghana. A thorough risk assessment has been put in place. The minibuses in which we travel are well-presented and well-driven, the accommodation is of good standard and pupils are not put in situations where they could be at risk of personal injury. All the areas that we visited are supported by good medical facilities.
Proposed Schedule of events leading up to departure:
Friday, 21st June: £200.00 deposit due from those wishing to participate (see reply slip below), followed by confirmation by email/letter from school that pupil has been successful. If the trip is oversubscribed we shall draw names from a hat.
June to February Regular instalments for the trip, dates to be confirmed
October/November Parents’ meeting with Maggie Crowe of Discover Ghana Tours
December Visa application
November - February Pupils’ preparatory lunchtime meetings
January Final parents’ meeting
Gary Shilladay/Jeremy Holtom
Trip Organisers
GHANA TRIP FEBRUARY 2014 - reply slip
I would like my child: ……………………………………………………...... …..(name as on passport)
Date of Birth: ……………...... …in Form ………… to take part in the Ghana Trip 2014.
I enclose cash/cheque for £200 made payable to Dorothy Stringer School. Please place payment in an envelope clearly marked with the pupil’s name, form and trip, for the attention of Ann Eke by Friday 21st June at the latest.
Medical information/allergies/dietary requirements: ………………………………………………………......
Home Address .………………………………………………………………………………………………......
.………………………………………………………………………………………………......
Home telephone number…………………………………………………………………...... ………......
Email address…………………………………………………………………………………....……………… (please print clearly)
Signed……………………………………………………………………………………...... (Parent/Guardian)
Name (printed)…………………………………………………………….………….…………………..… Date ………...………….