Alliance for African Women Initiative (AFAWI)

Not Verified What's this?

9 / 10 after 8 Reviews Based on overall, support & value average ratings

When I chose to volunteer with AFAWI I was looking for a hands-on development field work experience with a local NGO. Working with AFAWI not only fulfilled this goal, but taught me more than I could have imagined about working in African development.

I stayed with AFAWI for two months, focusing on the Livelihood microfinance project. Working day in and day out in local communities gave me a far more visceral understanding of poverty alleviation than I had ever learned from a textbook or sitting in a university lecture.

In no way did AFAWI dictate the terms and objectives of the project I worked on. Instead, I was given far more responsibility than I had ever had in previous jobs and internships.

From the start, myself and the other volunteers were allowed the space to make key decisions, lead financial training seminars, carry out business data analysis, and undertake monitoring and evaluation in the field.

In addition to the invaluable field-work experience, I learned about the inner workings of a local NGO and how to work productively alongside colleagues from countries as diverse as Bosnia, UK, Mexico, China, and Ghana.

In sum, AFAWI affords its volunteers a cooperative environment fostering project creativity and a unique balance of support and autonomy to coordinate effective and hands-on development projects.

Program:

Volunteer Abroad

Location:

Ghana

Posted: July 25, 2014

Overall:

Support:

Value:

By: Adam S

Age:

Reply
Flag

I found this helpful 0

I was with AFAWI for a month, working on the Livelihood project. AFAWI's approach is very interesting, as it links its different projects together, making the support it gives to the beneficiaries very comprehensive. The Livelihood project is more than just a programme that gives out loans: it seeks to give individualised help through business training and monitoring, to ensure that the money that women receive is indeed having a positive impact on their life. As a volunteer, you are actively involved in all aspects of the project, from planning to fundraising to fieldwork, and once you settle in (which happens very fast), you have the freedom to choose the areas you prefer to work in and organise your own schedule. The people you work with are dedicated and helpful, and always welcome your opinions and inputs with an open mind. Working with this small yet dynamic NGO has really allowed me to see how vibrant and exciting Ghana is. I would recommend this experience to everyone, but for a longer stay than mine.

Program:

Location:

Ghana

Posted: July 20, 2014

Overall:

Support:

Value:

By: Laura Gardner

Age:

Reply
Flag

I found this helpful 0

AFAWI is an amazing organization who make a difference in their community. Doing a volunteer internship with them, gave me first hand experience in the workings of a grassroots NGO. I was only able to stay 3 weeks, but still was exposed to many aspects of the NGO. I was even invited to meetings with other local NGOs to discuss perspectives and progress on health care, education, gender, farming and civil society projects.

I chose to participate in the program Monitoring and Evaluation. The project I worked on concentrated on health care and I was able to travel to different areas doing data collection (questionnaires and interviews).

AFAWI staff are very kind and welcoming. They are open, honest and very helpful. The volunteer house is clean, with running water, electricity and only a couple steps away from the office. The neighbourhood is friendly and only 30-40 mins away from the Accra by bus. This is my second time in Ghana, I like the culture and food very much, with AFAWI you will be able to experience living like a local in Ghana.

If you have an interest in International Development, AFAWI is really where you should be volunteering. Unlike other internships where you push paper around an office and read about what is happening on the ground, AFAWI will give you the opportunity to do field work, speak with people and see the real workings of an NGO that makes a difference in improving our world.

Program:

Volunteer Abroad

Location:

Ghana

Posted: May 11, 2014

Overall:

Support:

Value:

By: Natasha G

Age:

Reply
Flag

I found this helpful 0

Working with AFAWI was a fantastic experience that I will never forget. Being immersed in local culture both at home with my host family and at work with AFAWI staff meant that I learnt a great deal about the Ghanaian way of life during my six month placement here. I enjoyed the hospitality of two different host families during my stay in Ghana, who were welcoming, lovely people. The work I undertook with AFAWI was hugely valuable both to me for personal development, and for the participants involved in AFAWI's varied projects. Most of my work was in data collection and research design, however I was invited to participate in a microfinance project and a project in collaboration with larger non-profit organisations aimed at helping orphaned and vulnerable children. AFAWI allowed me a decent level of autonomy my work so I was able to develop one initiative with a colleague (The Kids' Fund) and one research project myself with support from the organisation that I will use for my University dissertation. I urge anybody who is passionate about grassroots development with an open mind and laid back, enthusiastic nature to volunteer with this organisation. It has opened my eyes in so many ways and I am very grateful for the memories and experiences AFAWI has given me.

Program:

Volunteer Abroad

Location:

Ghana

Posted: February 7, 2014

Overall:

Support:

Value:

By: C Young

Age: