Ghana

My trip was amazing, I was informed throughout the entire process, the communication was daily from the beginning to the very end from the team of IVHQ. The program was awesome and you must have an open mind. I must give them a 10 + rating on all my check boxes because I was engaged with people who has a heart full of gold. My last day of volunteering was sad because you meet the most amazing people throughout.

Thank You IVHQ
I will be back

The Childcare Project in Ghana was my very first international volunteering experience and it was the greatest experience of my life. I got to teach at the children’s schools, help coach the junior soccer team, and participate with the local community band in Frankadua, Ghana! The people and children in Ghana are the kindest and most hard-working people I have ever met! I hope to go back one day and volunteer in Ghana again!!!!

One of the best experiences of my life. I signed up for childcare in Ghana and cannot recommend it enough. Everyone is so kind and welcoming. It really felt like I made a difference by teaching the children in school. For the weekends we were able to make some excursions and see the country and make awesome memories with all the volunteers. Would love to go back :)

I can honestly say that this travel experience was one of if not the most traumatizing things I've ever been through in my life. My experience in Ghana happened several years ago. I was supposed to be there for 6 months and begged my family to get me out after 1 month. Upon returning home to the u.s. I was in counseling for over a year dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder from this trip. United Planet promised many things such as support and reasonable expectations of what was asked of you during your volunteer service but this simply isn't true. When I contacted people both in Ghana and in America saying that I was struggling and needed help and pointing out the basic necessities promised we're not being provided and that I was not in a safe healthy place the response I got was, well, it's Africa. What do you expect? We can't control Ghana's side of things (from the American branch) and we just don't have the money and resources to give things that your country promised (like edible food, basic medical care, work days less than 12 hours long, equipment necassary to preform tasks safety, etc) from the Ghanian side. On the first day I arrived in Ghana there was no one to help me with anything. Apparently there had been a mix-up with what day my flight was supposed to arrive so I was a day early. I was picked up at the airport and brought to a hostel and then abandoned there with no money, no cell phone or way of contacting anyone, and no explanation of what was going on. I had to go around the hostel begging people for information and safe drinking water. I basically spent the day in my room very ill and very afraid with no one to help me. The next day the Ghanian staff showed up and explained that I had arrived a day too early. They've been finally helped me get some money so I could at least buy water. It was several more days before they would help me get a cell phone so I could contact my family. I was very sick the entire time I was in Ghana and so were other volunteers. One girl I volunteered with had mono but they didn't send her home and expected her to keep doing her normal volunteer work. Of course she was much too sick to do so, so another volunteer and I were simply expected to pick up her tasks on top of our own. What was supposed to be volunteer work became slave labor. And as I mentioned I was extremely ill the entire time as well. There's so many more horrible things that went on but I'm getting so upset remembering it all. I just want people to know but this experience is not what people say it is. I'm sure there are some people that really did have a wonderful time with United Planet but this was the worst experience of my life and years later I am still dealing with the trauma. I wish someone had told me the truth about what went on and what to expect so I would have known that this was not the right option for me. I am still so angry at United Planet and everyone in Ghana. I am still so hurt. I just hope this can help someone else stay safe and not make a horrible decision that will scar them for life like it did me.

Before I made my decision to volunteer I managed to talk with some of the past volunteers of Global Crossroad. I received varieties of feedbacks some were very positive and some were partially positive. But one thing I learned from all participants is that the projects associated with Global Crossroad are very good and the hosts are very nice and honest. They will go out of their way to help you and make your stay smooth.
My other option was Cross Cultural Solutions as well, however I crossed it off my list since it was 200% expensive than Global Crossroad.
Once I booked their program to Accra. I received all information within two weeks and gave me access to talk to local coordinator and volunteers who were on field. After talking to volunteers in field it provided me with more confidence. I was greeted at the airport by Richard. Once we arrived in Kasoa, there was a room ready for us. Next day, I had an orientation; all together there were 10 other volunteers as well. The home base accommodation was safe. The nice thing about it was that the working project was only few blocks away from the hostel. I am happy that I choose Global Crossroad.

Host Family
Our three hour drive to Cape Coast was filled with bumpy roads, church music, random police barrier stops, and naps. We finally arrived at our host family house and was warmly greeted by our host mother. We also met another girl in our program, who had been there for two days prior. Our host mom showed us to our rooms, and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. We had our own toilet and shower, which became very convenient. Our host family was very large, there were always several family members around, who were always welcoming and friendly towards us. Our host family also gave us large portions, even though there were only four of us, so we never went hungry.

Staff Support
Travelling for the first time at the age of 16 sounded very scary but ProjectsAbroad helped me throughout the entire process! My parents had a lot of hesitations about me volunteering abroad by myself, but ProjectsAbroad was able to reassure my parents that I was going to be safe and well taken care of. The staff at ProjectsAbroad truly make you feel as comfortable as possible and will help you with anything. There is no doubt that I wouldn’t have had an experience this amazing if it weren’t for the staff there, Eric and Victor. They were always very positive, friendly, and kind towards us. They made sure we were well taken care of and treated us like family.

Activities
On the weekends, we were able to relax and was able to stay at Kosa Beach Resort for one night. We also got to see Kakum National Park which was scary, but exciting and fun as well! Although we worked five days during the week, the staff at ProjectsAbroad always made sure we weren't doing more than we were able to and made sure that we were enjoying our time, even while working.

I can definitely say that my two weeks in Ghana truly changed my life and it is an experience that I will never forget. Two weeks was too short and I wish I could’ve spent more time there. I hope my story and experience will inspire you to go to Ghana because it is truly a remarkable country that I know I will visit again someday!