Ghana

I lived in Accra, Ghana for a month with Projects Abroad after completing a study abroad program with my university there as well. PA was definitely the better of the two programs, and it taught me so much more than my first placement.
The staff is amazing and they offer just the right amount of support - they don't stifle you or hold you by the hand, but neither do they just throw you out there with no information.
My host mother was kind, courteous, and an amazing cook. She worked hard to make sure we were all comfortable and has hosted volunteers for many years now.
If you decide to go, make sure that you travel outside of Accra on the weekends. No one really enjoys Accra, but it is very convenient and easy to catch a tro-tro out of town for a relaxing weekend at the beach, in Volta Region, etc.
Choosing Projects Abroad was a great decision, and I highly recommend it. I'm definitely a better person for it.

I spent nine weeks in the capital city of Togo volunteering at an orphanage known as Mercy Children's Home. Projects Abroad Togo is a small family of staff and volunteers which lent itself to amazing bonding and wonderful weekend trips to Ghana and Benin, for example. The PA staff was on call 24/7 for any needs we may encounter. They were incredibly accommodating in every way. It was a beautiful experience all around. They picked us up from the airport, held Monday check-up meetings, and popped in on us at the orphanage to make sure we were happy and healthy. By the end of our stay we were a part of the family.

Overall I found that I did not seem to get my moneys worth from the programme. The host hospital did not seem to really know what to do with me and I hardly felt like my time was worthwhile, which I was very upset about. The programme gains points as the representative on the ground was quite apologetic about the lack of arrangements and the host family I stayed with were lovely. So I did gain a good experience from the time I spent in Africa, it just seemed fairly pointless and a waste of money organising it through travellers worldwide unfortunately.

I went on a 1 month volunteer and travelling experience with Global Crossroad to Ghana. Whilst the country itself was amazing, I was very disappointed with how the program was run. It seemed to me that the coordinators were pocketing a large amount of the hefty sum that I paid to volunteer, whereas the host family where I stayed received virtually none of that money ($50 per head per week). Further, the orphanage where I worked also appeared to receive very little of the money, and the toys we brought were whisked away from the children to be taken somewhere else, although I am not sure where. The travel experience for a week at the end of the trip was positive and I saw some amazing things. However, again our guide appeared to be paying for some of our expenses out of his own pocket as he was not being provided with enough funds to pay for our accommodation and food. The support provided by the coordinators was virtually non-existent. This said I did have a great experience, but this was entirely to the credit of my host family and other Ghanaian people I met.

ABV is a great program for people who would like to travel and volunteer their time to help other those that are less fortunate. I went by myself and came back a changed person. The land, people, and culture of Ghana was amazing and the children and the people will always be in my heart. ABV was very helpful and helped my experience be as smooth as possible. If I ever had any questions they were very prompt responding. I plan on traveling again through ABV!

I was placed in a village not far from Accra, Ghana, where I volunteered in an orphanage for 10 weeks. My coordinators were very helpful and often went out of their way to assist me, and quickly responded to complaints. Living conditions were more primitive than I expected (no running water) but it was nothing I couldn't adjust to, and contributed to my amazing African experience.

So supportive! The accommodation is great, full of interesting people, clean and right in the centre of town. Had a super time. Thanks Ikando!

Volunteering in Kpando, Ghana was truly an amazing experience. As one of the leaders for a 12 person group it was extremely important to work with an organized and supportive program. I found the staff at A Broader View to be a major help during the planning period of my trip. All of my emails were quickly answered, Sarah was always available to answer any questions over the telephone, and all of my concerns about safety were addressed. I worked together with A Broader View in order to come up with a great itinerary to provide meaningful service in Ghana. There is such a wide range of volunteer opportunities so no matter what area you would like to focus your service on it is possible through A Broader View.
I urge everybody to go and experience the beautiful country of Ghana. The people were so warm and inviting. Everywhere we went kids came to hug us and adults took us in with open arms. There is so much that can be done in Africa and so much that you can learn from the people there. Going in with an open mind and getting first hand experience is the best way to actually do something about poverty, preventable illnesses, and HIV/Aids education.
. I experienced and learned so much more then I ever thought was possible during my time in Ghana.

I went to Ghana with these guys and thought that they were great, from the first phone call to the reunion ball that they put on in Newcastle a couple of months after I got back to the UK they really seemed to go the extra mile for us volunteers.
In Ghana I was staying in a small village with seven other guys from the UK and one Canadian, my time was split between teaching and helping to build a new classroom. We had good support from one of the Madventurer crew on the ground and they were happy to recommend places to visit at weekends and point us in the direction of a good bar in Accra.
I have recommended Madventurer to all my friends at Uni and have no doubt anyone reading this review would be looked after by these guys.

As a Japanese student. I was so confused at the begening after looking some negetive feedbacks of Global Crossroad. But I did talk to some of the volunteers who participated Global Crossroad before. I received varities of feedbacks some were very positive and some were partially positive. But one thing I learned from all participants that projects Global Crossroad works are very good and host are very nice.
After talk to numbers of participants, I did talk to Cheryl and a guy, they gave me so many information but I was not able to decide to join thier program and decided to join Cross Cultural Soluntions. After talking to Cross Cultural Solutions I found that Global Crossroad and Cross Cultural placed volunteers in same project in many places and later decided to join Global Crossroad because Cross cultural solution is 200% expensive than Global Crossroad.
Once I booked thier 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 provide me more confidence. When I board the plane from JFK, I met other volunteer of Global Crossroad (Christina) we both talk so many aspects of Global Crossroad because we were very suspecious about Global Crossroad, what is going to happen if no one apears at Airport. When we exit the airport we saw my and Christine name on card board holding by one of the Global Crossroad staffs (Mr. Richard) than our suspision culm down abit, we talk to Richard on way to Kasoa. One we arrive in Kasoa, there was room ready for us. which give me more confidence that Global Crossroad is more legitimate than what other expalined in web. Next day, we had orientation, all together we were 10 volunteers. the home base accomodation look very safe and Naomi was so nice and the working project is just next block of the hostel. All my suspision and confusion completely meltdown than I felt so happy that I choose Global Crossroad.
I have seen some problem in Ghana such are people are not on time so the country coorinator. Over all my experience was excellent and rewarding It is no doubt I will go with Global Crossroad because they provide me very secure environment. Once again thanks global crossroad you guys are doing woundful job. Don't listen what other say, keep your metions what you want to acheive.
Inoue, Nihonbashi