Ghana

Approaching the end of my college career, I wanted to do something exciting and volunteer abroad. Choosing Projects Abroad was the best decision I have made in my life. The people of Ghana were truly warm and welcoming and helping those in need has changed my life forever. I volunteered at orphanages, leprosy camps, hospitals and community out reaches. The work you are doing for them will pay off once you hear how grateful they are. They truly give you all their blessings for doing simple medical check ups and it is a real eye opener. I will for surely be returning within a few years with the same organization.

Global Leadership Adventures is an absolutely amazing program which I would highly recommend to everyone. This past summer, I traveled to Ghana and had a fantastic time. I learned so much about the Ghanaians and their culture. The majority of our time was spent with the kids. We taught them at school in the mornings, followed by playing with them at the park for a few hours in the afternoon. We ate delicious foods, learned how to cook, and gained an insight on the Ghanaian culture. We were told old Ghanaian stories, spoke some words in Krobo, and even how to dance. Some days we went to the market, or to a local church. Other days we went hiking, explored waterfalls, and cruised down the Volta River. Overall, it was an adventure that I will never forget. I highly suggest for anyone interested to look into going on a trip with Global Leadership Adventures, as they won't regret it!

The time I spent in Ghana was by far the most amazing experience of my life. The people I met, the culture I experienced, and the things I was able to see are simply unparalleled.
Volunteering has always been a passion of mine and I know how much help many of the children all over Africa need. I began conducting research on a large number of companies and organizations that supported trips to some of the different countries in need. Eventually I landed on IFRE (Intitute for Field Research Expeditions), and the country of Ghana. I was glad I picked IFRE for their reasonable rates and good reviews. But I was even happier that I picked Ghana for that was truly what made my trip so unforgettable. The Ghanaian culture is one of open arms and great appreciation for the little things in life. During my entire three months there, there was never a time I felt I was in danger. Even with being present during the largely spread Ebola scare, I always felt secure in Ghana. There was constant attention and security surrounding all of the countries boarders and they were able to successfully survive the epidemic without a single case of Ebola ever reported. I especially loved the community of Kasoa, which is where our home base was located. All of our neighbors were always willing to lend a helping hand with any questions or confusion we might have had. I still remain in contact with many of the locals that I became close to during my time there. I miss them all very much and look forward to being able to visit them again in the future.
A large piece of the success I felt in Ghana was actually due to some extremely sad circumstances that were not initially expected. Upon arrival I had the privilege of meeting another volunteer from the United States named Iris that had already been living in the volunteer house for nearly 2 months. We had both come to the area to work in a couple different local orphanages, but luckily that is not the way it worked out. Before my arrival Iris and another volunteer Kaitlin, who had left shortly before I had come, were exploring with some doctors and had discovered a different orphanage nearby in the small village of Bentum. This orphanage was small and off the radar of any large companies sending volunteers, but was in obvious need of help.
All 17 of the “orphaned” children were very dirty and poorly taken care of but they were still able to show such strong love and intelligence towards us volunteers. As time went on we had begun to notice many little things about the kids that made us concerned. They almost always seemed to be sick and had many open and infected wounds and sores on their bodies. They all wore the same pieces of clothing nearly everyday and never seemed to be cleaned. It became apparent their clothes were not being washed and the kids were not being bathed. We started observing their meals and noticed they only got a small handful of the same food everyday for lunch. When the owners of the orphanage or adults were not around the children expressed hunger told us they were rarely given anything for breakfast or dinner. The more we observed the more we noticed the fear the children shown whenever the adult owners of the orphanage were present. During this time I had been hosting an online fundraiser for the orphanage through my friends and family back home. The original plan was to build the orphanage a small sustainable farm on the property, so they would have a continuous supply of nutrition. But as we noticed these concerning factors we decided as a group of volunteers to hold off on the money and wait to see what played out with these kids. We knew from the bottoms of our hearts that this was not where they belonged.
Eventually through various other experiences we were able to meet a doctor who agreed to travel almost 2 hours from his home to personally come visit and examine the kids. He concluded that nearly every one of them was malnourished and suffering from blood diseases and/or malaria. Out of the goodness of his heart the doctor worked with his colleagues to donate medicine for all 17 of the children to begin getting better. However, we noticed over the next week that each day when we visited the medicine did not seem to be getting to the kids from the adults like it was supposed to. There was many times during this process that contacting the local police or social services was a big question for us. But these organizations work very differently in Ghana then they do in the states and unfortunately face a lot of corruption.
Then one particular day after being there a little over a month, it all came to a big breaking point. The group of 4 of us volunteers that were currently present in the house at that time had decided we were going to travel to the capitol of Ghana that day and work with some higher up forces in social services. But while everyone was getting ready, I went into my room and began praying for a sign on what to do. Something strongly pulled me that day and while the others travelled to Accra as planned, I went Bentum and took two brothers from the orphanage to visit their sick sister that was in another hospital a few hours away. That day I was given an unexplainable overwhelming feeling from God that, that is what I was meant to do. I took along MaryAnn who was the caretaker for the volunteer house. She spoke many of the local dialects and was able to help translate what I did not understand. That day at the hospital changed everything. The boys mother was there and with MaryAnn by my side this time, she was able to translate everything.
It turned out that all 17 kids were actually all from another nearby village, and all of their parents had the impression that they were simply away at boarding school! After a lot of tears and talking it was decided that the kids needed to be taken from the orphanage. The next day we began using some of the fundraised money as we gathered some of the children’s parents into large vans and set out together to retrieve the kids. As we rescued the kids that day there was so much more that was truly revealed about the way they had been treated. The couple who ran the orphanage had been passing the kids off as orphans and taking money from volunteers around the world, but the kids were not seeing any of it. Meanwhile he had told their parents they were taken to a special boarding school that was just being started up.
Because the children had been gone from their homes for over a year and their families were in a very poverty stricken area. We as volunteers agreed to take all 17 of the kids to live with us in our volunteer house for about a month. Giving the parents time to workout their situations so they were better prepared to take care of the children upon getting them back. During this month we each worked very hard with the kids, re-teaching them how to brush their teeth and bathe twice a day, and do their laundry. We also began working to get them back to health through balanced nutrition and proper medicine. Then shortly over the next month the children began to return home to their families. We constantly visited and checked up on them, as well as going with some of the parents to check out local schools in the area that the children could attend. In the end we were able to get all 17 kids happily home to their families while also starting an organization to continue funding their schooling through our local family and friends back in the states.
While this experience was one of great trial and sadness, it was also one of great happiness and strength. It might not have been the experience I had initially expected for my travels to Ghana, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. I think that was actually the biggest lesson I learned through it all. To step out of your comfort zone and always fight for what you know is right, while trusting God every step of the way.
I am so thankful for the accommodations Mr. Franklin Kweku-Akpokli provided for all of us volunteers during our visits. That was definitely a key piece to saving those children and bettering the lives of all of the families involved.
I absolutely loved my visit to Ghana, it is nearly all I think about and I cant wait for my next opportunity to return.

I started this trip expecting to stay with a host family. Although this isn't technically a host family it definitely felt like one from the start. We sleep in bunk beds with a room mate and the beds are very comfortable. I slept better here than I do in the states on a full size bed. The food is ridiculously amazing. I can not emphasize how much I loved the food enough. The shower /bathroom both exceeding my expectations. There is also a family room with couches that are awesome for afternoon naps/reading. I have no suggestions for improvement. Most of all I felt safe 100% of the time. This is a huge part of why it was so great to stay in this house. Like I said, the volunteer house feels like a big family. There are always people around and they are always wanting to chat /hangout /get to know you. It's really a unique beautiful experience. There is so much positive energy in the house. People constantly singing and dancing. It's impossible not to be happy here. Anyone in the house offers to help you with everything - washing clothes buying soap, anything. Again I felt super safe and comfortable - even more safe in my own home. I volunteered at the margo maternity clinic and taught sex health classes at 6 schools. The clinic was very welcoming and allow you to observe and sometimes participate in activities. I was able to observe 7 births, 4 circumcision, assist in vaccinations and blood samples visit local villages to weigh and vaccinate babies and I am just a nutritionist. They really provide a unique opportunity for people to volunteer. Franklin also organized 6 different schools for me to teach sex health classes with some other volunteers. I was super impressed with Franklin and the schools openness to us coming and instructing on a delicate subject in the religious atmospheres. 5 weeks is not long enough! I have learned so much in this short time about myself, GHANA and people in general. This really is an extra ordinary opportunity with extra ordinary people. Ghanaians are incredibly welcoming and friendly and this family is no exception. I will miss this time so much, but I am so blessed to have had it. Thank you all so, so much for everything.!!

Sorry for my English.
I slept very well (sometimes too much), i took good showers(short time and refreshing). in Spain, people always take long showers, i learnt that water is a very important and needed resource. i have learnt to appreciate it. (same with power/electricity). the fans help so much during the hot moments and the rooms are very nice. I love the volunteers room, a place to find inspiration, to read something, to play, to share things... i regret not having taken some books and magazines and games to feed the room.
i know i wasn't an easy volunteer because of my communication difficulties, because when i am not with my friends and family i feel like strange because sometimes i could be shy or different. in spite of everything, since the very first day, i understood i was the same with the family just being the way i am. this strong and powerful feeling of love and equality made me feel like home, even better(respect,love,faith and help).
My experience at countryside was improving from worst to best. at the beginning, it was very hard. it was difficult to find my role and sometimes i believed that i was not being useful. Then i realized that African kids are the way they are, teachers and education system are the way they are and you cannot change it, you are just a volunteer. it is all about adapting yourself and giving your best then you are helping but if you try to change it or avoid punishment, you will be angry and you will be making a mistake. i miss my kids so much. i will always remember their names and their faces. i know they will also remember me, my jokes, the football games, the Spanish lessons,the magic tricks... and also my teacher and her daughter. I am writing this at 9.56pm. i have been with malaria for the whole week, i feel very weak and tired. i am sorry i wrote this fast but i really want to go and sleep. How ever i know we will be in touch and probably see each other again(in a different way). the only thing i want to say is THANK YOU for everything. And especially for making me born again. i will always remember the speech of Franklin in the room. It made me feel feel different, full of joy to start again, to give real meaning to my life. I am in debt to you. i really don't know how to say it but i appreciate it with all my heart. Thank you so much.

The house is LOVELY. it is way more than i expected to have. Running water, fans,etc. i slept very well every night and awoke to
a delicious breakfast waiting. the shower is lovely. it never bothered me that it was cold. i loved having Captain and Adom and all the cats to see every day. i have nothing bed to say about the accommodation here in Ghana.
Everybody here was wonderful! Kristy is great at cooking(so is Mary( and she is willing to make you something special if you don't like it. All of the girls are helpful, kind and fun to be around. They've taken us to the market and the beach and have been more than willing to visit the dress shop with us on the daily.
Franklin is helpful,full of advice and has lots of connections. He put a lot of thought into helping us run a secondary project with the schools in town and without him it couldn't have happened. Every one definitely made it feel like a big family. i haven't felt home sick at all in these 4 weeks, thanks to the loving support of my entire Ghana family!
i was assigned to work at both Margo Maternity Home and an HIV/AIDS orphanage/clinic in Accra. Throughout the 4 weeks, i never had the chance to visit the HIV/AIDS clinic. Part was due to the secondary project developed by another volunteer and myself. however, I am disappointed to not have experienced it. I signed up for the HIV/AIDS program so i really could work with support and disease management for HIV patients. Though that is not to say i didn't really enjoy the projects i was doing. at the Margo clinic, i got to work in the laboratory which was great! i also developed a good relationship with the public health nurse,Mavis. She took me out to the villages with her to educate mothers and vaccinate babies. i also got to watch a few births. Mama Lu and the majority of the nurses are very nice and welcoming. the clinic got boring every so often so another volunteer and i started teaching sexual education to J.H.S students. Teenage pregnancy and STD s are very common in Ghana. This project was wonderful and extremely rewarding. Most of the students were very receptive and excited to learn. We are trying to De-stigmatize the discussion of sex. i think it has been very helpful. we reached 7 schools(almost 500 students).
i have had a great time in Ghana. it has been eye opening,rewarding, and lovely. i will miss everybody so much. the friends i have made here will never be forgotten. I love you all so much.

The volunteer house is always filled with great positive energy. The house is clean and I sleep very well at night. The beds are super comfortable and the cold showers feel amazing in this hot weather. The food was also amazing.
I absolutely loved every one in the house hold. Every one is so loving and caring and fun. When a person is sick they make sure that you do not feel alone and is constantly at your aid. Every one eats together and we talk and dance and workout together in the evenings. They are there to talk to if you are not feeling 100% and they help you with any problems you face. In this house you will always feel safe.
The projects were fun and interesting. I was working at the maternity clinic. I didn't come with high expectations so everything I experienced exceeded everything I thought I would do. I learned so much and had the chance to try so many new things. The other workers were super friendly apart from one or two grumpy ones but apart from them every one was super nice and fun to be around. I also got to do some sex talks together with with some other volunteers, thanks to Franklin who arranged it all. In my free time I also visited the orphanage which was tiring but the children were adorable.
I am so happy I chose to come to ghana and chose this program. Words cannot describe what I feel about this place. I love every one and will miss you all. Love love love.

I sleep well, i bath well, i like our house. this is all that i need. the staff treat me as family so i will treat them as my family. they are nice and friendly always willing to help me in case i need anything. Especially, they prepare my meals according to my appetite.
At Good Shepherd Orphanage and school, i had a good time there working in the nursery. the kids are lovely. i want to thank everyone for making this happen. i have always wanted to come to Africa and this trip has exceeded my expectation. i don't only get to know and explore a new place but find my second home in the world with family members and friends that i will definitely miss so much. Although i have only been here for less than a month, i feel like i have spent half of my life here. everyone includes me in a part of everything and make my life much easier.
i am very happy because this is a christian family who love Jesus Christ as i do. Devotion time is the favorite part of my day and really i am looking forward to it everyday.
i hope and believe everyone can treasure devotion time as i do. i know God bless the family a lot. i hope to have devotion time in Hong Kong and thanks for inspiring me. I will severely miss all the beautiful singing among the house. there is a lot more people and things i will miss about this place. thanks for everything and i love you all. i really hope i can come back again.

The home base is very clean and comfortable to live in. The family here makes it feel like home. Every morning i have gotten a cheerful good morning from christie which has been a wonderful thing to wake up. everyone in the neighborhood is very nice and welcoming. overall a good place to call home while i was in Ghana.
I would not call the staff here staff, more like family. everyone in this home is absolutely wonderful. without the company of all the family members i would not have enjoyed Ghana as much as i have Everyone is always ready to help me and i feel as if i am a part of the family. i am definitely going to miss everyone a lot when I am back in Canada.
Volunteering at countryside has been amazing. the children alongside all the staff are all wonderful. all the kids at this orphanage are so full of life, while teaching them, i myself have been learning. the teachers here have been so helpful and are always open to trying out suggestions i give on teaching methods. i am very happy i had the opportunity to volunteer at countryside.
This has been a great opportunity. From my placement to the family here in Kasoa, everything has been exceptional. I would love to come back and stay longer.

Action Volunteer Alliance (AVA) and Next Generation Youth Force (NGYF) organized my entire volunteer placement very well. I felt that my transition into their program went smoothly. I was happy with how often AVA and NGYF contact me prior the trip to Ghana to ensure I have everything ready and also during the program to check on me and see how I’m doing. I really enjoyed my 6 weeks volunteer in Ghana. All of people are truly amazing! AVA and NGYF gave me amazing rich experiences at a deaf school in Ghana. Both of AVA and NGYF constant support me throughout the program well. I was really happy and satisfied with AVA and NGYF. I wish I stay there longer than 6 weeks. I miss everybody already and been thinking of them often. I definitely would go back there someday in future and recommend others to join AVA/NGYF program! They are awesome!