PMGY - Volunteer in Ghana from $375

I visited Kumasi in Ghana for 1 month over the summer of 2016. I chose to volunteer with PMGY after a recommendation from a friend on their medical placement, and I also had the opportunity to visit the children in Kumasi children's home as part of the orphanage placement. I travelled on my own, but had the opportunity to meet many other volunteers of a similar age whilst I was there, with whom I have made life-long friends! As a Biomedical student it was an incredible opportunity to be able to spend time in many different wards in the hospital in Kumasi. The doctors and nurses that worked there were lovely, they were always so pleasant and welcoming and were always helpful in answering questions and getting to know the Ghanian way of life. On placement, you have the opportunity to observe a variety of patients in A&E, maternity, surgery, ultrasound and more. Outside of placement, you will have the opportunity to spend time with other volunteers as well as the staff there on PMGY, including Seth. Seth was there to help from start to finish, and I think most volunteers would agree that it wouldn't have been the same experience without him! Along with the rest of the PMGY team, he took us fellow volunteers to see much of Kumasi, including the amazing market, as well as trips outside of Kumasi to the likes of Cape Coast and Mole National Park for a safari. The PMGY team make you feel right at home, and I always felt safe no matter where I was or what I was doing. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone that is interested, and in a few years time I hope that I will be visiting again. Thank you PMGY for an amazing month!

My name is Genine Collings, I am 23 years old from Ontario Canada and I was a volunteer in Kumasi Ghana. My experience in Ghana was an amazing one. I met many great locals and volunteers who all wanted to make a positive difference in someones life. Being in Ghana gave me the opportunity to venture outside of my comfort zone. I never expected to be apart of such a welcoming team who made me realize I am much stronger, smarter, and more brave than I could have ever imagined. The moment I arrived at the PMGY volunteer house I felt at home and there was never a time that I felt uncomfortable or out of place. The coordinators, staff, and all the volunteers helped make Ghana my home. Although my stay was for a short two weeks, I was able to see and experience the most amazing sites, people and make the most amazing friends. These memories will last me a lifetime thanks to PMGY.
The placement I chose was to help teach at a school in Kumasi. I am extremely happy for choosing this placement because the teachers taught me different teaching methods and how to effectively teach each child in the classroom. I was also able to move around to different classrooms and teach whatever grade I preferred. The class I ended up teaching most of the time left a great impact on me and it broke my heart to say goodbye to all the grateful and wonderful students. Everyday you walk into the school, every student is welcoming and very happy to see you. They are playful, funny and will keep you smiling all day long. There were no bad days while at the school because the staff and children never ceased to warm your heat with their friendly welcoming arms.
Ghana is an amazing place to visit and there are so many hidden beauties that I never expected to see. The PMGY staff took us to see the most beautiful places in Ghana which was not even the half of it. Ghana is a beautiful country with very friendly residents who always seemed very happy to meet you wherever you went. I would definitely love to go back to Ghana and would recommend anyone to visit this beautiful country.

-Genine Collings

I really enjoyed my time in Ghana, the house was lovely and all the PMGY staff were brilliant - we even went to one of their weddings while we were out! I found the country fascinating and it had such a friendly, safe atmosphere - in two weeks of independent travel before meeting PMGY we didn't have any issues at all (largely thanks to the Bradt guide to Ghana), and the PMGY trip to mole national park was well organised and fun! The placements themselves were all amazing - the hospital allows you access to everywhere if you know who to ask (and Seth does!), the children at the orphanage are so so sweet, and my two weeks of teaching at the school weren't nearly enough. I really recommend this trip if you're looking for a taste of Africa - my only regret is not staying longer!

Words really can't describe the way you will feel and I feel about pmgy Ghana. Everyone seems to write purely about the projects so I'm going to try and take a different approach.. Keep an open mind for me, Although will probably fail, just bare with me :)
(Please please please read full review on Facebook - plan my gap year)

So the first thing I will say READ THE HANDBOOK but also.. do not over things, trust me when I say. Do not over think, from malaria tablets, packing, to flying by yourself, to your whole trip. Take a deep breath and go with an open mind when they say this in the hand book they really mean it, ya no don't go with expectations it will really help your trip reach full potential, be most enjoyable and help you to embrace the Ghanaian way of life. It will give you and your mind the opportunity to be open and welcoming to anything and everything you do, see and experience I honestly can't stress this enough! I volunteered in the orphanage, visited the disabled house within the orphanage, regularly went to the school and made a couple trips to the hospitals. I my self personally felt I was really prepared for this trip mentally, and I was right you expect the unexpected and it truly helped I was able to absorb the Ghanaian life to its full potential. It is AMAZING. Ghana is a beautiful beautiful beautiful country full off loving caring humans where ever you turn, with a face full of smiles, giggles, care and always a lovely compliment for you. They have the ability to make you feel so welcome and good all from complete strangers I've never felt anything like it it was eye opening. I am going to be honest in saying you will get a lot off attention in the dusty roads of kronum but it's most definitely not something to shy away from, embrace it! Embrace the attention you get, yes it may feel too much sometimes but don't over think they mean no harm, its the wonder they have about you, the questions they ask you, the conversations people will have you the kids that shout at you and look so happy by having you wave back to them because I can assure you walking through the streets of England i don't get that any more haha! Take the time to learn twi, take in the culture it will get you a lot of respect and get you a long way in Ghana the locals love it. The moment you turn around and say even small small as 'medase' or 'etesen' or 'eye' the reaction is priceless, a English person speaking twi.. Whaaaaaat!
Briefly - Colby and Seth were fab! Colby is just a beautiful inspiring and strong women who for me made the most impact on my whole trip. She was so welcoming, loving and caring and really did help my practically, emotionally and with all aspects of the trip, heart of gold and a true honest friendship was made. Seth is the man fo all you need to know about Ghana and his friend cobbinah will be your trusting friend for life. Massive love to you all.

PMGY really care for you, the best experience of my life in Ghana. Met some amazing people and I will never forget my trip. Highly recommended :)

Make the most of every experience including; working with the children, visiting the markets, seeing the elephants, feeding monkeys, touching crocodiles, walking on the high canopy's of Kahkum National Park and making friends for life.

The PMGY team are amazing and won't disappoint.

Book your trip today!

The program staff are incredibly helpful, and ensure you get everything you need. Kumasi is a fantastic city and volunteering with the children is incredibly rewarding. The heat takes a while to get used too but after a while it is no problem. This program is great for getting a taste of life in Kumasi and the experience is eye opening. It is incredible to be able to meet and live with wonderful people from all over the world! I can't recommend this program enough.

I went to Ghana last summer for 4 weeks and it was the most incredible experience of my life! Words can't really explain the feeling you get knowing your volunteering helping others. Seth and colby were amazing they become second parents your African mum and dad they take such good care and do there absolute best to insure all volunteers are comfortable and happy in their stay they go beyond to make sure everything is perfect! Nothing can prepare you for the emotions you gave once you get out there weather you decide to go on the medical project or the orphanage project it's just an experience which really makes you realise and appreciate everything in life! You share a house with some amazing people you create really special friendships that last a lifetime you make some amazing memories with some of the most loving people in Africa. Being in Ghana was so refreshing it was just such a positive happy atmosphere everywhere you go the people are all so friendly and make you feel so warm and welcome where you go! The trips you can go on the weekends are also incredible visiting cape coast, the safari and much more! Seriously had the best time ever and would seriously recommend to anyone weather it's 2 weeks or 4months it's something you would never regret personally I'd recommend that you go longer than 2 weeks because there is so much to do in Ghana the longer your there the more you get to bond with people get a real feel of there culture and feel even more like you apart of one big family. Volunteering in Ghana is so rewarding it's just amazing and everyone should do it! Defiantly be returning this year myself so get yourself to Ghana you'd be crazy not too!

I have done the PMGY Ghana orphanage project. First of shoutout to Gad, a member of the UK team who pretty much filled in my application form and advised what to do, he even follows up with you after your chat! Now onto Ghana, where do I even begin? Seth and Colby are helpful and funny people, so there's no problem getting along with them, they're very open people and will always have their door opened for a chat! If you don't feel like chatting, play with their adorable baby Flora! They are helpful from picking you up from the airport to guiding your way to the projects and finding the seamstress (Colby draws maps, just get her to explain them or you may get abit lost haha). Their house always felt like home and the girls I came with made it even better! Now onto the orphanage, you get what you put in. I loved chatting to the older girls to helping out with the baby boys and playing with the older kids. You do really see the Ghanian way and it really is an eye opener. Even though my experience was only 2 weeks, there's never been a passing day that I don't think about my time there. Thanks to everyone who was a part of that experience!