PMGY - Volunteer in Ghana from $375

I knew I wanted to go to Africa from the start. I wanted to feel its heart and leave with an authentic experience that I would always remember. I decided to aim for that goal in Ghana after hearing great things about the staff and how enriching the volunteering was there.

I'd never been to Africa before coming here, and travelling alone in an entirely new continent can be intidimidating. However, after landing, I was contacted by Seth and he immediately made me feel much better with his easy-going attitude. I think he was the perfect introduction and representation of the staff that live here in Ghana. This wasn't my first time volunteering in a foreign country, but the quality of the staff here was at a level I had never experienced before. They really made me feel at home and made the entire experience just that much more rich. They honestly felt like family and would go to any length to meet my needs. As an example, there was a time in the beginning where I felt like I wasn't getting enough food (I'm a tall guy), and Seth immediately told me and assured me multiple times that it was no issue to have extra food prepared. I really love the people here.

I came Africa to experience the culture and do some intense volunteering. Ghana is a great place to come if you actually want to volunteer the majority of the day and not just a few hours like in some of the other programs I'd participated in before. Our first day of volunteering was from 9 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon and it felt like the blink of an eye. The month of time I've spent here has passed by faster than at any other time in my life because of how busy and engaged we were with the volunteering and the people here. I decided to volunteer both at the school and at the orphanage along with other members, and both are very different and very fulfilling experiences. The kids at the school love new volunteers, and I was the cause of multiple arguments about where and who I would sit with in the class every day. I got to teach my first class here in Ghana! While I did feel pretty nervous at first, the kids are so fun and so energetic to the point that you feed off of it. The orphanage was a very different environment, but one I'd look forward to every day. It was a much more relaxed atmosphere in totality, but there'd be moments of absolute insanity that would leave me laughing afterwards. I've never enjoyed volunteering as much as I have here in Ghana with PMGY.

Another aspect of the country was how nice the local people were towards us. I had to answer lots of questions about America and constantly keep repeating that my name was Alek and not Eric. I guess they do sound pretty similar if you think about it. The people here were always comfortable to be around and the idea of safety being an issue never came to mind. There's people everywhere you go, and they look out for everybody else.

I would really recommend coming to Ghana to anybody that is on the fence about it. Some days were long and tough, but I found that those were the days that I got the most out of. This has been an experience that I will look back on and definitely miss once I start University.

Shoutout to Ty, Vick, Ruby, and....Kate for being an amazing group to start out Ghana with!

I’ve returned home with the most incredible memories that will last a life time, I can’t thank PMGY Ghana enough for the fact they’ve made this all possible, for myself and everyone else. This was my second visit to Ghana in 6 months and this country will forever be with me.

I spent all 4 weeks of my trip at Kumasi Children’s Home, working predominantly in the home unit with some of the orphanages youngest babies, cheekiest toddlers and also their disabled occupants. My time spent working with these children will stay with me forever, their contagious smiles, infectious laughs and generous cuddles. My favourite time of the day with these children was as we were putting them to bed, as they would frequently fall asleep in our arms. Our daily roles involved feeding the babies their bottles and hand feeding the toddlers (a technique I am yet to perfect!) bathing and changing the children, and helping with the washing. Never have I taken a washing machine for granted so much before!

We would routinely stay at the orphanage until 8.30-9pm everyday, meaning we were travelling home in the pitch-black of darkness as the sun sets at 6.30! Even when travelling in the dark, I never once felt unsafe. It can take a while to get used to everyone wanting to talk to you, to learn your name and to get your ‘line’! It can be unnerving when the children want to touch your skin or play with your hair but its only because its so different to theirs and they’re inquisitive and friendly.

I can’t thank Seth or Florence enough for everything that they do. If I ever had any questions or concerns Seth was just a Facebook message away, and he was almost always online! Seth would regularly check up on us and make sure we were doing okay and to see if there was anything he could do to improve our trip. He would also regularly bring us home the best spring rolls ever! Seth also helped us in planning our solo, last minute weekend trip to Accra. Without his help, we wouldn’t have even known where to get on the bus!

Everyday was a challenge and eye-opening but it was 100% worthwhile, I couldn’t recommend PMGY enough to anyone. If you have any concerns about anything, Philip, Josh and Seth will always reply to your messages, answer your calls ands settle your nerves. This was my second visit, but I’m sure it won’t be my last.

The saying is true...the harder the goodbye the greater the memories. I have just returned home from spending four weeks in Ghana and what an amazing four weeks they were. Having first travelled to Ghana with Plan My Gap Year in June last year and also at Christmas last year this was my third time in Ghana. With regards to the application process I cannot fault PMGY as after returning from my first trip last year I joined the Alumni club which saved me money and time. As I am part of the alumni club and have been with PMGY previously I did not have to fill out another application form which made the process so quick and simple. Philip and Josh are UK based staff who are incredible at their jobs. Any questions that I had they were able to answer and made going back to Ghana three times within nine months possible! Nothing was ever a problem for them. I spent my four weeks doing the Orphanage project which was all of the following..... Challenging, fun, emotional, hard work, rewarding and full of plenty of laughs and memories. These precious memories will last a lifetime and I am so thankful for PMGY for everything they do to make projects like this possible. Seth Mensah I will be forever thankful for you! Seth is the host in Ghana and warmly welcomes all the volunteers into the volunteer house and ensures they are well looked after during their stay. In the words of Seth Mensah “Don’t count each day, make each day count”.
The orphanage itself is government run meaning that they have limited funding which means they rely heavily on donations from local businesses. The children are cared for by ‘mothers’ twenty four hours a day. These mothers sometimes came across as being demanding or rude but once I got to know them I realised that they were all lovely. I loved helping the mothers with washing, cooking, cleaning or whatever else needed done. I absolutely loved the orphanage and by the end of my trip this time I was known by the mothers, children and staff as Mother Katherine.
The volunteer house is situated in a great area. I felt extremely safe and well looked after. The local children who lived near the house became like my family. I loved experiencing the culture and in my spare time I would help the children’s families prepare dinner or help with washing clothes (it is harder than what it looks). I found that there were lots of mosquitoes so my advice would be to bring lots of insect repellent with a high level of deet in it!
I also got to spend a couple of days at the teaching project with Madam Florence. Madam Florence is a PMGY coordinator and lives on site at the house with the volunteers. Not only is Madam Florence an amazing teacher but she is a great coordinator! If I needed any help or had any issues Madam Florence was always available and willing to go out of her way to help.
This may have been my third time in Ghana with PMGY but I know it is not going to be my last! I will be back!

I don't even know where to start when describing my last 8 weeks in Ghana. When going out I was not really sure what to expect but can honestly say they were one of the best 8 weeks of my life! The culture, music, food and people were all just amazing. While there I did the orphanage, teaching and medical projects and loved them all. (However I would recommend no more than 2/3 weeks at the medical if you have no experience/qualifications in this area) The children at the teaching and orphanage projects are the most appreciative, kind, loving and adorable children I've met, they will steal your heart. After months of researching different organisations to go with, PMGY offered one of the most affordable thats out there. The staff and PMGY team in the U.K. and Ghana were all great. Whenever I had questions pre departure I never hesitated to give them a call or message and in the support in country was outstanding. Seth and Florence were like family and always there for you, if ever you had any problem or issue wether it be you were sick or saw a mouse in the house, they would always do everything they could to sort it out straight away. The team in Ghana as well as the other volunteers I met there were always there to support you after a tough day or laugh with you after a good one and I'd certainly made friends for life. I'm only home two days and already I'm trying to plan to go back as are many others that I've met during my time there and that I feel speaks for itself. Genuinely cannot thank or recommend PMGY or Ghana enough!

Not quite knowing what to expect from my time in Ghana I can now say that it was 5 of the most unforgettable weeks of my life. The country coupled with the amazing staff led by Seth and Flo made me feel at home and although I am unable to properly convey through words how grateful I am to have been able to spend my time in Ghana with PMGY I strongly recommend it to anyone wanting to travel and really experience the country and all it has to offer.

I cant even put into words how I feel about my time in Ghana with PMGY. Its been the most amazing experience of my life. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the kids at the school and orphanage smile, and I feel privileged to have been a part of their lives and education.

The PMGY staff are fantastic. Seth has been great, he's always there if you need him and has given me his full support. Flo is just the most amazing woman I've ever met - she gives her all to us volunteers as well as the kids at school. Christy and Cindy are great in the kitchen and always so friendly.

The placements are wonderful and they give you the opportunity to see what life is like in Ghana. I did the hospital, orphanage and school, and each one is so rewarding and you really feel a part of the community when you're there.

I have felt completely safe during my whole time in Ghana. Either in the trotros, taxis or just walking around, I always felt comfortable, and the people in Ghana are so helpful and friendly.
I would highly recommend PMGY Ghana to everyone - I've had the best time, made friends for life, and want to return in the future.

Not quite knowing what to expect from my time in Ghana I can now say that it was 5 of the most unforgettable weeks of my life. The country coupled with the amazing staff led by Seth and Flo made me feel at home and although I am unable to properly convey through words how grateful I am to have been able to spend my time in Ghana with PMGY I strongly recommend it to anyone wanting to travel and really experience the country and all it has to offer.

I travelled to Ghana aged only 17 with no prior travelling experience. I took part of the orphanage placement but was given ample opportunities to take part in all of the placements. I find it extremely difficult to put into words how much I loved this trip and it was quite frankly the best three months of my life so far. I have bonded with all the children and have never been so sad to leave. All staff including seth and flo were more supportive than you can ever even imagine. They became my family with Kumasi being my home. Cannot recommend Seth / PMGY more and will most certainly be back. If you're considering volunteering please use PMGY and take my word for it, i've never felt safer or move loved. I've made incredible bonds and friendships that will last a lifetime.