Why did you decide to volunteer abroad with Gapforce in Ghana?
Meg: The "careers destination office" at my university were offering students the opportunity to apply for a place to participate as a volunteer in Ghana through Gapforce. Their comprehensive information indicated they are a reputable organisation and the range of opportunities on offer were appealing and suggested they would be a good company to go with. It was also reassuring to know that coordinators would be on hand to ensure the trip would run smoothly which gave both myself and my parents the confidence that this was an opportunity not too be missed. The London coordinators were extremely helpful in providing clarification on certain things; nothing was too much trouble and they answered promptly by either email or telephone. The online check list helped to ensure that I had everything in place (visas etc.) prior to leaving so I could travel with confidence.
What made this experience unique and special?
Meg: I had not travelled independently before but Ghana proved a great place for a first time traveller. The Ghanaian people were all extremely friendly and welcoming and I felt very safe at all times. The combination of living and working (voluntarily) in a foreign culture, the opportunity to meet lots of new people, make new friendships and travel opportunities made this a worthwhile experience and a much more rewarding than the stereo-typical holiday abroad.
As a student nurse, my placement in the hospital was a very enlightening experience and I observed a completely different form of healthcare from the UK and I was involved in a number of different aspects of nursing. Whilst not on placement I had a lot of contact with the local children in their schools and community. They were great fun to play with and foreigners were a great source of curiosity to them. The co-ordinators in Ghana organised trips for us to go on enabling us to explore Ghana as a group and appreciate its beauty and culture. I met some great people during placements and in the complex I was staying at and made some really good friendships with people.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Meg: My experience in the hospital in Ghana has given me a lot of insight into how different things are to the UK. It made me realise how lucky we are in the UK to have the excellent healthcare that we take for granted when there are people in the world who only have access to health resources that are much more limited. It has given me confidence in communicating with people from different cultures and everything I learnt and observed can only help me in a positive way with my nursing career. On a personal level it was rewarding to experience a much different way of life, even if it was for just a short space of time. It has also given me the motivation to go travelling in the future but with more of a purpose in mind.
What was the highlight of your experience?
Meg: The highlight of my trip was working on the labour ward in the hospital. I was able to spend the day supporting a woman throughout her labour and witnessed the delivery of her baby which was an experience that I am unlikely to forget. It was a privilege to be part of such an intimate and special moment. A few days after the birth, the midwife I worked with and I visited mother and baby and felt very honoured to be welcomed into their own home. Meeting lots of other volunteers, sharing the Ghana experience with people you get along well with and can have lots of fun with was another main highlight. It definitely made the experience a lot more enjoyable and I hope to keep in contact with the other volunteers I met.
What is one piece of advice you would offer someone considering volunteering abroad in Ghana?
Meg: Make sure you go with a reputable organisation like Gapforce especially if it is your first time travelling. Their advice and experience helps ensure you prepare properly for the trip and make the most of it whilst you are there. I would recommend to anyone who has the opportunity to go, to take it as it may be a once in a lifetime experience or become something that you aim to do again and again.