Atlas Kente Logo

Atlas Volunteers

Why choose Atlas Volunteers?

Atlas Volunteers is a volunteering group based in Abetifi, Ghana. We are ran by a mixture of British and Ghanaian staff who have all volunteered previously in the local area before meeting each other and creating a new group to focus on social impact and bringing a change to the people of our community.

Our low cost placements include accommodation in modern, clean housing with all utility bills covered and on site support staff.

We work with the local government and organisations to ensure that your visit is meaningful to both you and the local area with the highest social impact possible.

Founded
2017

Reviews

Default avatar
Felix
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Trip to Ghana with Atlas

My two initial placements were PE and Reading Club. As I arrived during Easter time, my trip started with a lot of fun and partying because the region is known for its huge Easter celebration. After that beautiful time, work really began. I focused early on Reading Club and only did a few PE lessons whilst my time in Ghana. I always had fun with the kids from class 2 (7-9 years) and started bonding with them early on. The best times in school were the breaks, when all the kids come and talk, play and have fun with you. After a few weeks, Frank offered me to choose another placement to take part in so I decided to work on the farm once a week. There, I was lucky to meet Atobi, one of the purest hearts I have ever met which made it so easy to be on that farm even though it was hard work every week. The farm work was even more rewarding than school but also in a different way as you immediately notice the progress you made. Besides from work, I had a lot of freedom to do what I wanted to and the volunteers were always encouraged to organise weekend trips. I saw a lot of Ghana, such as the Wli Waterfalls, Cape Coast, Kokrobite and more. If there was no weekend trip planned, we often went partying with everyone and sometimes made spontaneous trips to lakes or pools closer to the volunteer house in Aduamoa. During my time in Ghana I also had the great opportunity to meet a lot of locals and not only did I spend a lot of time with them but also made friends for life with some of them. I am still in contact with them and hope to see them again soon. I will try my best to come back to Ghana as it was one of the best times of my life.

Pros
  • Authentically experience life in Ghana
  • Meaningful projects with direct impact
Default avatar
Ulysse
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Just loved it

Thank you. I loved my time in Ghana, from the moments spent teaching the kids to when we travelled across the country on weekends, our "family nights", and of course Dom's famous Twi lessons. Day and night, the support team was there to make sure things ran smoothly, always listening and making sure we were confortable. Getting to learn from other volunteers, as well as discovering a country rich in culture, traditions (and with delicious food) will make your trip to Ghana unforgettable! Don't hesitate anymore, join Atlas Volunteers!!

Pros
  • Impactful
  • Family-like environment
  • Cheap
Default avatar
INGRID
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience with all the Atlas team

These 4 months were so nice!
I could test a lot of placement : turtles, plastic, teaching and reforestation!
I really enjoyed being part of this adventure and get to interact with the local life in a safe environment.
The team is always making sure we feel confortable in placement. They are proactive to find ways to improve how we feel about our impact but also the community life in the house. We are also free to bring our own ideas.
There is lot of activities planned in free time (twi lessons, family night, ...) The team also help us to organize weekend trip.
I also loved the environment surounded by trees and bird sing, when it is season you can even harvest lemons.

Pros
  • The relationship built with kids at school is so special
  • Nice environment
  • Family atmosphere
Cons
  • i wish we could eradicate plastic :)
Default avatar
Saman
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Forget IVHQ, choose Atlas Volunteers for a local experience!

It's more than volunteering, the people are what made this experience so enjoyable! Such great value for money and the work you are doing IS making a difference. Forget IVHQ, choose Atlas Volunteers for a local experience! By far, the most genuine and honest NGO I've volunteered for.
From the moment I stepped off the plane, everything was taken care of. The volunteer house was basic yet had everything you needed. The staff were incredible and a joy to be around. There was plenty of opportunities to travel and sightsee on weekends and weekdays after volunteering. There's something real special about Africa and Atlas volunteers encompasses that so well.

Pros
  • Value for money
  • Authenticity of the volunteering programme
  • Staff are supportive and super fun
Default avatar
Maria
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Atlas

I was a bit nervous about eventually getting to the atlas home because of the multiple hours drive in the taxi but as soon as I met Asare the driver I felt relieved as he is such a nice guy,he even bought me food on the way home. When i got to the house i was surprised.Atlas home is a really good maintained and clean place.But it was not the house itself that made me feel welcome and safe but the people there. Rhi,Dom,Frank,Lydia and of course Sam were really there for whatever the volunteers needed ,big plus they are great people i had the best time with them, definitely a reason to go back.The kids and all the teachers in the hweehwee school ,where i was doing reading clubs ,were absolutely amazing and so loving. I really miss Ghana and the chill,warm and friendly people there, hopefully i will manage to come back!Thank you atlas team for everything!

Pros
  • Wonderful people
  • Supportive team

Programs

Displaying 1 - 1 of 1

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Dominic Nyarko

Job Title
Project Coordinator
Ghana or go home
Dominic Nyarko

What is your favorite travel memory?

It's hard to choose as I've been to different places for different vibes.
I've been to Kokrobite for the party vibes with the rastafarian community, and also going to Keta (meet me there) which was incredible. To stay in this eco friendly hotel was really relaxing.
Then Busua, one of my favourite place to go, surfing, even though I'm not great at it but it didn't matter because there were people who are always there to teach you and it was an incredible place to spend a weekend. Day trips to the volta lake is always great too

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I'm opened minded to The idea of working on sustainable projects. Working with people from different backgrounds with different ideologies has made me become the person I always wanted to be. Being open minded and being able to tolerate other people no matter their gender,race or sexuality. I'm glad to work on sustainable projects which makes almost a lifetime impact.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Leaving a current job to do a humanitarian job just because she came to Ghana for six weeks. Meeting strangers who became best friends and with some I can call family. The simplicity of life in Ghana is the reason why I'm going to move there, the people there are so welcoming and always with a smile on their faces and most of them always ready to help.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

Any project that is sustainable, A gender equality programme, or Women empowerment programme.

Sustainability is key to most of the projects we do because most volunteer projects has been designed to satisfy the volunteer and after they are gone back to their various countries, some projects doesn't continue.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Working with people from different backgrounds but always making it feels like a family.
Measurement of impact is our key objective.
Creating a bond between our volunteers and the locals. Also, it's cheap.We engage out volunteers in projects that impact can be measured. We would rather a short term volunteer plant trees whiles a longer term volunteer helping with teaching in local schools.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Passion, Transparency, Making client feels very important, and Hard working workers.

Every company wants hard working workers but when they are passionate about the work they do, it makes it easier and success will be assured.
And after being passionate about your job, you have to make sure everyone understands what the company is about without hiding anything from anyone.