Atlas Volunteers

My time in Ghana with Atlas was simply phenomenal! At every level.

Atlas is a group of beautiful people always ready to help every single volunteer and that I admire since day one. They are always concerned about our well being and making sure that things are going well. Receiving all this support from an organization that we don't really know (at first) in a totally new country made me feel very comfortable since the first day :)

They are also always ready to listen to our ideas and discuss them, so no need to be shy :)

Working with the children was very special, challenging but very special. They are so genuine and pure! They are kind, really worry about us and are very curious. The teachers are also very helpful and friendly and are always ready to understand how to improve their teaching skills (I found this super important). When in the school you get a lot of freedom on what to do. Therefore, you get the chance to talk with the teachers and really understand what subjects/topics they need help with. Easily you become friends with the teachers and everything gets easier.

Ghana is a wonderful country with so many beautiful things to see and places to go, a massive culture to discover, delicious food and more important than everything: lovely and kind people!

Safety was never an issue and travelling between places is also easy. Free time activities were also not a problem, we just have to be creative. There are many interesting things to do!

There are still many more things to say about this fantastic programme and about ATLAS but to sum up: I stayed in Ghana longer than what I was meant to and that was the best decision I made in the last couple of years ;)

Medase ATLAS!

In January 2019, I traveled to Ghana to partake in a 4 week volunteer program in the small rural community of Pepease, Kwahu.

Through this experience, I was able to create lifelong friendships and immerse myself into the Ghanaian lifestyle. I spent majority of the 4 weeks teaching in a small school in a nearby community and can genuinely say, that of all the things ever I've done, this was by far the most rewarding. The students welcomed me into their classroom with open arms, curiosity and excitement. We spent our time engaging in learning activities, playing games, creating artworks and enjoying every opportunity to learn grow from one another. I still maintain very regular contact with my beautiful teacher George and some of the other teachers who formed close bonds with me in the school.

This is by far one of the best organisations I’ve been associated with. The application process was easy to navigate and the overall organisation of the volunteer program was impeccable. I knew I was in good hands from the beginning as the team at Atlas provided me with all the information I needed and kept me constantly informed/updated in the lead up to the trip. The team provided accommodation, travel, airport pick up/drop off and even went as far as to help with any extra adventuring that myself and other team members took part in outside of the program. I am forever grateful to Atlas volunteers/The Bryan Acheampong Foundation for providing an opportunity I will never forget! I highly recommenced this to anyone thinking about giving it a go!!! I could not speak more highly of the professionalism and I recommend this to anyone thinking about giving it a go!

Hi everyone !
I had the chance to stay 2 months at the volunteer house in Pepease.
I worked in Primary school for both vacation and regular school, and helped in Junior high school in Abetifi, and I just loved the experience!
Libby and Sam from Atlas are so supportive and made me confortable as soon as I arrived, and the atmosphere at the volunteer house is so friendly and convivial.
I enjoyed every trips around Ghana we have made during long weekends we had :)
Thank you for this great time in Ghana!

I spent a total 5 weeks in the volunteer house - which was located in a small town called pepeasi. I was volunteering as a teacher and an assistant in a local clinic. Teaching took part in kotoso which was two town away from where we lived. Atlas were great as they arranged daily travel to and back from the placements, during the entire duration of my visit.

Staff and SAM, and Richmond were always available to answer any questions you may have. And willing to give advice / help you with anything.

The school was nice, with the best kids and and colleagues, all being very welcoming and helpful. Same goes for the clinic placement.

Overall I had an amazing time there, and am very grateful for all the experience I was able to endure on. If I could return I would, in a heartbeat.

The house itself is situated within a very safe area up in the mountains. It was very clean, and had running water & electricity ( which are very luxurious in Ghana).

Placements would usually start at 8 am. Ending at 3pm. And after which you’re free to do whatever you’d like. Weekends ofcourse are yours to spend how you see fit; whether thag be chilling at the house, swimming, or going to cape coast / safari parks.

You may find activities being slightly limited up near the house. However bigger cities such as Kumasi and Accra are close by, which has much more going out. Especially Accra which has many European activities around.

So really I’d recommend this programme, especially with Atlas.! As I had the best of times with them. So I’m sure you will too.

Cheers Atlas & Sam.

Dan

This was my first experience of solo travel and I loved every minute. I was pretty hesitant at first but after speaking to a friend about his trip to Ghana I decided to give it a go and I’m so glad I did!

I didn't have any teaching experience but I was soon helped to plan and complete a lesson with the other volunteers. The children are always so happy and grateful to learn which makes you feel like you're really making an input. The project was really flexible and the work to holiday ratio was great for me.

In the free time in the weekdays the other volunteers and I would relax in the house, play card games and have a few drinks on the night. There’s also a beautiful waterfall nearby and the local town where you can go to. On the weekends we would go to different parts of Ghana to do the touristy parts, such as the canopy walk, the safari park, the slave castles and to the beach resorts.

The friendships I’ve formed through going to Ghana are amazing, because you spend a lot of time with each other and are often all experiencing a totally new environment, it creates such a close family like bond. Sam, the coordinator, is so helpful and supportive and puts you at ease straight away.

Ghana is a beautiful, friendly and mesmerising country, be prepared to fall in love with a lot of amazing people!