Vocational Impact

I found it very easy to settle in, everyone at the house is very open and welcoming. I worked well and hard for the hospital as well, it all went very well.
I got to carry out work that was directly related to my university course – mostly related to the hospital, involved in lessons with doctors, and seeing patients. I also worked in the psychiatric ward. It was all interesting regardless of the language barrier. I went out with the community outreach team and visited the women who receive support for their children’s education and mothers who need support taking care of their kids.

The most educational element for me however was being at the hospital and getting lessons from the doctors.

Being with the children were definitely some of the best moments I had in my life. The children were wonderful, i spent a lot of time with them, studying, playing ,drawing.
Manmohan was always there to support me in whatever I wanted to do.

Settling in was great as I knew exactly who to talk to if there were any issues. Myself and another volunteer had a fantastic welcome to the children's foundation. We were set with the task of counselling three children at the children's home. I always looked forward to the afternoons with the children. I feel I made an impact at the home and it was amazing to develop bonds with some of the kids.

Ankaful psychiatric hospital is where we gained our most hands-on experience with psychiatric patients. I found the clinics so educational.

I would say that, particularly due to the nature of this placement, and mental health awareness in Ghana, volunteers should be aware that there is a difference in approaches and there is some work to spread awareness of mental health topics, such as depression and anxiety.

I think volunteers should be prepared to go in with an open mind and be encouraged to have the moto that "you get out what you put in" - so just don't hold back, say yes to everything (within reason) and go looking for experiences above and beyond.
It is nothing like one can experience in the UK and just gives a fresh perspective on life. It has made me appreciate so much more of life.

I had an amazing and transformative time on this programme. It gave me valuable work experience which has contributed to my career pathway. Moses and the team were communicative, and we were supported through any issues we experienced along the way. I had an incredible time and felt that I was able to explore a foreign country in a completely safe and supportive environment. The work the charity are doing on the ground is unbelievable and extremely impactful, and getting to witness it firsthand and be a part of it was really special.

Volunteering in Ghana was a unique and eye-opening experience that offered me both personal and professional growth. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed by both the locals and the staff on my programmee. Working with such a small, dedicated team impressed me, and I was able to learn a lot about the justice system through hands-on experiences. I particularly enjoyed the field trips, which included visits to four prisons, discussions with lawyers, and insightful briefings with police officers. These experiences allowed me to deeply engage with the criminal justice system in Ghana and compare it to the UK.

The placement not only broadened my understanding of global justice issues but also helped me develop practical employability skills. I participated in the production of documentaries highlighting prisoners’ stories, which was both eye-opening and educational. Outside of work, I explored the beautiful country, visiting national landmarks and meeting welcoming people, which made my time in Ghana unforgettable.