Program Reviews

I was there for only nine weeks. In those nine weeks I learned a lot about myself but also about other people. It is hard to describe what it can do for a person to make such a journey. You have to do it on your own to understand how wonderful it is. I met a lot of really nice people in Ghana. Not only adults also children who inspired me in so many ways. The culture is so different compared to what I‘m used to. The people are so welcoming and nice there is no other way to enjoy it. For me the most important moment was when I looked over the mountains in Ghana and realized that my character developed a lot in this time and I never want to loose this part of my character ever again

I am very satisfied after doing this volunteering! The place is gorgeous, safe, and perfect to disconnect while you contribute to the purpose. You clean the beach, do hatchery maintenance, build a footbridge, do site planting, and patrol to find the turtles laying eggs. The staff is awesome. They make activities almost every day for the volunteers after work. Twit lessons, local food cooking lessons, bonfire night, and more! There is a beautiful village nearby with a lighthouse with amazing views.

My first time in Ghana was in 2023 I spent 6 weeks with Atlas and I quickly realized that this was not enough time, so I came back for another 4 months.
I felt very well looked after from the beginning on because there was always someone there for me, the staff are very friendly and you can talk to them about anything.

Also I felt very welcomed by the other volunteers, who come from all over the world. I spent the first week at school watching how everything worked and learning about the differences in culture.

Then I started with the Reading Club and practiced reading and English with the children and played a few math games. The children also loved drawing, especially when they could color something. But the special and enchanting thing for me is how happy you can make the children with these little things and see the sparkle in their eyes and the gratitude and love they give you. That’s really fulfilling and that's why I wanted to come back for a longer time, because I wanted to help and teach the children so much more and I noticed how the trust had built up.

When I came back, I brought lots of pencils, erasers, sharpeners, and books so that every child was provided for and they were incredibly happy about that too.

In addition to the school and the great work with the children, there are so many other great things about Atlas and Ghana.

You are not tied to one program but can try out other projects at any time by arrangement, such as farming, ecobricking, football academy, reforestation, etc.. So you never get bored and it is also very exciting to see and explore more of nature and get to know new places when you plant new trees, for example.

Another very, very positive point is that you live together with the staff and volunteers like a family. I got on really well with everyone and you quickly made great new friends. We sat outside together almost every evening and had lots of great conversations or played games together or went to a bar and sang karaoke and danced. We also had very interesting conversations about Ghana and its culture, rituals, and customs, and Dom answered all our questions. There was also a Twi lesson once a week when Dom taught us his language.

At the weekends you also have great opportunities to discover more of Ghana and you have the free time and choice of what you want to do. There are great waterfalls and hikes, you can go to the sea or to the national park, to monkey sanctuaries or to the nearest big city.

You can buy something to eat at the street stalls for reasonable prices, there were noodle dishes or rice dishes and very tasty local red bean dishes. There are also lots of delicious fresh fruits or you can buy fresh vegetables and other foods to cook at home, that’s what I mostly did.

Another special point is the people from Ghana. They are incredibly warm, greet you in a friendly manner, and are very open. They are also very happy if you try to speak Twi with them and are interested in their culture. You could talk to almost anyone and I never felt in danger, even when I was on my own. The children on the street also love it when you play with them and they especially love the music. Even the children can dance really well and I was happy to let them teach me haha.

Overall, I just felt very, very comfortable and it was incredibly hard to say goodbye after 4 months, it became like my second home. I got to know the most amazing and nicest people and as everyone is enchanted by this place in their own way, I think you also interact with others in a very special way.
It was also my first volunteer experience in Africa and I am incredibly grateful for everything and glad that I dared to do it, you really learn a lot in life and will never forget this time again.

I missed it very much and that’s why I came back this year for another two months. It was a very special moment to return after one year and I was so excited. When I arrived the schools were on summer vacation and that’s why we did summer school for the first five weeks of my stay. First I taught English with two other volunteers and later I also taught creative arts. It was a lovely experience to get to know a new school and so many new children and to have new experiences in teaching a whole class. It was not so easy in the beginning though but once the kids got to know you and how the lesson was going to take place it was so much fun to teach them. In the week after summer school, we also helped paint a school near Lake Volta which was really fun.

In my last weeks, I finally got to visit my school from last year again and continued with the reading club with the same class. After the kids recognized me it was like I never left. I had some great conversations with them and it made me really proud to see how they improved their reading skills this past year. It was only a few weeks with them which made it even harder to say goodbye but I’m so glad that I had this opportunity to see them again. I hope I can continue to come back.

I had an awesome time in Ghana. From the beginning I felt very welcome and comfortable in the project. The coordinators were all very kind and helpful and reached out to me even before my trip and helped me with any questions or when I needed anything. The project itself was great. In addition to the beach patrols, we had the chance to contribute to the camps and hatchery maintenance, do farming, recycle plastics and clean the beach. We were also able to contribute our own ideas at any time. The highlight was of course seeing the hatchlings and releasing them into the sea. After the project we always had enough free time and the coordinators always made an effort to arrange some activities. Every night we had activities like "Twi lessons", "family night", or a bonfire, which I enjoyed very much. I had an unforgettable time, learned a lot about life in Ghana, got to know a lot of people and am very grateful for everything.

I have travelled to Ghana to volunteer with Atlas on three separate occasions now, the first being March 2023 for just over two weeks, the second for 6 months (as I loved it so much) from November 2023 to April 2024 and most recently September 2024 for two and half a weeks. I loved all three times I was there. I volunteered in Education and on sports projects with the school and an additional programme of supporting the football academy on the evenings. I loved the projects as you get so involved from day one at the schools within the young Ghaniain community helping in the classrooms supporting kids that need extra help with subjects such as English, Maths and anything you can help in to be honest. You get to really embrace in the culture there and the day to day lives of these people and take your own role. When comfortable you can even teach your own class. I liked to stick to one class for consistency but also sometimes when required you could help other classes. The trips around Ghana are really good and something for everyone from beautiful coastlines to hiking amongst others and very interesting to travel on public transport to get an experience. Nice big volunteer house with large outdoor areas and tables you can sit at in the evenings with the other volunteers, make friends and have a good time with when the projects finish for the day. The team are really helpful and on hand when you need something or someone. I loved Ghana and albeit will be some time but I am certain to be coming back time and time again in the future.

During my time in Ghana, I volunteered at a primary school in Abetifi, where I supported the teachers and worked closely with the children. My days started with rides to school, where I was welcomed each day by the enthusiastic smiles of the children. At school, I helped with various activities, from assisting the children during their lessons to organizing playtime. I enjoyed creating a safe and playful environment where the children could learn and have fun.

In addition to my work at the school, I also had the chance to get to know the local community better and participate in cultural events, which enriched my experience even more. The Atlas staff were always available and ready to help me with any questions or challenges. Thanks to their support and the warm welcome from the community, I quickly felt at home, even though I was far from my own home.

This experience was not only an opportunity to contribute to education but also to build strong connections with the children and local people. A lifetime experience! I hope I can visit again soon.

I really enjoyed this project a lot! Before my arrival, the coordinators Sam, Rii and Emmanuel were all very helpful and reached out to me to make sure I didn’t need anything or had any questions. Moreover, the project itself was very nice and I really felt like I made a difference. I especially liked that it was scheduled what we had to do throughout the week but at the same time, Rii and Emmanuel made it very flexible so adjustments could be made according to our needs as volunteers. Lastly, one thing I really appreciated was how engaged Rii and Emmanuel themselves were in the project - both regarding the turtles but they also took the initiative to arrange some afternoon activities and on the weekends as well in which they took part themselves. This added to the “family feeling” and was a big part of my experience. Even though most of our work was from morning til around midday, every day we had a theme for the afternoon/night such as “family dinner” or “twi lessons” which I enjoyed a lot. It made us closer as a group and it was a great opportunity to get to know the Ghanaian culture and each other better. I want to give a lot of credit to Rii and Emmanuel as I saw how hard they are working to make everyone feel welcomed and included. Moreover, they had a great way of communicating the terms of the project and the expectations in a clear and professional way while they at the same time made it clear that our opinions as a volunteer is highly appreciated. They truly made it feel like one big teamwork - as it should be, so thank you!

Great experience. This experience allowed a new part of me to come out. I want to come back in the future, and I want to try a new project because now I want to discover other new things in Ghana and about me. In this experience, I discovered one of the biggest fortunes of my life, and this gave and give me a strong motivation to follow my passion. In this experience, I had the fortune to be able to choose what to do with my life. So I understand that I am very lucky to have my life, and the possibility to follow my passion.

I've stayed with Atlas multiple times now and will continue to return. The variety of projects and opportunities for weekend trips means there is something for everyone.

I feel safe and at home at all times, the team are all very supportive. There is always someone on hand for advise with projects or support around the house. The house has a communal feel, there's something going on most evenings but without being on a restrictive schedule. The area is welcoming and easy to get around so you can quickly gain independence.

I have to admit I was out of my comfort zone and a bit apprehensive to travel to Ghana at first but I had the most amazing time. I loved that there were different projects to choose from like teaching in schools and ecobricking (sadly turtle conservation wasn’t there when I was). The vibe from the locals and all the staff was amazing and I couldn’t fault them. The accommodation meant that everyone was together and could share the experience, play games and have themed nights. I was collected from the airport by the organisation which made the process much easier. If you’re looking to push yourself out of your comfort zone this is a great opportunity.