Program Reviews

It was my first time in Africa and I am very happy to had my first experiences there with Atlas Volunteers. It was a very nice and eventful time in Ghana, experiences that I wish everyone to have. I went there alone for a month. Both before departure and during my trip, I always felt that I was in good hands. On site you are together with many other volunteers and it is very important for the Organisation that there is a sense of community and that nobody feels alone. At the same time, you can withdraw at any time, whenever you want. In my month I managed to completely renovate an entire school and create a suitable place for the children to learn. All of this was possible because Frank did a very good job of organizing the project and Dom actively supported me in the work. Without this support the project would never have been so successful. In the end we were able to paint the school with all the volunteers - a great group community. In order to make an impact on site, I recommend everyone to go there for at least 1 month, rather more. I wish everyone a great time there, you won't regret it.

I have just completed my third trip with Atlas Volunteers, this time I lived there for 8 months. There are lots of reasons I keep going back and will continue to. The support system and the Atlas Family is supportive and passionate about yhe projects and making sure that every volunteer thar is safe, happy and enjoying their stay as well as being fulfilled by whatever project they are in. Atlas is very flexible as well in the sense that if a volunteer wanted to change projects or extend, staff is available 24/7 to help you out. Ghana is one of the safest places  I have evwr traveled, I tell everyone that I feel more safe going out in Ghana alone then I do at home  (California, USA). I loved my Ghana life, traveling around the country on the weekends, going to the local markets, and going to school during the week. And i had the unique opportunity to watch change happen. Usually people omly have trips for a couple of monthsm But because I was there for longer I got to see plants grow, schools built and children grow. You usually can't see the impact you've made in such a short time, but I've seen Atlas Volunteers work. And I can't wait to go hack in the coming years to see how they've grown!

From the first evening I spent in pepease I felt really welcome and during the first few days I got fastly integrated into the group. The Projects with kids were very fun and I had the feeling I may have had an impact on the children. The coordinators that I met during my stay were really helpful especially Dom and Frank. Frank helped me ease into the project in the first few days and was always there and easy to talk to. The same goes for Dom who also helped us organizing trips on the weekend. I never felt left alone in 2 month that I was in Ghana. The house that I was living in had an unbelievable view every morning and it was a very calming atmosphere in general.
Lastly the rest of the organization that I have met like Richmond and Sam have also always been nice. I think I met most of the organizers during my stay which helped me identify with the organization easier and faster.

Volunteering for Atlas in Ghana was my best decision so far!
It was my first time in Africa, all by myself, not knowing what to expect. But honestly, I have never felt lost or unsafe. Dom, Frank, and Sam are experienced and passionate in what they do. They will make you feel at home and give you a lot of guidance, both in the project and during the rest of your time in Ghana.
During my project, there was room for helping with other projects as well, which made it really diverse and fun! I worked with the local community directly, which made the project of high impact and value. The volunteering project is of course the main focus, but the time is flexible. You will have time to explore the rest of what Ghana has to offer (spoiler: A lot of good stuff!).
I would highly recommend Atlas!

Ghana was one of the most important experiences I had in my life. To be with people where nothing of your previous life matters is a situation everyone should be in. The Ghanaian culture allows you to have fun and joy in another way even in the school's its so normal to just dance and enjoy some moments with the students and the teachers. Being a part of Atlas Volunteers made me feel like home. All the people caring for you and you can feel completely safe. Also the fact that you have still your own life there is really important. Your day isn't planed you have your own choice what you want to do in your freetime. Meeting people from all over the word is something you cannot have in so many places but here. Learning from other cultures and making friends who will last for ever and to feel yourself in a way you feel completely comfortable with. That's Ghana for me.

On my arrival, I was very well received by the atlas team and the other volunteers, I stayed 4 months with them in Ghana and I was not disappointed with the trip, the mission met my expectations.
By getting involved, there is a real possibility to have an impact in the schools with which the association works.
I highly recommend going there if you like, or want to discover how is it to work with children.
The accommodation is of very good quality and well maintained, the area is also beautiful.

I am 18 years old, I wanted to do a real volunteering program.
And with “real” I mean helping people, being needed in a project created with the only purpose of giving and not receiving, that wanted to make a change and not money. In other words, something impossible to find.

That is what I thought until the day I arrived to Atlas. The transparency, mentality, and the desire to make a better world that they have is unbelievable and really admirable. I stayed only for a month and I could learn so much more that I could give. I really want people to feel what I felt, to live what I lived, to have what for me was the best experience of my life.

Furthermore, I would like to encourage people to take the step as I did, I promise that you will never regret it and will some day tell your experience as fascinated as I am

It is an incredible and unforgettable experience where we bring new knowledge to the children who are very happy and grateful.
Community life allows you to meet beautiful people of different nationalities, which promotes an exchange of culture. Morever we can travel for tourism, it's really great.
the people of the association are always attentive to our questions and our needs, they are super caring.
The realization of theme evenings allows everyone to get to know each other and always have a good time.
Life at home is very comfortable and pleasant.

It was a huge human experience for me, I enjoyed my trip and lived an incredible adventure. It took me a while to find a good volunteering organisation and I am so glad I found this one.
The best part of the trip was clearly meeting amazing people from Ghana and from all over the world. The landscapes are also breathtaking and meeting local people in their environement, learning from them et their culture was a blessing. I don't know if the work I did over there will really be useful in the futur but overall it was a life changing experience thanks to the people.

Where do I start. There are so many areas of this project which are amazing. I was quite nervous about travelling alone for the first time, but as soon as I was introduced to everyone I knew I would be ok. I felt that I was really lucky at the time I arrived, as there was an amazing group of people already in Abetifi. This made it really easy to adjust. I hadn't really planned on doing a lot of teaching when I first arrived, but it is hard not to when you see the impact that Atlas has.

A huge positive to Atlas is the amount of flexibility. Whilst I had applied for the Football academy, I was also given the opportunity to try almost every project. This was great as it meant that I could say that I tried everything. It was also great how flexible everyone was regarding trips and excursions, as we had the opportunity to travel to other parts of Ghana.

Everyone involved in the organisation is very friendly and helpful. If there are any issues that arise, or if there is anything that you are not sure about, then there is always someone that you can ask, either at the house or by phone. I didn't really know what to expect when I arrived regarding the safety of the place, but I can truly say that I did not have a moment where I was worried about my personal safety or my belongings.

I only stayed at the project for 5 weeks which was not nearly long enough, but in this time it allowed me to experience what life is like for people in Ghana, as well as build relationships with people I would otherwise not have met, and that I will keep in touch with for many years to come.