Most Affordable & Trusted Volunteer Programs in Ghana from $270

One piece of advice I would have wished to know prior to going on is the demographics of the people I visited. For example, while I knew we would be in a rural area with people who were low-income, I did not know their profession, that is, that they were subsistence farmers who had children and that these children would come to our local residence after school daily and play with us. Had I known that many of the locals were subsistence farmers with children, I might have brought gifts that were more tailored to children (for example, crayons, soccer balls, a skateboard, pens, paper, notebooks, arts and crafts, musical instruments, and more) and for the adults (gauze, ace bandages, aspirin, ibuprofen, Neosporin ointment for cuts, and various work gloves to help them in farming).

An average day goes as follows:

• 5:30 AM--> Wake up to my alarm and take off the mosquito net above my bunk bed sitting next to 10 other bunkbeds in the "Guys" dorm room.
• 6 AM - 6:30 AM--> Go outside and use the squat toilet for men and fill up my water at the pump to use to brush my teeth, wash my face, and floss.
• 6:45 AM - 7 AM--> Eat a delicious meal prepared by our cook, Tina.
• 7:05 AM - 7:35 AM--> Walk to our site where we did construction.
• 12 PM - 12:30 PM--> Walk back or take a small motor bike to our compound.
• 12:45 PM - 1:45 PM--> Eat another delicious meal made by our cook and take a bucket shower in the outdoors, which feels so great.
• 2 PM - 3:30 PM--> Hang out with the nearby children and other volunteers at our compound as they finish school.
• 4 PM - 5 PM--> Nap.
• 5 PM - 6:30 PM--> More talking with volunteers or venturing out into town via tro-tro (a small bus carrying close to 12-15 people - think a Mercedez Sprinter van if you need a picture, but less classy and expensive, hehe).
• 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM--> Eat another delicious meal made by our cook.
• 8 PM - 10 PM--> Hang with volunteers and sleep the night away to the sound of crickets, roosters clucking, and drums in the distance.

WEEKENDS are FREEEEE and we did fun activities, woot!

My largest fear was becoming sick. I really did not want to become sick on the trip, so I was meticulous about the water I used (making sure to drink only bottled water or sachet/bagged water [yes, that is a real deal in Ghana... Bagged water] and wash my hands often). I brought a small bottle of antiseptic hand sanitzer and also made sure to eat only cooked meals. I did have a bout of traveler's diahrrea, but it lasted like 2 hours, and it was from eating a mushy pineapple, so yeah. I have to say I deserved that one, heh!

I would probably say many travelers would want to know if there is WiFi in the area, and the answer is yes and no. Yes, if you purchase a SIM card, but no in the sense that it requires data.

Will there be hiking? Yes. The children will take you hiking and will hack any brush away with a metal stick that cleaves away bushes.

Will it be fun? Yes.

Will it be a vacation like going to Europe? No, but it will blow your mind and have you think twice about what "vacation" means.

Is it worth it, though? You know the answer to that one.... ^_^ :) :)

In Africa, bring as few clothes as possible, and nothing with long sleeves and long pants. Clothes can be washed daily if necessary. Insect repellents are only required at night, as they simply wash away in the daytime by the heat. Bring anti-malaria medication and personal toiletries, and a small first aid kit.

My advice: DO NOT WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING! You will be with an outstanding group of people and you will have a fantastic adventure.

Because of the heat in Ghana, all 10 of us only worked in the mornings.

In construction, we left for our 30-minute walk to the site around 6:30 am and it was an enjoyable walk, as everybody waved and greeted us. We returned to our compound around noon on motorbikes.

The childcare group prepared breakfast and lunch for the school children and were finished by 1 pm. Their school was only a 5-minute walk. Afternoons and evenings were spent reading, playing games, interacting with the children.

Weekends were for sightseeing, usually gone for 2 days (at our expense).

I had no fears, no concerns. The website provides all the information that you need about your program. The country website (tourism) provides the rest.

As for safety, always remember that you are in a group. There are no safety concerns at the placement site, and we traveled on weekends in groups for 8 or more. Local people are very hospitable and helpful. You will soon discover that you have no worries.

Enjoy your stay.