Projects Abroad Volunteer Programs in Ghana

Projects Abroad truly gave me an opportunity like no other. I was placed in the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua. I worked in both the Pediatric and Maternity units, abs I had the opportunity to work very closely with doctors, nurses, and patients. I also participated in outreach twice a week; on these days we would make house calls and go to schools. We consistently made a house call for a woman who had a massive cellulitis, but could not afford to get treatment in the hospital. Someone went to check on her and change her dressings just about everyday, but the two days of the week we had outreach we would go as well. Then, after that we would set up a station at the school and treat kids for ringworm, and clean and bandage their wounds. One of the days I participated we treated 100 kids all of whom had more than one wound. This was truly a great experience and the staff was amazing in helping with placement or if I ever had any questions.

The company makes sure you are safe and placed into a good and sweet family and they really cares about you.
They make fun activities and help if you want to travel around with other volunteers in the weekends.

If you want to stay local and learn a culture from the inside, then you should definitely travel with Projects Abroad. Often you learn, that no matter how faraway from your home country you are, you still have a lot in common with the people in the new country.

I would recommend to travel with Projects Abroad.

I had no idea when I signed up to join Projects Abroad quite how profound an impact my time in Ghana would have on me. I started out a young, probably naive, amateur football coach. I wanted to experience something different, have some fun, and learn how football was coached in a different country. I got this and much more. I can honestly say that I met some incredible people from all around the world, made memories to last a lifetime, and developed new skills that you just can't get without going outside your comfort zone. The football was amazing, the people were fantastic, and Projects Abroad couldn't have been more helpful. The Projects Abroad staff went out of their way to make me feel safe and help me settle in. They were there every step of the way. I'd recommend it to anyone with a sense of adventure - you won't regret it!

I did this experience last summer (2019) and, I think, it was the best choice I could make: to leave alone, go to another continent and help others. It wasn't easy to adapt to African culture, to their rhythms, to their ways of relating, to their food. It was hard to have no bathroom (but a mass grave), no shower (but a bucket), to live in precarious hygienic conditions; but it was a fantastic experience! I confess that I had moments of psychological failure (not because I wanted to go home, but for what my eyes saw and my ears listened). Little episodes marked my experience in Ghana.
I saw happy children for a simple hug or for a little candy.
I saw children licking a candy card to the last millimeter (and sometime eat it) ... because who knows when they can have another one again.
I saw children who, despite having only one biscuit for themselves or a small ration of food, always shared what they had with other children who had nothing.
I saw children having fun with nothing: a broken-down little car or 2 chewed crayons for hunger, but these little babies were happy because they were full of energy and creativity.
I knew an invincible host, who is fighting her breast cancer from countless years, but who, despite everything, is full of life and wants to do everything possible to ensure a future for her little 12-year-old daughter.
I met a teacher who is fighting from 26 years to welcome children up to 5 years into her school to stimulate them to learn English (so they can have the bases to go to school and study and build a better future for themselves and their own land). She, with the help of some other inexperienced teacher and some Projectsabroad volunteers, currently welcomes over 80 children: she is often tired, but she is always extremely positive and ready to do everything for her community! She hopes that those children won't be future homeless and / or drug addicts.

The most unique aspect of my volunteering experience was not only mixing with new people on the trip, but mixing with Ghanaians. Such as our host family, people in the communities and schools and specially our Supervisor Philip. He was so caring making sure we were happy at all times, he pushed us to our limits and filled the whole day with life changing activities. We still keep in contact with everyone we met there and so it’s such a memorable experience. What is also amazing is the envolvement even after you’e left. Even today I am still discussing fundraising to donate to a school we visited. It was also very good how the staff visited us at our homes regularly to make sure we were okay. It was extremely amazing how we had a great taste of their culture, playing ball games outside at night, but also showing them some of our culture and our games.

My experience in Ghana was the best experience I have had. Being part of a different culture and they way they do things was eye opening and has inspired me to want to go back. Working in a special needs school was the incredible, it has allowed me to realise my passion to work with special needs individuals permanently. My projects abroad manager was amazing and was there for any problems or worries I had. The staff at the school were lovely and incredibly grateful for what I did. Activities were planned by my projects abroad manger to ensure we got the most out of our stay and got a true feeling of what it is like to live in Ghana. Giving back to the community (painting a classroom) was a great experience, knowing that they children will benefit. I can’t wait to go back!

I decided to travel to Ghana for the medical volunteering program to understand if medicine was really the degree I wanted to study. It was pleasing to know I was following the right path, which wouldn’t have been possible without this experience.

The first impression was not really good, as I arrived to the airport and found an unpleasing weather and couldn’t find the staff members who were supposed to take me to the hotel. But after this first moment, I felt very welcomed. I spent the first night in the capital (Accra) and the day after traveled to Cape Coast, where I met the other volunteers. I believe that what made my experience special, besides the wonderful activities, was my group, that was composed by a variety of nationalities. Thanks to them, I developed team work abilities, time management, and learned not only about Ghana’s culture, but also about my friends’ culture.

All the bonding was linked to the activities I did, such as community services, travels to the leprosy camp, awareness lessons about malaria and cholera in local schools and day spent at the city hospital to observe the nurse and doctors’ work. I couldn’t have done none of them without the help of our supervisor, Mohammed, that was always careful to show us the right procedures and made sure everything was fine.

The only complain I would make is about the food, which wasn’t very good, but bearable for three weeks.

I hope everyone who decides to live the same experience will find it as pleasing and amazing as I did. And I strongly recommend this program to any student who is studying, or willing to, medicine. :))

Volunteering abroad is one of the most rewarding and fun things you can do. I spent 3 weeks in Ghana and I loved every minute of it. I have made life long friends from Ghana and other volunteers I met there. The projects are safe, fun and you will learn a lot as long as you throw yourself into the experience. I did physiotherapy and got to interact with patients under supervision. I also did some nursing at local camps that are provided free health services from Projects Abroad. There is always support from staff if you need it and the staff are very friendly and approachable. My advice would be to throw yourself into the culture and make the most of it. When it comes to going home, you really will miss it. I highly recommend Projects Abroad for volunteering.