GVI: Volunteer in Ghana

Amazing experience! I cannot explain this in any other way. This has been the best experience of my life so far! From start to finish it was incredible.
I completed 4 weeks in Ghana with GVI, as a JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) volunteer and was able to partake in a number of different projects. My favourite being ‘self-care for boys’ teaching about mental health and ways to look after it.
The work GVI undertakes in the community of Kokrobite has such a positive impact particularly in the schools that projects are undertaken. I worked with some amazing staff and participants that all showed tremendous dedication to the work we were carrying out. The staff were all so welcoming from start to finish, always available if needed or just for a chat about life in general. The conversations had here will be held dear to me for many years to come.
My time in Ghana consisted of teaching, painting, playing in a football game, exploring the local community, and visiting other regions of Ghana. I learnt about the history of Cape Coast and had a weekend in Adda. The weekends were free time with GVI staff arranging trips for participants at an extra cost, I cannot recommend doing these trips enough!
I have been able to develop my skills and will take these with me for the rest of my life.
I would recommend GVI Ghana to absolutely anyone wanting to volunteer abroad and make an impact, this impact may not be seen but hopefully in the long term it’ll be there. It is important to keep an open mind and fully immerse yourself into the culture and opportunities available because this allowed me to experience so much more!
GVI Ghana has my heart, it will be a birthday I will never forget and hopefully I will be back soon 😊

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with GVI Ghana. The passion the staff show for the work here enables all participants to have a meaningful impact on the community in Kokrobite. The lessons taught to the children in school are designed and delivered in a way that offers maximum impact, creating last impressions that will hopefully benefit them for years to come. The culture on base is vibrant and friendly; it really feels like home. The community members are always so welcoming and seem genuinely happy that we are there. Thank you GVI Ghana for having me!

GVI Ghana changed my life. It was an experience that created core memories. I wish I was still there, trying to figure out how to get back as soon as possible. First day of training was necessary. It provides culturally relevant information to be a respectful guest in a community that warmly welcomes GVI participants. Take all the opportunities given to you to get to know the community and you’ll quickly fall in love. Stay curious while on base and you’ll learn from idealistic people from around the world. Give it all you got with an open mind and heart for the short time you're there- you’ll wish you never left!

My time at GVI Ghana was absolutely fantastic! The integration was seamless, the projects were interesting, and the people I met, including participants, staff, and community members, were truly incredible. I highly recommend this experience to anyone seeking to make a positive impact and gain deeper insights into Ghana and its culture. Despite my brief two-week stay in Kokrobite, I had a chance to explore other historically rich regions, eat local food, immerse myself in the culture, and overall grew as a person and broaden my perspective. Given my professional background, in the chocolate industry this opportunity was particularly valuable to me. It provided an incredible chance to expand my knowledge of Ghana's agriculture and the challenges posed by climate change. I am grateful to everyone involved for making this journey so memorable. Many Thanks! Nathalie.

I highly recommend GVI Ghana for anyone looking for a volunteering program to get involved with! In my 2 week program in Ghana I had a fantastic time meeting new people (both in the local community and with other volunteers), sightseeing around Ghana and spending time on projects helping out in local schools. There were a wide variety of programs available which the staff were happy to provide guidance on, and they all had a strong focus on sustainability. I was also pleasantly surprised by how much free time we were given and all the activities that were organised by staff members and the facilities were much nicer and more established than expected! Definitely no regrets signing up- the only downside is the constant sweating from the heat!

As my end date drew closer I realised that I did not at all feel ‘done’ here, after seeing my project start to actually impact the children I was teaching, I felt it would be too soon to leave. And, without question, the other contributing factors to my extension was the people I had met here and the like-minded nature of all the participants, being truly motivated by impacting the community in the best way they could, whether it be in environmental projects, education, or women’s empowerment, is something so inspiring to be amongst- they are people I likely would never have met had I not been in Ghana and were such an added bonus to my experience here. I was also involved in other projects such as Menstrual Health Management, teaching French as well as computer lessons for young girls.

I volunteered at GVI Ghana for 4 weeks on the women’s empowerment programme, and it was the most amazing experience- I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. There is a wide variety in the lessons and projects provided that you can get stuck in to- my favourites being gender based violence, menstrual health, and fit Ed - and within each of those you have the ability to help plan and deliver the classes. The team have a great relationship with the schools, and we work on other projects with them such as painting and beach cleans with the kids. The kids are amazing and definitely are one of the things that made my time there what it was- and I know many others felt the same. Gvi Ghana itself is incredible in its focus on making sure it's impact led, and above all else that all the work done is ethical. From day 1 there is a strong focus on the ethics of the work you’re doing which I believe is so so important, and is definitely something that stuck with me. Beyond your projects, you can spend free time on base which is a beautiful place to live; in Kokrobite which has many social places like Big Millys, Kokrobite gardens and an incredible beach; or there are organised trips every other weekend. These were such a highlight of the experience and you become immersed in the history and culture of Ghana, as well as getting to see some beautiful sights! I went to Volta and we hiked mountains, swam in waterfalls, saw monkeys, drank palm wine... it was the best weekend!! There are also weekend trips to Cape coast to see the historic slave castles, and to Ada. The staff are incredible- shoutout to Will for (sometimes) making everyone laugh, to Naa for her delicious cooking, to Joanna for her beautiful jewellery and much needed laundry service, and most of all to Matt for making GVI Ghana what it is. The base pets are the cutest little things as well (I was very close to putting them in my bag and taking them home)! The overall experience genuinely was amazing, I'm planning to go back already and I would urge anyone to go, you will not regret it. For me it was the best decision I ever made and I would do it a million times over again.

I loved my time at GVI Ghana but it definitely was difficult! You'll experience a lot of different things culturally but in the end it is very rewarding! Projects are hard sometimes just because of cultural differences and the work that we do here is sustainable so do not expect to see results/impacts even though you are making one! I would advise you come here with a very open mind and be expecting to grow mentally, physically + emotionally! And on a not so serious note be ready to sweat like a lot! Overall if you are passionate, dedicated and flexible I would absolutely recommend GVI Ghana to you! Also the staff and community will welcome you with open arms and make you feel right at home!