Staff Interview with Seth Barnes

What is Our Generation Voluntary Organization’s mission and how do you continue to work toward it?

OGVO's mission is to help deprived communities of Ghana to be self sustainable through placements of international volunteers to help develop, mentor, and get used to cross-cultural experiences.

The organization works with communities across the country to help individuals and groups improve the well-being of women and children and overcome poverty. We do this through long-term projects aimed at allowing communities to manage and sustain their own development. OGVO works to identify each community’s assets and needs, along with the underlying causes of children’s poverty and vulnerability, by building partnerships with families, community groups, faith-based organizations, and government bodies. We work towards our mission by identifying needy projects, and we send in volunteers and financial support the organization receives from volunteers and donors to effectively ensure sustainability of the projects.

Describe a typical day at work for you.

The structure of the week varies for different projects, but we aim to be flexible. Provided some notice is given, we try to accommodate our volunteers and interns plans and provide a lasting solution to their needs.

Breakfast is usually ready for volunteers at exactly 7:00 a.m., so volunteers will have enough time to start the day’s work by 8:00 a.m. Volunteers are expected to be present at the school to undertake the daily roles to be assigned by the local teacher or administrator of the school. You will have some hours of free time for lunch at 2:00 p.m. in the volunteer hostel or at the host family’s house. The school session usually closes at 2:00 p.m., and you will have time to engage in any other business, such as going out for drink, shopping, or visiting the internet café etc. in the evening.

Medical volunteers are likely to be given increasing responsibility, depending on their training and experience. Volunteers are given the opportunity to work in all the departments of the hospital/clinics. Volunteers will be able to explore the healthcare service in Ghana and compare it with what they have already experienced. They will be involved in the day-to-day running of hospitals and clinics, observing or directly assisting the doctors and nurses.

Why do you do what you do?

The OGVO is committed to providing lasting solutions to rural poor communities through placements of international volunteers and interns in all fields, especially sending volunteers to help in schools, hospitals, day care centers, orphanage homes, etc., and contributing towards helping poor communities of Ghana.

OGVO identifies needy projects in deprived communities of Ghana and sends in the support received from volunteers, donors, and well-wishers. The organization is dedicated to providing year-round programs for local and international volunteers to interact with the development process by participating in projects that enrich the lives of people living in deprived communities of Ghana. Our work promotes international cooperation, friendship, and cultural exchange, and breaks new grounds for socio-economic development through voluntary work placement. The organization engages the services of both local and international volunteers around the world who have passion for development and humanitarian projects.

We believe that volunteering should be a two way benefit, where the volunteer placement should interest you and be suitable for your placement needs, so you can gain practical work experience, enhance your resume, and have networking with overland adventures while you are able to assist your “host.”

What are some current projects you are working on?

Currently at OGVO, the organization is working on several development and humanitarian projects across the country, such as medicine/healthcare, building and renovation, teaching, orphanage care work, sports, agriculture, disabled, law firms, microfinance firms, wildlife, etc. We also sends volunteers and interns to help in schools, hospitals/clinics, sports teams, orphanages, etc.

Our volunteers work with locals to make sure the projects get completed and match the needs of the people they are benefitting. Volunteers easily find the way they are used to working on building projects back home can be very different from this experience; the materials used are often a bit more simple and there can be limited tools for construction. Additionally, work schedules are not always the same as volunteers might imagine them to be in their country and we encourage our volunteers to test their cross-cultural exchange capacity in Ghana.

The core of each project is the building work that we undertake in the villages and towns. This is the most tangible contribution that we make to the host community, and forms a focus for volunteers, group volunteers, and family volunteers. Those less keen on heavy building or renovation work usually take up the lighter, but equally important, work, such as painting or plastering.

The organization researches each project to ensure it meets our criteria, including an assessment of the need, benefits, and long term-sustainability of the project itself, together with levels of community involvement, risk assessments, health and safety requirements, logistical practicality, and living arrangements. The key to any building project is the partnership between volunteers, the team, and the local community. As well as bringing essential funding to the project, the presence of a team of volunteers in the town or village community can be a great motivator to local people.

What makes Our Generation Voluntary Organization special?

The organization, since its inception, has enormous experience working with both local and international volunteers and organizations across the world. With great experience and insight, OGVO has placed thousands of international volunteers and interns, helping in schools, hospitals, orphanages, sports teams, human rights, agriculture/farming, law firms, microfinance, and other customized programs, such as wildlife, high school programs or programs for university students, medic volunteers and interns, and providing support to other projects in need.

The organization prides itself in having safe, flexibible, reliable, affordable, and unique volunteer programs and internships offering work experience in Ghana. OGVO has different programs on offer at affordable costs as low as $250 per week. The programs are well designed to cater to the needs of people from all backgrounds. OGVO, as a local African non-governmental organization, makes sure that our programs are very affordable to provide the opportunity for willing volunteers to come support our community development efforts. Depending on the needs of the individual or a group, programs are customized for everyone according to their needs. We carefully consider how much you want to work and what areas interest you most, and we will do our very best to make sure that your program is what you want, not what you are given.

Our volunteer abroad programs help to build up your resume, improve your skills, increase your global awareness and cultural intelligence, and get the experience of a lifetime. Our programs are carefully selected to have an impact on society and are worthwhile to our volunteers/interns.

Why should someone choose your organization over your competitors?

At OGVO, we provide safe, unique, meaningful and extremely affordable volunteer programs and internships work placement in Ghana. Our programs are all year round, so volunteers and interns can choose to arrive anytime of the year, with advance notice. We provide an affordable and hassle free volunteer work placement service for all nationalities around the world. You might not be sure of your safety while in Ghana, but our organization has a record of ensuring that our volunteers are safe and sound when they come to work with us. We have customized internships and volunteer programs in all fields of studies to meet your educational requirements too.

How do you help support participants both before and after they arrive in Ghana?

At OGVO, volunteers’ safety is our hallmark. We make sure any participant who wants to go abroad with OGVO is helped appropriately, and we also make sure their visa, accommodation, meals, etc are well catered for before arrival. We do this through our experienced project coordinators.

What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?

Participants normally ask questions concerning their safety and how their stay will be. They ask questions regarding the costs and what exactly the fees are for. At OGVO, we respond as fast as we can and answer volunteers’ questions without delay.

What do you hope participants take away from your programs?

Participants who work with OGVO are not just tourists, but part of the local family. Volunteers learn the local culture, such as how to prepare food, eat the local cuisines, and live our way of life. Volunteers who immerse in our rich Ghanaian culture through completion of their projects are awarded certificates for their good work supporting deprived communities. This helps volunteers enhance their resume/CV in their home country.