Volunteer and Teach English in Ghana

Definitely join!! Walk into the program with the least amount of expectations and willingness to adapt to anything and you will be just fine. I had no idea how easy it would be to adapt to the heat as soon as I decided that it’s okay to be a bit dirty and sweaty. Everything else about the program became much easier to adapt to once I developed an open mindset as well.

I have volunteered with IVHQ once before and I really enjoyed everything about it, so I decided to volunteer with them again. I was very thankful for the quick and helpful response I got for every question I asked my IVHQ Program Manager! Everyone was amazing, kind and always there to help with anything we needed! I never once felt like I couldn't ask for anything! I absolutely loved the food the two cooks prepared for us! Being a vegetarian, I wasn't sure whether that would be a problem but the cooks instantly adapted and always made a vegetarian version for me! For that I am very thankful! The food in general was also very good and they even prepared us some local meals, which was amazing! I loved so many moments, as they were all unique and beautiful! For me, just being around the kids and locals and making new friends there must be my favorite moments. The volunteering trip reminded me about the things that are truly important in life and that there is still so much in the world that is unfair. However, it also showed me, that no matter how small the impact is that one makes to make the world a better place, it is always worth it! It is a very special experience and the memories you make will stay with you for a lifetime.

I definitely recommend anyone thinking of giving this programme a shot, to just go for it! I met wonderful people during my mere 2 weeks, got to experience a whole new culture and get a taste of the educational system in the beautiful Ghana. If I could have, I would have extended my stay but for anyone who does not have that opportunity; It is still worth going for a shorter period of time. During my stay, the students had already completed their exams for the year so there was not too much to do as there were no actual classes which made things a bit unorganised. Just remember to be flexible and help out wherever necessary. The school was accommodating for any ideas I had and organising an afternoon class. International Volunteer HQ were also very accommodating with extending stays, helping out in any way that they can. During my first weekend, Evans from the organisation planned a trip for us new volunteers to see the coastline and visit many interesting and beautiful places. He was extremely helpful, always available on his mobile to answer any questions that you might have! Overall my experience was amazing. As long as you arrive with an open mind and ready to help, I am sure your experience will be just as wonderful.

Everything about my stay in Ghana was amazing! Evans was the most amazing and professional coordinator ever. He was very helpful in helping me adjust to the culture and made sure I was comfortable at my placement in Frankadua. I had such a great time getting to know the children they are all so very sweet and loving. I love Ghana and I thank Evans and all of the staff there for helping make me comfortable as a volunteer.

While volunteering abroad I had one of the best traveling experiences in my life. The staff was welcoming and very responsible. I would reccomend anyone to take part in volunteering here! I was only here for a short time but I felt in love with the kids and culture. The village I stayed in was frankadua, several hour from the capital. I did teaching and was able to learn how the school system works there.

I was in Ghana for 8 weeks, it was very hard for me to adjust at first because its very overwhelming and you are there on your own. In this period of adjustment I had a lot of help from the IVHQ staff who always said to me "We only want you to be happy. How can we help?" After a rough first weeks I can say being there was one of the most amazing experiences in my life, I made such good friends who were my support through the hole program and got the chance to teach to amazing and brilliant children. We taught summer school and the children were so eager to learn it motivated you to prepare a good class and different activities. If you are thinking about going to Africa I really recommend this project, I would recommend 3 weeks or more and to be willing to help in everything you can. If you can bring things from home that you think could be useful for the project, do it. BEST EXPERIENCE EVER!

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It would be my first ever volunteer trip, ever. It would also be my first trip that I would do alone, without my friends or my parents. Of course, I had doubts about going, especially when the departure was getting closer, I started questioning my decision to go to Ghana for a month. But I got on the plane, I was a bit scared, I'll have to admit, and a little bit less than 7 hours later I landed in the country that would forever change my outlook on the world and would become my second home, I just didn't know it yet. I was immediately welcomed by one of the IVHQ employees when I walked out of the airport with my heavy loaded backpack. The first night was a bit rough, I was homesick and really didn't know what to do with myself. I would stay a month, and that sounded like ages to me at the time. This all may sound very negative, but I want to show you that - if you have any doubts- you can take it from me that this will be the best decision of your life. After a few days I wasn't homesick anymore, I loved the children and the people at the orphanage where I volunteered (pink program = best program ever) and I had met some of the most beautiful girls from America that became my best friends in a matter of days. With them I would spend the breaks playing cards or laughing and the weekends road tripping through Ghana, from Cape Coast to Accra Mall. Besides teaching the children I also did some childcare, like helping them with getting dressed/taking a bath/eating and taking care of their health. The children gave so much love and so much joy, getting to play with them, talk with them and teaching them everyday was amazing. Not only the children, but all the people I met in Ghana were some of the most welcoming people, and I've never felt unsafe. If you have any more doubts about going, don't. Just go. You will love it and you will not regret going, I promise you. Leaving everyone in Ghana was harder on me than leaving home. I just found out that I will be able to get back to Ghana next year, and that's the biggest present anyone could've ever given me. I left a little piece of my hearth in Ghana, and you will too.

When I applied for International Volunteer HQ program, I knew exactly what I was applying for, due to the helpful website information and preparation. However, I was definitely not expecting to have such a great experience! Firstly, I believe anyone who looks for this type of programs is afraid of the organization's safety or simply if there is really somebody waiting for you at the airport. As it was promised, everything went ok with the pick up and I was pretty well received in the volunteer house in Accra. Therefore, all my nervousness went away as soon as I got there. Secondly, in terms of overall safety, at first it was quite scary that everyone approached me to know a bit more about myself, where I came from and how my life was back home. In Portugal, things like this never happen and I never expect some stranger to speak to me without any reason. In fact, this is really common in Ghana and was actually what I mostly appreciated about its culture and community: everybody loves and respects everybody. I felt completely safe to walk around the village at any time of the day (not during the night) by myself. Thirdly, when it comes to living conditions, I was not expecting to have good ones. If I wanted to have a nice toilet and shower, I would not have applied to do this in the first place. Everything else, the people, the teaching program and the other volunteers' friendship was far more that enough to compensate the conditions. However, it is important to highlight that the program staff was always open to suggestions to improve our life while in Ghana and certainly tried to fit our requirements as best as they could. For example, I personally do not appreciate spicy food and food in Ghana is extremely hot! I asked the cooks to decrease their spiciness and they did so for me and for other volunteers who wished as well. Finally, another positive aspect about the program was the opportunity to try other divisions apart from teaching. Since farming volunteers went to the farm from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and teachers had to be at school at 9 a.m., I was glad to have the possibility to join the agriculture program before classes. This flexibility enabled me to get the most of my two weeks in Frankadua and get to know even more about how people get by in life. After this, I went to school and taught a class with an average of 20 seven-year-old students and I this was the area where my effort had the most impact. I found that the educational system there is very weak and despite not having had any previous teaching experience, I believe that I could teach the children them so many useful tools and values to pursue a greater life. In conclusion, I felt safe and respected, I made amazing friendships I will never forget and, most importantly, I could indeed make a difference in the community. I also learnt so many essential values that developed myself as a person and that I will try to transmit to other people in my country.

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The experience is incredible. The workers at my placement were very friendly and always made sure we were safe. There is no doubt that this opportunity will change your life and I still think about the children and the small town where my placement was everyday. The villagers were so welcoming and the children are lovely and always excited to learn! On the weekend a group of volunteers made the trip to Cape Coast with the help of a dedicated worker named Evan. I really wish I had gotten to stay longer and I am already looking forward to my next trip back.

I absolutely loved every second I got to spend in Ghana. I was in the Gold Program for a month and everything about it was perfect. The staff was super helpful, the cook was amazing, and the children and other members of our village were very helpful, respectful, and welcoming to us. Our program leader was not that great and could have done a lot more to make this trip go a little smoothly, but aside from that the IVHQ staff was very helpful and I knew there were always other staff members I could go to and they were able to handle my advice or situations. The guy that was in charge of us at the accommodation, Prince was amazing and called us a taxi whenever we needed it, he helped us plan weekend trips, he taught us more of the local language, and he also made us feel safe 24/7.

I’ve done a lot of traveling over the years, but no trip compared to the one month I spent volunteering in beautiful Ghana. The main reason for that are the people I met there, especially the lovely kids and IVHQ Staff. At first I thought that the program was expensive, but after completing it I can say that it is worth every cent. The program coordinators would check up on us at least once a week and we could reach at least one of them at any time via phone. They considered all of our complains and tried to solve any problems we had. I am especially thankful to Evans, a program coordinator, working temporarily as a cook in our program. He was trying to make everyone happy and to find out if we were satisfied. He even discussed the food menu with us, sometimes fulfilled special meal wishes and made travel reservations for us. I hope that I will have a chance to volunteer in this program again.

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