Volunteer in Childcare in Ghana

My experience volunteering in Ghana was truly life-changing. Being able to care for patients, assist with their medical needs, and help individuals receive treatment they may otherwise have struggled to afford gave me a deeper appreciation for the importance of compassionate and accessible healthcare. Seeing the gratitude of patients and families reminded me that even small acts of service can make a lasting difference. Beyond the medical experience, Ghana taught me the value of humility, compassion, and community. I learned that healthcare extends far beyond treating an illness. It is about seeing people, listening to them, and making them feel cared for and valued.

My experience volunteering in Ghana was truly life-changing. Being able to care for patients, assist with their medical needs, and help individuals receive treatment they may otherwise have struggled to afford gave me a deeper appreciation for the importance of compassionate and accessible healthcare. Seeing the gratitude of patients and families reminded me that even small acts of service can make a lasting difference. Beyond the medical experience, Ghana taught me the value of humility, compassion, and community. I learned that healthcare extends far beyond treating an illness. It is about seeing people, listening to them, and making them feel cared for and valued.

My experience volunteering in Ghana was truly life-changing. Being able to care for patients, assist with their medical needs, and help individuals receive treatment they may otherwise have struggled to afford gave me a deeper appreciation for the importance of compassionate and accessible healthcare. Seeing the gratitude of patients and families reminded me that even small acts of service can make a lasting difference. Beyond the medical experience, Ghana taught me the value of humility, compassion, and community. I learned that healthcare extends far beyond treating an illness. It is about seeing people, listening to them, and making them feel cared for and valued.

Very good communication from IVHQ team, preparation before trip was extremely useful and informative, guidance from IVHQ was very effective and helpful. The local team were extremely supportive, welcoming and friendly. Benedict was very informative at the orientation meeting. My favourite moment from the program was getting to experience life in a different view, spending time with the children, meeting the locals and immersing In their way of life/culture. The biggest impact that this trip had on me was being able to speak to the locals and see the local houses, seeing first hand their living conditions. Also teaching the kids, it made me realise the things I take for granted and realising how these kids are happy with so little. The main thing taken away from the trip is, the little things in life are what makes us the happiest. If you are thinking of volunteering, do it, you will never regret or forget it. It has been 100% the best thing I have ever done.

I can’t say thank you enough to the IVHQ team for their help in preparation for this trip! I am so blessed to have had all the support from the staff, especially Sammy my program manager, who communicated with the local team often to ensure I could make the trip and even emailed me during the trip to check in! The local team was phenomenal!!!! I would love to go back to the same village and work with the same team again one day! They are the most caring, loving, professional people that I’ve ever met - I always felt safe! I’m only 22-years-old and I just graduated college. All I have ever wanted to do is help people and volunteering in Ghana with the local team has forever changed my life. I will never forget this trip! The biggest impact that this trip had on me was the kids. The children will forever hold a special place in my heart. It was difficult to leave them, but they taught me SO much and I’m blessed to have taught them too. Life is too short to hesitate, especially when it comes to helping people, and although it can be difficult to adapt to a different culture, it is the most empowering thing you will ever do in your life!

I loved our group of volunteers and teaching the children something new everyday was amazing. It made me happy. By giving something you get so much more back. By volunteering abroad, you can’t lose anything but only win a lot: friendship, experience, happiness, etc!

Whilst my time in Ghana, I had an amazing experience. Not only did I enjoy my volunteer experience with the children and I also enjoy the people and the culture in Ghana. It was a great to see literally everyone happy and greeting each other when I arrived. The community made me feel welcome. Although it was very much a culture shock, out the many people that helped me a person in particular who works in the volunteers Corp. in Ghana was able to give me advice and guide me to overcome the cultures. His name is Evans, one of many great workers at the volunteers corps. Evans was a very open, helping and understanding individual. He made every one who volunteered comfortable and he was friendly. He was able to give us some insight into the language, everyday activities, and the many cultures in Ghana. He even taught us some etiquette alongside with the information that was given to us be we arrived to Ghana. He was also very communicative, where if there’s any problem or questions who had, he was there. After speaking with him, I learned that he truly loves his job, the children and the volunteers. His work ethic was strong. I believe if you ever want to visit Ghana he’s a person to contact and show you around and if you come across him don’t hesitate to say hi. There many other workers in volunteers corps. that are also great. The whole organization is great and I promise you wouldn’t be making a mistake if you across the workers or even Evans himself.

I thought IVHQ did a very great job at preparing me for my journey abroad. Without knowing a whole lot about Africa, the people, the culture and the volunteer trip as a whole, they really helped to get a good sense of what it would be like and what I was to except. Once I arrived in Ghana, the local staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. However there was a little miscommunication on airport pick up. I never once felt unsafe while there and if there was an issue IVHQ did their best to resolve it. I loved working in childcare because the kids made it for me. I would have liked to do more with the people, become better immersed in the culture. I also wish there was a little more structure and organization with my day to day duties at my placement. However, The love and happiness from the kids made everything worth while and it was infectious, this trip changed my life! So in conclusion, I would definitely travel with IVHQ again!

I spent 2 weeks in Ghana and learned a lot over the course of my two weeks. you begin to realize all the things you do your life you take them for granted because not everyone gets to experience what you do in life. I was able to Volunteer in the Pink Program in which I enjoyed very much. The kids are always smiling and playful. They are also open to learning new things from different cultures. I realized volunteering is not just being there to help out be ensuring to those kids that there's hope for them and each every child will have a promising future despite the circumstances that they are in. The staff in Ghana are amazing and very caring and helpful. You will find yourself asking many questions. DON'T HESITATE TO. They are easily accessible. The children love when volunteers come and help out it means a lot for them to know that there are people out there to help. The Major Advice I have is maintaining positivity throughout duration( then you'll enjoy it) and please communicate more with the volunteer coordinators they are best resources that you will have when you are there. Everyone in Ghana is kind and loving. You will definitely enjoy it if you choose Ghana.

Project was good. The volunteer house could use some work to be more comfortable. Overall, Ghana is a wonderful place with lots of potential. Getting around was easy, meeting people was easy... an overall great country. Weekends traveling was great, program staff were wonderful. Come to Ghana, you will be forever changed.

The only way to describe my month in Ghana was that it was honestly the best 5 weeks of my life. From the moment I booked my IVHQ trip I knew it was going to be incredible but I never knew that it was going to change my life so much. The kids at Olive Program were the most amazing kids I've ever met and I loved every second of it. There was support all the way through from IVHQ which was great - whether it was being met at the airport, coming and checking on programs or phone calls every now and again to check everything was okay. Evans from IVHQ also organised a trip to Cape Coast with all the volunteers from orientation for the first weekend which was great to get to know everyone so we could organise our own weekend travels with them for future weekends. My program was so good and I loved that at Olive we could really get to know each of the kids because we lived with them and there were only around 35. We also got to try other things like teaching, cooking and helping on the farm when the kids were at school which was so fun. Exploring Ghana was such an adventure yet I always felt so safe and the people there are so lovely and friendly. I can't wait to go back I miss the kids so much already and if you're thinking about going you should definitely do it, it was the best thing I've ever done and you'll love it!

I rate this entire program 10/10! IVHQ did a wonderful job making sure all the volunteers were always safe and happy. The food was good and always on the table on time and I always felt like I was in good hands. The Cape Coast trip that was put together by Evans is sooo fun and I advise all new volunteers to go. Evans does an amazing job of always making the volunteers happy, and fixing every issue no matter how small or big. I also advise all new volunteers to not be scared to report any issues to Evans or another local staff member because he is so happy to help and won’t stop till everyone is happy. He definitely made my time in Ghana easy. Thank you!

I had an amazing time in Ghana. I was placed in the Olive Program. I loved being able to live with the kids for two weeks. I grew very close to them. I was able to attend a church service, which I thought was an amazing experience. All the staff made me feel very welcomed and took very good care of me. I definitely plan on returning.

Tracing my ancestors back to Ghana was a big step in my cultural journey. Therefore, arriving in Ghana and being submerged into the culture, food, etc. was an amazing experience. So of the other volunteers may disagree but if you want to really enjoy yourself, you have to submerge yourself into the culture. While I was only there for 4 weeks, I have nothing to complain about. The orientation staff (Benedict, Evans, Elvis, etc.) were amazing. They did a great job with goals and expectations of volunteers. My placement program (pink) everything was great. The town of Dodowa is quiet and safe. In addition to that, my housing accommodations was perfect. The chef(s) (Auntie B and others) were amazing, kind, plus that food was great. We got to try some of the local dishes at the home. The children at Potter's were amazing. They're super friendly and eager to learn. Being placed in Pink was the best experience I could have ever wished for.

I volunteered in Ghana, Africa for 2 months in 2016. When I first arrived in Ghana, I was taken to the first volunteer house where I met Benedict Adeli who went over all the important info I needed about my program. After all the volunteers had arrived a few days later we were all taken to our program placements. I was placed in the Pink program where I got the most amazing opportunity to volunteer in Potters village with the most amazing kids I have ever met. During my time there I got the chance to learn about the Ghanaian culture, I got to learn the language, and make such strong connections with the kids that I can be forever grateful for. Over the course of my volunteer time in Ghana, Benedict Adeli consistently checked up on me and the other volunteers doing in home visits, and messages through text always making sure the volunteers were safe, and comfortable and doing good. Benedict, and other IVHQ members always made sure that volunteers were doing okay and it was very reassuring to know that IVHQ takes such good care of their volunteers! If you have the chance to volunteer abroad I recommend you choose Ghana as your location and the Pink program as your placement!

Ghana was amazing!!! The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful and made the experience so much more enjoyable!! The volunteering was also incredible, the kids were amazing and I am going to miss them so much. i think they taught me more then I was ever able to help them. The whole experience just really allowed me to experience the life and the culture in Ghana and it was so rewarding knowing I was able to help out in any way that I could. I would recommend this program to anyone; it was well organized I felt safe the whole entire time and the experiences are just incomparable.

It was an amazing trip and I got to fully experience what it was like living in Ghana from the food to the housing. It was eye opening and taught me a lot. It was amazing food and the people were so helpful and welcoming. The kids I got the opportunity to meet were just amazing and so fun and I am going to miss them so much. I always felt safe and the staff helped you right away with anything you needed. It is a trip I will never forget and I hope I can go back sometime soon.

Hi everyone, My name is Jiyeon from Philly, Pennsylvania, USA. I spent 6 weeks in Ghana from June 15th to July 27th, staying at a rural village called Asempaneye! I have been nervous about traveling to a foreign country alone, all the precautions I should take while being in Ghana, and adjusting to the weather and food at first. However, as soon as I stepped out of the plane, IVHQ members were waiting for the newcomers, always ready to lend a helping hand. The volunteer coordinator, cook, and childcare coordinator at the gold program compound were all extremely understanding and friendly. The locals helped me wash my laundry, offered me various fruits, and taught me their local language called twi. I honestly didn't have time to be homesick or had any thoughts of leaving early. The children came to play at our compound after school almost everyday and appreciated anything that we brought with us such as toys, school supplies, kitchenware for their lunch, and clothes. I went traveling for only one weekend (Cape Coast which I definitely 100% recommend to everyone) because my credit card was blocked and I only brought $500 for the whole stay but I did not regret staying back in Asempaneye with the children at all. The weekends back in the village were very peaceful, I took a walk down the road, read some books, played with the kids coloring or blowing bubbles, or just took some nap (since I usually take about 3 naps a day). For childcare specifically, I had to sweep the compound in the morning, help Felix or Tina cook, clean the tables and chairs, serve, wash the dishes, and sweep the mess. Then I walked to the Asempaneye Elementary School 5 minutes from our compound to teach the Kindergarten class until school ended which was around 2pm. I still feel like I left a piece of my heart back in Ghana with the kids so I am planning on making another visit 5 years later when I am finished with my Pharmacy school. It was truly life-changing to learn about another culture, lifestyle, and country! I made a lot of friends from all over the country who I still FaceTime or connect on social media still. Thank you IVHQ for a great experience! If you guys have questions, join the Facebook IVHQ Ghana alum page to ask any questions and listen to past volunteers' experiences~!

this was my first time doing anything like this as im only 18yrs and it was a trip of a lifetime. i was worried that i wouldn't make any friends out there but you soon because close with the fellow volunteers on your program and i still keep in touch with them now im back. IVHQ helped make my experience as enjoyable and safe as possible. they kept in touch 24/7 and were really helpful when you wanted to ask something. my program was amazing and the children i met will always have a place in my heart. even just being there makes their lives better. IVHQ are very flexible of you want to change courses and although i was on the childcare (silver) program, i got to do some teaching as well. there are always things you can be helping with and i enjoyed every second of it. overall, if you go there with an open mind, you will help the children and the community so much, making friends and having fun along the way. would definitely recommend this to anyone who is nervous about their first time volunteering abroad on their own.

I've always wanted to do some international volunteering since I was a young child and saw the need for it advertised on TV. December of 2016 I finally got my chance, but only for 2 weeks. I say "only" because it flew by so quick and I wish I could've stayed longer. I participated in the Gold childcare program in Ghana and loved every second of it, from the IVHQ staff to the locals, to the children...the food...the weekend traveling...the way of life in the village, just everything! I feel like I didn't even scratch the surface on the experience I could've had, had I stayed longer, but I couldn't take anymore time off from. Whether you go for 2 months or 2 weeks you will no doubt have a life changing experience and meet friends for life in the other volunteers and local people. Shout out to Evans, Tina and Prince, whom I spent the most time with in Ghana. They made sure we were safe, helped us find our way around, and taught us so much about the culture and way of life in Ghana. Make sure you take advantage of the trips to Cape Coast and Kakum National Park if you get the chance. See some water falls. Stop by a coconut and cacao fruit stand and try one of each. Try the Fanmilk products (FanYogo, FanIce, FanChoco, FanDango) - you won't be disappointed! Don't wait around - get planning - you will have the time of your life!!!!! And remember, no matter what happens, whether you think it’s good or bad, it’s all part of the adventure – take it all in, learn from it, and enjoy!!