Our Generation Voluntary Organisation

My trip with OGVO was by far my favorite experience yet. The program did a fantastic job of taking care of every single need and want, always working to make my experience even better. My internship in a diagnostic lab was well organized and adaptable to my interests, and the members of OGVO were incredibly flexible in working around different hours based on what I wanted to work on. Communication was easy and reliable. My host family stay was extremely welcoming and fun, and I had the chance to befriend wonderful roommates. Everyone within the organization, and within Ghana in general, was extremely kind, and I made excellent connections with many different people. Accommodations were great, and every need was met and solved quickly. The weekend excursions were also a wonderful break from the week and a chance to get the tourist side of Ghana. While it took a moment to adjust after all the travel, I was, in the end, well cared for, entertained, and able to engage closely with what I was passionate about. I had a life-changing trip with OGVO, and I do not think it would have ever been the same with a different organization. Thank you, OGVO!!

Working with OGVO in Ghana was honestly an amazing experience, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone considering volunteering abroad, especially in healthcare or dentistry. From the moment I arrived, everyone was so welcoming and supportive. Staying with my host family was one of the highlights of the trip — they really made me feel at home. My host’s mum and her family were incredibly kind and looked after us so well, and the kids were lovely to spend time with. It gave me such a genuine insight into everyday life and culture in Ghana, which made the whole experience feel much more personal and authentic. Frank, who coordinated everything, was also brilliant throughout the whole process. Before the trip, communication was really good and he was always quick to answer questions and help organise things. Once we arrived, he was very punctual, organised, and genuinely cared about making sure we had the best experience possible. He helped arrange weekend trips so we could explore Ghana and experience more of the culture, and he always tried to make things affordable for us as volunteers, which I really appreciated. From the dental side of things, my placement at TAFO Government Hospital was an incredible learning experience. The whole team there were so welcoming, patient, and supportive. The doctors were very insightful and took time to teach and involve me, which helped me gain so much confidence and experience. I genuinely learned a lot during my time there. What I loved most about OGVO is that it doesn’t feel like you’re just visiting Ghana as a tourist — you really feel involved in the local community and culture. If you’re someone who wants a more authentic experience and wants to learn from local people firsthand, I honestly think OGVO is a fantastic organisation to volunteer with. Overall, I got so much out of the experience, both personally and professionally, and I’ve come away with memories and lessons that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life and career. Thank you so much to everyone at OGVO for such an unforgettable experience.

My trip with OGVO was by far my favorite experience yet. The program did a fantastic job of taking care of every single need or want, always working to make my experience that much better. My internship in a diagnostic lab was well organized and adaptable to my interests, and the members of OGVO were incredibly flexible in working around different hours based on what I wanted to work on. Communication was easy and reliable. My host family stay was extremely welcoming and fun, and I had the chance to befriend wonderful roommates. Everyone within the organization, and within Ghana in general, was extremely kind, and I made excellent connections with many different people. Accommodations were great, and every need was met and solved quickly. The weekend excursions were also a wonderful break from the week and a chance to get the tourist side of Ghana. While it takes a moment to adjust after all the travel, in the end, I was well cared for, entertained, and able to engage closely in what I was passionate about. I had a life-changing trip with OGVO, and I do not think it would have ever been the same with a different organization. Thank you, OGVO!!

My experience volunteering through ogvo was very rewarding in Ghana. The coordinators were very efficient in getting me started on time. The found me the right opportunity in mental health services in Kumasi. I also had quite a rewarding staff and patient encounters at the hospital. Mr Frank always checked in to make sure everything is going as expected. Their fees are super affordable compared to other organizations in the region. Check them out if you are looking for a real educative rewarding volunteering experience in Ghana. Albert

My project was very suitable and precisely what I wanted to do. I felt that the placement and my time with my program was very important and was extremely appreciated! I actually found the living arrangements, meals, and hosts exceptional and exceeded my expectations. I was not disappointed but thought I would be living in many different conditions, but was not disappointed in any sense. I have been pushing my friends and family to try this program since my arrival back home. I must confess that OGVO did well organizing my internship program. I'm grateful to all the midwives, doctors and nurses at the hospital. Truly, OGVO is the best organization to travel with and I will recommend all participants to travel with them if only they are going to Ghana.

I had the pleasure of spending a short time in Kumasi, sight seeing, volunteering at a local hospital, and spending time forming relationships with my host family and others. I feel that OGVO provides an excellent opportunity for anyone who may want to be immersed in the Ghanaian culture, and experience life as the Ghanaians do. I was both challenged and blessed throughout my short-duration there and would highly recommend this organization for anyone wanting to volunteer in Ghana and experience and learn of the culture. I also have to give honor to the program Director Frank Odoi who is exceptional. His assistance and communication with his volunteers ensuring their safety, comfort, and great experience during their stay spoke volumes. I am beyond grateful for the time spent, and even more so for the people I've gotten to meet at my host home, as well as the wonderful nurses I've connected with at my project site. If you're looking to affordibly tour or volunteer in Ghana, OGVO is the way to go!

My experience at Tafo Government Hospital was exceptional. The program manager, Mr. Frank, was extremely helpful. The nurses and doctors were nice and supportive. Kumasi is one of the best cities in Ghana with many rich cultures. There are so many places to visit as a tourist. The king's palace was one of my favorite places to visit. I was impressed with the outcome of this trip.

OGVO did an incredible job planning the itinerary. It provided us with a very unique opportunity. We were able to see virtually every aspect of this beautiful country. Thanks so much for everything and all OGVO staff that made it possible for this memorable experience in Ghana. We would DEFINITELY recommend this program to other student group!!!

In the time that I spent in Ghana, I became a totally integrated member of the host family and of the community. But also in the office, my colleagues at work integrated my very well in their team, in their daily routine and all the work.

I had the most fun time volunteering with OGVO! I did the volunteer Dental program at WillBen Dental Clinic, and couldn't have been happier with my experience. All the staff were exceedingly friendly, and were always happy that I was there to learn. My host family was probably the best part of my experience. I stayed with Bella, and her three wonderful children. It was such a blessing to have such a great host family that always stayed up talking to me, and making sure I was having a great time every day. Frank, the coordinator, even made sure that I was in a host family that had another volunteer as well, which I would highly recommend. The orientation process was very informative, and Frank even accompanied me from my work site to home for a the first couple days, to make sure I got around safe. If you are looking for a very, very immersive experience in Africa, this is the program. I had an incredible experience in my time in Ghana, and I met people that I will never forget.

I had one of my greatest experiences regarding getting to know a new culture as well as the work environment in Ghana with OGVO. It was great to see the differences but especially the similarities in dental treatments and procedures in the office. Frank and his team are extremely welcoming, always ready to help and very professional. I would recommend OGVO to everybody who’s interested in doing an internship or any kind of voluntary work in Ghana. Especially the weekend trips were a great experience to get to know the country and the people even more. I feel I could take home so much positive vibes that it really was hard to leave Ghana after 3 weeks.

I had wanted to do some environmental work but never seemed to manage it. After Covid, I decided to go for it! I liked the look of OGVO as they seemed well organised and the prices were realistic so I bit the bullet. I was so happy I did! The registration process is very easy and Frank provided a letter of invitation so that I could get a visa for Ghana. As promised, he picked me up at the airport and took me to my placement, which was actually quite a long way away. Once I got there, I was taken to my accommodation and introduced to the placement manager. The accommodation was basic but adequate. I was lucky to be in a small village so I quickly got to know people and the locals would greet me and wave to me. The placement itself was excellent. I know some environmental projects are perhaps not as worthwhile as you would hope but this one was really effective. The man in charge obviously knew what he was doing and told me about the importance of maintaining trees once planted and also of educating local people not to cut trees down for firewood. By the end of the project I did feel that I had made a difference. I had no problems at all on my placement but Frank messaged me several times to check that everything was OK. It was reassuring to know that help was at hand if I had needed it. If anyone is in doubt, I'd strongly recommend OGVO as a good value but well-organised venture. I had a great time and would love to do it again!

This placement was one of the best decision I have made so far. I was introduced to the Administrator of the Hospital, the Deputy Head of the Biomedical Scientists Department, the Laboratory manager, other Biomedical Scientists and the trainee staff in the department. They took me through the departments in the hospital as an induction. I was given brief overview of the various tests and procedures that are undertaken in their lab and assured that by the end of the placement I will be able to undertake these tests and procedures by myself. The placement organisation took me and other student from other parts of Europe on mini adventure and history visits in our first few weekends such as the Manhyia palace in Kumasi, Lake Bosomtwe in the outskirt of Kumasi, Kakum National Park and The Cape Coast Castle. These trips were amazing and helped us learn more about the culture and history of Ghana. I have learned so much more about Ghana, myself and working in a Hospital over the 9 months I stayed in Ghana and I would gladly do it all over again. I would like to personally thank Mr Frank and his family and all the staff I encountered whilst having my placement at Tafo Government Hospital in Kumasi. Everyone made it a pleasant experience for me and would 100% recommend this opportunity to other student all over the world when they are looking for somewhere in Africa to have an experience.

If you go to Ghana you’ll cry two times. This is a french sentence that resume this trip the best. So the day you arrive, you’ll cry one time because it will be difficult to be alone, to be the only foreigner there. Then you’ll cry one last time at the end because you have met so much beautiful people and you would love to stay more. The first day I arrived early in the morning at the airport, the host father Seth was there on time waiting for me. He showed me my room which was really good. After that he showed me the school and introduces me to the different teachers. He explains me all the struggle they were facing and the different projects he had for the school. Unfortunately if I was expecting to do much more work during my week there and that my helping hand would be more helpful. I guess this depend the time you get there, so be prepare to face a lack of work because of the lack of money from the funds. So the days I worked I was there with workmen, they were also kind to me and they even taught me a local song. Sometimes being the only volunteer can be difficult even if I wasn’t worry about the insecurity, everywhere I go I always felt comfortable. Anyway once I met the locals, I really enjoyed spending my time with them, playing Ludu (a board game) and football with the kids. So the atmosphere was always great, I even met some abodam (crazy) people, but I always use to say that the craziest are the funniest. I also really enjoyed the local experience: like to carry the water over my head, to take a shower outside with only a bucket, to play Ludu and to listen to plenty of different local music. Oh and one last point, at first you can be worry about the food, but I can guaranty that Naomi serve plenty of food. I wasn’t ready to eat a meal for three people by myself. Medase for everything. I’m sure that I will come back one day to see the final result of the school. Mefi Ghana!

OGVO quickly stood out as a safe and trustworthy organisation. All my emails in advance of both booking and going to Ghana were answered quickly - usually within few hours. In Ghana everything went smoothly. OGVO met me and my travel partner at the airport and followed us to our lovely host family. OGVO had organized for me to work at a great dental clinic in Kumasi. I thank OGVO for a great experience in Ghana.

My friend and I came from Norway for a 3 week stay in Kumasi. We were having a dental internship at a private clinic where the people there were so friendly, welcoming us and treating us as family from day one. The family we stayed with was very friendly and helpful. We got good food, they made sure we felt comfortable at all times and helped us with planning and following us to the transport we were taking for weekend trips. The experience with how friendly people are here is one that I will take with me home and remember. All in all it has been three fantastic weeks full of work, culture and good experiences. I would absolutely recommend to travel with OGVO to Ghana!

My experience abroad was great and challenging at the same time. I was a caregiver at an orphanage, my job was feeding the kids, playing, changing, cleaning around the orphanage etc. My first week was very difficult. I was extremely homesick (i had never traveled far from home before) and culture shock but after I got over it, the fun began! I started to open up more and actually talk with people and in doing so, I made the greatest connections with people who I'll never forget. Volunteering abroad also helped me grow up, be a stronger person, learn more... I overall feel like a better person and more confident person in making decisions. If you are thinking of doing this, DO IT. You will not regret it but do understand it will take a few days to a week to adjust.

I did enjoy the program very much. I really like the personal development and the safety and care that people showed me. Regarding the accommodation, the family was very friendly and open, but the house itself was a bit dirty. The project I was volunteering at was the school. The kids was very engaging and the teachers was very helpful. I would have wished I was told that they had exams and where vacating the two weeks i was there, so I could have prepared myself for the activities instead of education. The different sightseeing i did during my stay was very interesting and educational, which I am very happy about. I also like the fact that I could decide for myself what I wanted to see or not. You should be prepared to pay for attractions and some food plus water yourself. My total experience has been very great! I think for me, it was very important for me to have some other volunteers around me. In my case there were no one other than me to attend the high school special but one girl, who attended the healthcare project.

I came to Ghana for two weeks with my wife to volunteer in a orphanage and learn about the local culture. We had an amazing experience with our placement at Liberty Family Home and school. It was located in a small town where everybody knows you. OGVO was a great program, they helped us all along the way with any questions we had both before and during the program. We appreciated all the hospitality of OGVO and Liberty Home.

OGVO was very attentive throughout the volunteer process. I volunteered with my husband, and we had many questions before the program started and they always responded very quickly and attentively. We were well taken care of with travelling to and from our volunteer location and our weekend to Mole National Park, and it was reassuring to have the support from OGVO throughout the process. We worked at a rural orphanage, and had wonderful opportunities to interact with the orphans and other people in the community. We felt very well taken care of and this let us have a really positive experience in our time in Ghana.

Overall this was an amazing experience. My program placement organization completed different work than I was expecting initially coming over, but exposed me to the true microfinance industry within Ghana. The individuals that I worked with daily welcomed me with open arms and were there to teach me all they could every day. Definitely have learned a lot throughout my 3 weeks in Ghana. Frank was also a huge part in why I had such a good experience. He was consistently there to ensure I was adjusting well and was comfortable in all situations. He went above and beyond and I am thankful for him during my time here. The only slight drawback during my time here was my living situation. I was often asked for things and did not feel completely comfortable here at all times which made the adjustment initially difficult. Other than that amazing experience!

I chose this program because I was immediately taken by the personalized responses I received from the program director. I had contacted multiple organizations and felt like a little fish in a big pond. Also, most of the larger organizations I contacted were outside of Ghana and I really wanted a local program. For 3 or 4 months before, I exchanged emails with the director. I had many many questions and Frank always responded within 48 hours and never made me feel like I was a hassle. He also developed the program to meet my very specific needs. I did this program on my own accord, so I was not part of a school or work program. I wanted to challenge myself in a new country and help as well. I was concerned about traveling alone, since this was my first solo trip abroad. But I can honestly say, I never once felt unsafe the entire time I was in Ghana. Although, I was rarely alone. I decided to volunteer in a rural area of Ghana, about 30 minutes outside of Kumasi. I'm glad I did, because Kumasi was a little bit more polluted so I had to have my inhaler handy a few times as I passed through. Onwe was a terrific little town and very friendly. I was placed at the Onwe Government Hospital. I arrived at a challenging time, the pharmacies were on strike, so there were less patients than usual. I rotated around the different wards and helped when I could. I specialize in dermatology, so I got to help with a lot of the dermatology cases. Overall, I didn't get to do as much as I wanted, but like I mentioned I came at a trying time. I highly recommend doing the cultural immersion portion that is offered. Those were some of my favorite moments of my time here. I learned lots of Twi (local language spoken) and cultural traditions. It's definitely worth the extra money. I also signed up for the weekend tour to Cape Coast which was amazing. Overall, I really enjoyed my time in Ghana. I'm glad I did the cultural immersion and weekend tour, I learned a lot about the country through those activities. I would've liked to have gotten more from my time at the hospital, but that wasn't really anyone's fault. The selling point of this program though is director Frank's individualized attention and sincere care to make a program that meets your needs as well as the local coordinators and Twi tutor that are part of the organization. The people really made this whole experience memorable. I definitely will return to Ghana and I highly recommend this program.

It was such a great experience to spend our time here, doing something little, but good. I hope that me and my sister have done every of these children a little happier. Of course not everything here was amazing, but we understand it, cuz life here is absolutely different than our life in Russia. So, we're so excited about this program, we also will help these children in future, will try to send them different things that they need most and of course will try to come back in the future.

It was a great experience that gave us the understanding of different problems that the kids in Ghana meet. It was a pleasure to share this experience in our family. The kids are very kind and hardworking, they like to study despite the fact that they have no all opportunities for this. They don't have a lot things, but they always share everything with each other. Here we saw how the simple things can make kids happy.

I spent two wonderful weeks in Kumasi, Ghana. The food, the host family, the work - everything was excellent! You really get to see Ghana from within which is such a fantastic experience. Still, the security always felt very high.

Traveling to a place like Ghana is such a unique amazing adventure to have so young in your life. Volunteering although tough is so rewarding, you get to experience the culture full on always. It was truly incredible I completely suggest to travel and volunteer in Ghana to anyone.

As a 20-year old pursuing this program alone and with no contacts in Ghana to begin with, I was astounded by the care and support I received by Frank, one of the program directors, and my host family. I was immediately welcomed into a loving household that was always checking on me to make sure that everything was okay. Frank was marvelous. A very sweet-hearted gentleman, he always made sure I was safe and that I was having a good time. As for my volunteer service, I now wish I had chosen another avenue. This is not because my experience was negative, as the children never ceased to make me smile, but for the sole reason that I believe the significance of my impact to be minuscule and I feel as though I could have gotten more out of the program( due to language barrier issues with the children) if I had pursued another line of service (although I was only with the program for two-weeks) Recommendations for future volunteers in this program: - Study at least some teaching-related twi words, they will come in handy (sit, listen, stop etc.). - Be prepared to see children all-out fighting each other ( this is a common occurrence as the children enforce their own punishments often) - Especially if you are white, be prepared to have children no matter where you go, asking you for money or shouting " Obruni!"( meaning white person) - Do not come with pre-conceived notions of how things will work. -If possible, go on the Cape Coast excursion. You really learn a lot about African history from a perspective you might not readily be approached with if you were to study it abroad.

My experience in Kumasi was instrumental in my successful application to medical school in Australia. Based in a small, hands-on clinic in Kumasi, I was actively learning from day one. It was hot, humid and the small waiting room was full of prenatal women, patiently waiting their turn with the doctor. Staff were busily attending to patients with barely time to raise their eyes to notice the awkward Obruni half-cocked and hesitating in the doorway. "Alex!" Frank gestured in his direction, "come and meet the team". I needn't have worried: within five minutes, I realised that I had just made 10 new friends. And I realised that I didn't have time to be nervous! Primarily a maternity clinic - and given the high fertility rate in Kumasi - you are going to be busy. You are given as much or as little responsibility as your experience will allow. However, it must be said: you will be permitted to be involved in procedures that would otherwise be impossible back home. This is an unparalleled opportunity to observe, learn and even practice the messy, chaotic and REAL side of primary care medicine in a developing country. That kind of hands-on experience was indispensable and is a driving factor of my recommendation for OGVO. I began simply shadowing a GP while he went about doing consultations. During this time I learned about all the prevalent maladies affecting Kumasi's many residents: malaria, typhoid and more malaria. After some time just observing, the GP got me consulting with patients, before I went into the lab to learn how to identify different pathogens under the microscope and make a proper diagnosis. You get to check for malaria, sickle cell anemia - the list goes on. I also weighed and immunised infants, helped deliver two babies, and gave talks to antenatal women on how to stay healthy during pregnancy. This educational role saw me head out into (very) regional villages to give out medication and give more talks on primary healthcare. It was challenging and daunting at first, but entirely awesome and a hugely important experience for me. Undertaking a medical internship through OGVO is a life-changing experience and something that I would recommend without hesitation. Frank and the organisation will ensure that you are happy and well looked-after, from the moment he meets you at the airport to the time you say a difficult goodbye. At times you will need to draw on your inner-strength and the new friends around you, but I promise that you will leave a different, more-resilient person with a better-developed global outlook. Not to mention an impressive set of skills to aid you as you begin or continue your medical training.

Hello everyone, I'm Robin, an international volunteer from the Netherlands. I volunteered for 2 weeks in Kumasi, Ghana doing teaching and coaching football to children. I really enjoyed my time in Ghana doing voluntary work! My host family were very nice, caring and helpful people, I never hesitated to talk to them about anything. Their kindness I sincerely appreciated. The work I did, I really loved and I looked forward to going to work everyday because I knew that every day would be a good day. The children really appreciated me being there and respected me very well. I am very passionate about football and also working with children, so this program was a perfect fit for me. I experienced the great Ghanaian culture through visiting museums and places during weekends, eating from the lovely Ghanaian cuisine but mostly through the very friendly people! I have also made good friendships whilst being here with the school staff, the school children, my host family and also my resourceful OGVO guide. To sum everything up, I would just like to say that it was an amazing, unforgettable experience for me and that I highly recommend volunteering through Our Generation Voluntary Organisation to all people looking to volunteer in the great country of Ghana.

Overall very pleasant experience working with OGVO. Frank, our program coordinator, was very helpful and made sure that we had a rewarding experience while we were in Ghana. I spent four weeks volunteering at Aniniwah Medical Center where I was exposed to many areas of health care from consultations to surgeries. All the medical professionals we encountered were knowledgable and willing to teach. I found the whole experience invaluable as it helped me gain a better insight into how medicine works in developing countries such as Ghana.