Social Work Volunteering in Ghana

I was, probably like some of you, a bit sceptical when initially applying due to the low price compared to other organisations. However, the experience I had was absolutely amazing and I have learnt so much about not only myself, but about different cultures and etiquettes. My program manager, Marissa, was absolutely fantastic at answer all of my questions and adjusting any mistakes I submitted onto my application such as flight number and pick-up time. Despite the huge time difference between Marissa and myself, she was able to reply to my email promptly and with extreme care - I was really at ease throughout the whole process and that made the experience a bunch better. Everything on my volunteering was as described on the program guide and there were no surprises when I landed, everything that happened during my week I was prepared for. I would really recommend this company and I want to thank them once more for the fantastic and truly life-changing experience they provided for me.

I had such a wonderful experience in Split! I met so many amazing people from different countries and made memories that I will definitely never forget. The Youth Support program gave me the opportunity to connect with the local community, experience a different culture and grow personally at the same time. The local team was very welcoming and supportive and I always felt comfortable asking questions or getting help when needed. I especially loved the international atmosphere and meeting people with completely different backgrounds and stories.besides volunteering, I had enough time to explore Split, enjoy the beautiful beaches and nature and experience Croatian culture. This experience helped me step outside my comfort zone, become more independent and see things from new perspectives. I’m really grateful for all the people I met and everything I experienced during my time here. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who wants to travel, volunteer, meet new people and create unforgettable memories abroad. ❤️

The support and organization of IVHQ was strong and great. Traveling and volunteering with a family of five, with 3 Jr High School kids but was amazing. Very comfortable and things were laid out well, we all felt extremely safe and comfortable the entire experience.

The preparation before trip was so detailed that I don’t have anything to worry about. It got everything listed and made it so much easier to tick off what I’ve done and what they need. The communication with the manager for the volunteer was so smooth and fast, and I was able to get a reply current evening or next morning (due to different timing in different countries). I wanted to change my volunteer from rural teaching to turtle reservation, it was so fast that there wasn’t any problems with the money nor arrangements, everything just went so smoothly, really impressed. The local team there really helped a lot, the driver, the leader, everyone was just so nice, even the cook and the receptionist. This volunteer as itself also helped me a lot on raising awareness for the sea turtles, learnt a lot and really hope to help them consistently. This is such a memorable trip and I hope to do these volunteers with IVHQ next summer with my friends.

My Jamaica experience was great because it allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone, connect with new people, and make meaningful memories while serving others. I loved being able to learn about the culture, build relationships with the local community, and see the impact that small acts of kindness can have. The experience challenged me to grow in my faith, gratitude, and appreciation for the opportunities I have. It was rewarding to work alongside others who shared the same passion for helping people and creating a positive difference. IVHQ does a great job of creating opportunities for volunteers to make a meaningful impact while also providing support and guidance throughout the experience. They help connect volunteers with local communities, organize programs, and make it possible for people to serve in a way that is safe and structured. I appreciated how they allowed us to experience the culture of Jamaica while still focusing on helping the community. Their organization made the trip feel purposeful and helped create an environment where volunteers could learn, serve, and grow.

My experience with IVHQ absolutely exceeded my expectations and was so amazing, the staff were so friendly and really created a positive and welcoming environment, i felt safe and included by all the other volunteers, my only regret is not staying longer! I will definitely be back in the future!

Overall I had an amazing experience with Ivhq. I volunteered in Cape Town South Africa and I have never been so in love with a place. The culture and the people are truly amazing. I volunteered in a town ship with grade three and loved every minute of it! The kids are so kind and you can tell they truly love the help you have to offer. This experience will forever have such a big impact on me and changed me as a person. I would definitely recommend this to anyone:)

I have already done 3 programs with IVHQ, and this is just the beginning! Costa Rica to teach English, Fiji for childcare, and Thailand to teach. Each program has been magical! The experience is supported, from the application process through post program reflection, and everything in between. Safety, support, encouragement, insight, and perspective are all the things IVHQ provides and more! You get to meet people from around the world, and then come together for a common purpose. Already planning my next adventure, and I can't wait!

My impressions of the foundation was mostly positive. There was some room for improvement but I was highly impressed by the work being done on the school and the farm. The plans for further development were promising and showcased the organization's commitment to enhancing the lives of the children and the community. I had the opportunity to engage in one-to-one counseling sessions with the children, which was an incredibly insightful and meaningful experience. These sessions allowed me to connect with the children on a deeper level and provided them with a safe space to express some of the emotional challenges and heartaches they had experienced. It was clear that these sessions were highly beneficial both for the children and for me as a volunteer.My time at your foundation was an incredibly fulfilling and heartwarming experience. I genuinely looked forward to each day spent with the kids, and it quickly became one of my favorite memories from this volunteering program. I was deeply touched by the children's gratitude and enthusiasm. My time in the health clinic had both positive and challenging aspects. While the nurses were friendly and welcoming, and I appreciated their willingness to explain the circumstances, I did feel that the clinic was somewhat unorganized. There were occasions when we found ourselves waiting with little to do. It was evident that the lack of patients was a contributing factor to this issue. During our time at the hospital, I noticed that we had the chance to interact more with patients, gaining valuable insights into mental health in Ghana. This experience was not only eye-opening but also instrumental in our understanding of the local mental health landscape. I had the opportunity to participate in the community health outreach program, and I must say it was my favorite part of the entire volunteering experience. Interacting with the local community, reaching out to individuals in need, and providing essential health services was incredibly rewarding. It allowed me to directly connect with the people we were there to serve and make a positive impact on their lives. I had the opportunity to participate in several outreach programs and field visits during my time in Ghana. The most educational and profoundly life-changing aspect of my volunteering experience was the time spent at the psychiatric hospital. Sitting in counseling sessions and witnessing the conditions and atmosphere within the wards gave me a true, unfiltered reflection of Ghana's mental health landscape. The educational value of this experience cannot be overstated; it provided me with valuable insights into the mental health challenges faced by the local population. It deepened my understanding of the intricacies of mental health in Ghana and the urgent need for improved mental health services and support. On a personal level, this experience was truly life-changing. It broadened my perspective, instilled a deep sense of empathy, and ignited a passion within me to contribute to mental health initiatives and advocacy. It was an experience that will stay with me, shaping my outlook and future endeavours in a profound way I strongly believe that my placement in Ghana will significantly benefit my ongoing studies and career progression. One of the most valuable takeaways from this experience is the unique perspective I've gained into multicultural mental health. This placement has equipped me with a deeper understanding of mental health challenges within a diverse cultural context. It has provided insights into the cultural factors that influence mental health, as well as the variations in approaches to treatment and support. This perspective will undoubtedly be a valuable asset in my ongoing studies and future career in psychology or related fields. As I pursue my studies and career, I can draw upon the cultural competence and awareness I've developed during my time in Ghana. It will enable me to provide more effective, culturally sensitive care and support to individuals from diverse backgrounds.

I completed clinic work, mural painting at the children's home, and leading a therapy session in the psychiatric hospital. Had 1:1 sessions as well with a few kids, and i would have loved more of that as well as group therapy time. I loved working with the children and bonding with the amazing team. It was a bit of a culture shock, especially experiencing cultural views around mental health. I got to do art therapy murals and counseling as well as psychoeducation - It helped me get my art therapy registration!

My first impression of the Foundation was that it was full of joy and love. For the most part, I got on well with the other volunteers. I interacted lots with the children at the foundation. Particularly, there was one day when we managed to speak to some children individually after reading their files -- this was a very interesting experience, and I wish I could have done more of this to give the children a listening ear. I hope I impacted the children positively. I also sat in on counselling sessions at the Psychiatric Hospital and went to the local hospitals, as well as the traditional hospital. Perhaps more could have been done to inform me of what exactly I would be doing at the hospitals and at Becky's, so that I could prepare more. It is really so different from everything I have experienced before, and I hope to be able to be involved in improving these systems somehow in the future.

I havnt got any complaints from my trip through IVHQ. Every single part of the trip was perfect from the organisation to the welcoming coordinators. I’m only 17 but I felt so safe and supported through the whole process. Thank you for this opportunity!

My volunteer experience in Thailand was truly rewarding. The program was well-organized, and the staff were supportive throughout. What stood out most was the real impact—even small contributions made a difference in the local community. It also helped me grow personally by becoming more adaptable, independent, and open-minded. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone considering volunteering abroad.

The team was very nice. It was educational learning about and understanding how life was in Ghana and the reality in prisons. It gave me a broader perspective on criminology issues. At the weekends we went to Kakum National Park, The Castle in Cape Coast and explored Accra; on evenings we mainly relaxed. It's an experience that will stick with you for your whole life.

Teaching in Ubud, Bali was one of the most beautiful and meaningful experiences of my life. I came expecting to help and give, but I ended up receiving so much more. The children were incredibly kind, respectful, and full of joy. What impacted me the most was how grateful they were for everything;even the smallest things. They would smile constantly, show affection in the purest ways, and even gift me candies as a way to say thank you. Those small gestures meant more than they probably realized. Every day felt special. Being able to connect with them, teach them, laugh with them, and see their excitement to learn was something I will never forget. The environment was welcoming, and the staff made everything smooth and supportive, allowing us to truly focus on making a difference. This experience changed my perspective in the best way possible. It reminded me how powerful kindness, gratitude, and human connection can be. I will always carry these memories with me, and I’m beyond grateful to have been part of something so real and meaningful.

Although some of the communication could have been better, I would definitely recommend this placement to my friends and university peers.I loved being at the foundation and spending time with the children. The children were very welcoming towards us and made us feel very comfortable. Some days were good in the clinics when we were at one of the hospitals because Alex talked us through his job and we discussed psychology and mental health issues with him. We did a presentation to a school the next day, it was terrifying but so rewarding. The most educational was the psychiatric hospital in Cape Coast, I learnt so much being there. When working there, I did counselling with patients. It was amazing and such good experience for my university degree. This placement has helped me so much with my future career getting to experience counselling for the first time as well as working with children and working in a hospital and a school.

I thought both the children's home and the hospitals were very interesting and insightful experiences. I loved meeting the children and this was defo one of the highlights for me as someone who has studied child psychology! I found the arrival quite a difficult process. In a new country after a long day of travelling, I found this quite overwhelming and intimidating, but overall I feel it has enabled me to develop my interpersonal skills with people with different cultural backgrounds, furthermore it has given me a wider perspective of the challenges faced with mental health in other countries.

The local guides informed us of a beautiful name for their islands, “The Enchanted Islands”. Given on account of their difficulty to find back in the days of ships and nautical exploration (pre-flight). Such an incredible opportunity to care for unique and endangered gentle creatures. Work was meaningful and rewarding, play time was abundant and fulfilling. One of the most beautiful places I have encountered on this Earth. IVHQ does a tremendous job preparing the traveler for what to expect.

Settling in was great as I knew exactly who to talk to if there were any issues. Myself and another volunteer had a fantastic welcome to the children's foundation. We were set with the task of counselling three children at the children's home. I always looked forward to the afternoons with the children. I feel I made an impact at the home and it was amazing to develop bonds with some of the kids. Ankaful psychiatric hospital is where we gained our most hands-on experience with psychiatric patients. I found the clinics so educational. I would say that, particularly due to the nature of this placement, and mental health awareness in Ghana, volunteers should be aware that there is a difference in approaches and there is some work to spread awareness of mental health topics, such as depression and anxiety. I think volunteers should be prepared to go in with an open mind and be encouraged to have the moto that "you get out what you put in" - so just don't hold back, say yes to everything (within reason) and go looking for experiences above and beyond. It is nothing like one can experience in the UK and just gives a fresh perspective on life. It has made me appreciate so much more of life.

I enjoyed meeting new people from around the world and the fact that we were in the middle of the city like a local which gave it very realistic feel. A Medical internship with Intern Abroad HQ is such a thorough and amazing experience for those who want to travel and learn in their field.