For a volunteer program I have chosen helping in an orphanage in Ghana, I love children, especially the joy that they can bring to you, so I would love the chance to give some of that joy back to the children in the situations that they find themselves in. If you are bored of your life at the moment and feel that you want to something more amazing with your life, than you need to stop being so selfish, get off your backside, read this blog and than go volunteer someone where you can help these lovely and amazing children who have next to nothing. So have I got your attention, good thats what I wanted.
Now after that very touching intro 
, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Joanna and I am a student at Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin, I am studying Travel and Tourism and hoping to get a diploma out of it so I can have qualifications to get a good job in tourism which will lead to travel lol.
The reason that I chose this volunteer program is that Ghana is said to be one of the friendliest and warm welcoming countries in Africa. Located on the western side of Africa, it is home to beautiful beaches, wild savannah and dense rainforests. Coupled with its beautiful and exciting culture it certainly entices me to go there for a chance to experience not only tourism but also a close and personal experience with its people. So volunteering is the best way to do that as you work side by side with the people of Ghana and you find a purpose in helping the children.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mQxp2uICdU
Before we get into the volunteering side of what you will be doing if you join me in this venture, I just want to tell you a little bit about Ghana so you can get an idea of what it will be like. Ghana has a very diverse culture with its different ethnic groups, such as the Ashanti which had their own empire on the inland of Ghana, the Fante and the Ga and Ewe. With its diverse culture there are many different varieties especially in cuisine, clothing.
They have many celebrations mainly for childbirth, rites of passage, puberty, marriage and death. The food in Ghanaian consists of a main dish which is normally a starchy one such as rice and is usually served with a soup or stew so you are not likely to die of food poisoning or a bad stomach here. It looks delicious to be honest with you and I bet it tastes just as good. If you want to read up a little bit more about Ghana and what it holds in store for you, click on the link for more info. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghana.
Now back to what the program consists of and other details that you will need to know if doing this program.
The orphanage you would most likely be working at is one on the outside skirts of the main city of Ghana called Accra; it would be good to get in some practice of how to say that properly so you can impress the Ghanaians with your preparation. The children who you will meet in this orphange have pretty much nothing but there enjoyment of life and the smiles on their faces. You may not gain much in materials but what you gain after being with these children who after losing everything can still smile and enjoy their lives can bring something to you that can not be found anywhere else, so you do not want to miss this.
The time you can spend on this program are two weeks, one month, two months and three months, personally I think to get the most out of the trip you would be best to stay the three months and you can add onto that if you wanted to stay for longer. The prices to do the program are $2,195 for two weeks, $2,745 for one month, $3,345 for two months, $3,995 for three months and $845 for any extra months you stay. This may seem like a lot but it pays for everything except flights which is added on to that price but I’m sure you can find a cheap airline to fly with. Your food, transfers to and from the airport, full travel and medical insurances, support and back up from the programs staff and accommodation are all included in the programs cost. Your accommodation would actually be with a host family which gives you a deeper insight into the lives of the Ghanaians which will enliven the experience. To apply which I’m sure after hearing about this wonderful experience you can to this link below and it will tell you what you need to do. http://www.projects-abroad.com.au/apply-now/.
Now I could just tell you about these amazing children that you will get to look after and make friends with but instead I am going to let others who have gone before me tell their stories of how it made an impact on them. Just a few samples are down below, to see more go to this link now. http://www.projects-abroad.co.uk/our-volunteers/testimonials/?content=by-projects/care/
“The children I worked with at the orphanage were amazing and it was so hard to leave – I’ll certainly be returning!” Emily Baumer
“This experience has made me appreciate a lot of things that I used to take for granted. I have also realized that I’d like to pursue a career working with kids.” Emily Baumer
“My stay in the Good Shepherd orphanage was incredible. Upon arrival I knew that I was well on my way to falling in love with the kids. The way they look out for one another and show such love and happiness is very inspiring. These kids have a tough life, are poorly educated, poorly looked after, yet despite sickness and any other difficulties they may have they still smile, and are undoubtedly the most friendly, kindest people that I have ever met. I remember sitting for hours one night teaching the kids different languages and learning twi from them.” Grainne Tuohy
Here is a story from Dorothy Appleyard, who volunteered at the Children’s home in Accra on this link, check it out. http://www.projects-abroad.co.uk/our-volunteers/volunteer-stories/?content=care/ghana/dorothy-appleyard/
This website is the main page of the program but it also has a short video of the children that you would be working with, http://www.projects-abroad.com.au/destinations/ghana/.
Another website with a video and ex-volunteers talking about their experience, http://www.projects-abroad.co.uk/volunteer-projects/care/ghana/
I hope that I have given enough information to make you even consider a little bit doing this program as it is well worth your while. It may not be rewarding in money but it will be rewarding to the children that you spent that time with them and memories last longer anyway.
Thank you for reading.
By Joanna Blair
References:
Projects Abroad, (13 April 2011), Volunteer and Intern in Ghana. Retrived from http://www.projects-abroad.com.au/destinations/ghana/
Projects Abroad, (13 April 2011), Ghana: Volunteer Care-Work with Children and Adults. Retrived from http://www.projects-abroad.co.uk/volunteer-projects/care/ghana/
Projects Abroad, (13 April 2011), Dorothy Appleyard – Care in Ghana. Retrived from http://www.projects-abroad.co.uk/our-volunteers/volunteer-stories/?content=care/ghana/dorothy-appleyard/
Project Abroad, (13 April 2011), Testimonials – By Projects – Care. Retrievd from http://www.projects-abroad.co.uk/our-volunteers/testimonials/?content=by-projects/care/
Projects Abroad, (13 April 2011), Prices in Australian Dollars, AUD. Retrieved from http://www.projects-abroad.com.au/prices/
Projects Abroad, (13 April 2011), Apply to volunteer overseas with Projects Abroad. Retrieved from http://www.projects-abroad.com.au/apply-now/
Wikipedia, (13 April 2011), Ghana. Retrievd from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghana
Wikipedia, (13 April 2011), Ghanaian cuisine. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghanaian_cuisine
