Frequently Asked Questions

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FAQs

Below is a list of answers to questions we get asked regularly about volunteering Ghana. We are sure you will find your question here but if you don't get your answer here, just send us an email and we will answer any questions you have.

  1. Why do I need to pay to volunteer? Guess what? You are not actually paying to volunteer! The fees are used to organize and manage a great volunteer placement for you. We want you to be able to leave home confident that your volunteer vacation will go smoothly. We cover your Travel Insurance, Airport pickup and Accommodation 3 things to give you peace of mind. We also provide meals, free Internet Access, social activities, letter of completion and 24/7 in country support from our local staff. We look after our volunteers and make sure we are on hand to deal with any and all situations that arise. So you are actually paying for peace of mind on your volunteer vacation!
  2. Which countries do your volunteers come from? Our volunteers have come from all over the world! So far we have had volunteers from The United States of America ( USA), Australia, The United Kingdom ( UK), Canada, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, Spain , Malta, Croatia, Austria, Ireland, Panama, United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Africa, Greece, Puerto Rico and we look forward to meeting people from many more countries!
  3. Can I volunteer with a group of friends, colleagues, or relatives? Volunteering in a group can be a lot of fun! To know which projects are suitable for groups, click on the project you would like to do, and the Project Overview will tell you if that project can be done as a group or not. So go ahead and organize your family, friends or colleagues so you can all experience volunteering together. What's more, we offer discounts for groups of 3 or more!
  4. Do I need any specific skills to volunteer? No you don't. Any experience is a plus, but many volunteers don't have experience in the area they are volunteering in. But please do some research to learn what you can so you are as prepared as you can be!
  5. Do I have to be a minimum or maximum age to volunteer? We have no maximum age, and indeed have had volunteers in their 60s on our program. Anyone from 18+ can volunteer. Volunteers who are 17 can volunteer on their own but with written parental authority. Volunteers between 10 and 16 can volunteer with a parent or guardian and with written parental consent. For those who would like to volunteer with younger children, please email us, sometimes projects can be flexible.
  6. Do I need to speak another language to volunteer? To volunteer in Ghana the only language you will need is English
  7. How do I pay my fees? To reserve your place on any of our projects please contact us using our online form. We will provide you will and application form and most volunteers pay their fees using PayPal or by Card Paymen online.
  8. Is there any time of year when I can't volunteer? You can volunteer at any time, but during national and local holidays some projects will be closed. For example school based projects are closed during school holidays over Easter, Christmas and summer. Our program information outlines all projects and their open and closed periods. Depending on what you want to do and how long you wish to volunteer, we can sometimes organize special projects for you during prolonged closed times. Just email us.
  9. Is it possible to choose multiple projects? Yes you can! You can do multiple projects back to back and only be charged the price of the one project.
  10. Can I get any financial help to sponsor my trip? We have partnered with several funding organisations that you can use to raise funds for your trip.
    http://www.volunteerforever.com/
    http://www.fundmytravel.com/
  11. What's included in my program fee? As part of your basic program we have included all the services that we think should be standard in your volunteer placement abroad.
    • Our services include:
    • Organizing your Volunteer Placement
    • Accommodation
    • Meals
    • Free Internet Access
    • Airport Pickup Service
    • Travel Insurance
    • Orientation and City Tour
    • 24/7 in-country Support
    • Social Activities
    • Letter of Completion
  12. Can I read details of the Travel Insurance policy prior to booking? Yes. Please follow this link: http://www.volunteercard.com/insurance/
  13. Are flights included? Paying for and Booking your flight is your responsibility. When you make your booking we will provide all the information you need to know about your Arrival and Pick Up.
  14. Do I need an entry visa (and how do I obtain this)? Volunteers from North America, Australia, New Zealand and Europe will have to apply for a tourist visa at the nearest Ghana embassy. We will provide you with documentation to support your Ghana visa application.
  15. Do I need travel insurance? When you book with GHVN you automatically receive a 365 day multiple 90 day trip travel insurance policy which caters specifically to volunteers. You therefore do not need to pay for extra travel insurance so long as your trip is within the policy guidelines. Please see Travel Insurance for details.
  16. Do I need specific qualifications to volunteer on these projects? No you don't. Any experience is a plus, but many volunteers don't have experience in the area they are volunteering in. But please do some research to learn what you can so you are as prepared as you can be!
  17. How short or long can I volunteer for? All our projects have a minimum commitment of 1 to 4 weeks. We advise that you dedicate as much time as you can manage to the projects however because you, the project and the people you will be helping will get more out of the experience the longer you can commit. The optimal length would be 4 to 12 weeks if you can manage it.
  18. Will I be working with other volunteers? You will be staying in your accommodation with other volunteers who may be placed on your project or on another project. For the majority of time there will be other volunteers in your accommodation.
  19. What is the accommodation like? Our volunteer house is a modern well fitted house with all the mod cons you will need to live in Ghana. It is located in a safe compound and you are integrated with the local community and our extended friends and family.
  20. What is the climate like in Ghana? In Ghana, the average temperature is about 30 degrees Celsius or 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Although it is hot all year round, there are 2 main seasons, the dry (November to March) and rainy season (April to June).
  21. Are we able to do any travelling and sightseeing? Yes! You only work from Monday to Thursday for most projects leaving you long weekends to travel and see the rest of the country. Your Coordinators will help you to organize your travel and give you tips on where to go and what to do. A lot of the time volunteers travel together and sometimes people go off on their own, whatever you fancy!
  22. What hours will I be working? Your exact hours depends on the project. But generally you will be working from Monday to Thursday for 6 hours a day.
  23. Can vegetarians be catered for in this program? Yes. We can cater for most dietary requirements. After you have made your reservation online, we will send you documents to complete which will ask you about your dietary requirements. Don't hesitate to remind us when you get there!
  24. Is the water safe to drink? We drinking bottled water in Ghana. You will be expected to buy your own drinking water.
  25. What is local transportation like? In Ghana, the main method of transportation is either taxis or "trotro" which is a small minibus. You will be shown how to use these methods of transport. If you are travelling long distances you are more like to use their larger buses.
  26. What clothing is appropriate for the program? Please wear modest attire and avoid very short skirts, shirts and low cut tops. Prior to your arrival you will be provided with further information advising of the dress code for the specific project.
  27. Are there holidays or festivals I should be aware of when traveling? During national and local holidays some projects will be closed. For example school based projects are closed during school holidays over Easter, Christmas and summer (summer holidays differ in each country).
    • Ghanaian National Holidays:
    • January 1 - New Year
    • March 6 - Independence Day
    • March or April - Good Friday
    • Easter Monday
    • May 1 - Labour Day
    • May 25 - Africa Day
    • July 1 - Republic Day
    • 1st Friday in December Farmers' Day1
    • December 25 - Christmas Day
    • December 26 - Boxing Day
  28. Are there any cultural or custom traditions I should be aware of? Yes. Please be respectful of the customs and cultures of Ghana. During your in-country orientation, you will be advised of the most important ones. As always please be respectful to people even if you don't understand or agree with their way of life.
  29. What immunizations/vaccines will I need? We recommend that you seek advice from your medical practitioner once you have reserved your spot on the program. You can also check the Center for Disease Control traveler's health recommendations www.cdc.gov
  30. Do program fees include health insurance while I'm abroad? The Insurance policy that is included in the program fee covers Accident Medical Expenses and Sickness Medical Expenses in the basic package. Click here for further information on Travel Insurance.
  31. What credit cards are accepted in Ghana? Are there ATMs available in the town? Do they accept US dollars? In Ghana you can use your Visa and Mastercard debit or credit cards. Please notify your bank that you will be using your card in Ghana and the dates you will be away so that they will enable it. Also bring along around 100 US Dollars in small notes to get you through your first days in Ghana. During your orientation you will be shown where your nearest ATM is.
  32. How much money do I need in-country? In Ghana: $5 - $7 per day should cover you lunch, a couple of drinks, transportation to your project and weekend meals. The amount of money you need during weekends depends on how much traveling and activities you would like to do, how much you eat out etc.
  33. Are there any more expenses when I arrive? Apart from our program fees are expected to pay for transportation to work, water, lunches, weekend travel, and entertainment.
  34. Can I speak to the people I will be volunteering with? Once your booking has been finalized, you will be introduced to your local coordinator. Getting nearer to the time she/he will be able to provide you details of those who will be volunteering at the same time as you.
  35. What is the easiest way to communicate with friends/family back home? Should I bring a phone? The cheapest way to keep in contact with folks at home is via Skype. If you are not staying in the dorm you will have access to internet through local internet cafes, although it may not be daily access depending on the project.

    If your cell phone is GSM-compatible and accepts a removable SIM card, then you can use it in Ghana, by simply buying a local SIM card for around $1 and buying credit as needed. Just make sure your phone is not locked to your network. Phone credit is inexpensive and easily available.
  36. Is there internet access nearby? There is free internet access in your accommodation. If you are on the National Parks Project which requires you to live on site, you can access the internet from local cafes but the frequency will depend on the project.

Download Our Program Brouche

Our PDF brouche contains all you need to know about GHVN. Please download and read this document before booking. Our program described simply and its easy to read.