Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Below
is a list of answers to questions we get asked regularly about volunteering in 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 provide Airport pickup and Accommodation. We also provide meals (Breakfast
& Dinner), free Internet Access, social activities, letter of completion
and 24/7 in country support. 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.
When
should I apply for my Visa? Most Ghanaian embassies only allow you
to apply no earlier than 3 months before your scheduled departure. It is not
always necessary to book a return flight beforehand as long as you can prove
you have the neccessary financial means to support yourself for a prolonged
period of time. For specifics you will need to query this with your local
embassy.
8. Will you be arranging my Visa? No, although we will assist you with supporting documents the visa application is processed and applied by you. In most countries it’s a fairly easy process to apply for by you online however they may request further documentation. As an organisation we are able to assist in providing; invitation letters, ID of inviting host, visa references and proof of address.
9.
Which
airport do I need to fly into? Kotoka International
Airport in Accra is Ghana’s only major international airport so all flights
will land here into Terminal 3 mostly.
10. When do I need to pay my placement fees? The
remaining balance of your program fees is due no later than 3 months before
your arrival date to secure your space with us throughout your stay; you are
able to pay via card or a direct bank transfer with the details
below:
Pay
by debit/credit card or Apply Pay
To place your initial deposit for your
application using MasterCard/Visa card or Apple pay please click here.
Bank Transfer
Account Name: ADJAH
CANCER SUPPORT GHANA LBG
Account Number: 00615263803503
Bank Name:
United Bank for Africa (Ghana) Ltd
Branch: Abossey Okai
Swift Code:
STBGGHAC
Branch Sort Code: 060601
Country: Ghana
Currency: Ghana Cedis
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. Can I get any financial help to sponsor my
trip? Yes you can! You
can use http://www.fundmytravel.com/
to raise funds for your trip.
14. 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:
o Organizing your Volunteer Placement
o Accommodation
o Meals(Breakfast & Dinner)
o Free Internet Access
o Airport Pickup Service
o Orientation and City Tour
o 24/7 in-country Support
o Letter of Completion
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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!
18. How short or long can I volunteer for? All our projects have a minimum commitment of 2 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. 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).
22. 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!
23. What hours will I be working? Your exact hours depend on the project. But
generally you will be working from Monday to Thursday for 6 hours a day.
24. Can vegetarians be catered for in this
program? Yes. We can cater for
most dietary requirements.
25. Is the water safe to drink? We drink bottled water in Ghana. You will be
expected to buy your own drinking water.
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. 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.
Ghanaian
National Holidays:
o January 1 - New Year
o March 6 - Independence Day
o March or April - Good Friday
o Easter Monday
o May 1 - Labour Day
o May 25 - Africa Day
o July 1 - Republic Day
o 1st Friday in December Farmers' Day
o December 25 - Christmas Day
o December 26 - Boxing Day
29. 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.
30. What immunizations/vaccines will I need? Along
with your visa you will also require a yellow fever vaccination certificate and
be required to produce both of these documents upon arrival to the airport in
Ghana.
You may also wish to consider travel insurance
& anti malarial medication. 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
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 your
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 you 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.